President Obama has reportedly issued secret authorization for the United States to support rebels seeking to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Citing unnamed U.S. officials, the Reuters news agency reports Obama has signed an intelligence “finding” directing the CIA and other agencies to aid Syria’s armed opposition. The United States is said to be taking part in a “nerve center” backing the rebels from a secret base in Turkey near the Syrian border. The full extent of the U.S. role remains unclear. NBC News, meanwhile, is reporting the opposition group, Free Syrian Army, has just received a weapons shipment from Turkey that includes two dozen surface to air missiles for use against the Syrian regime’s fleet of aircraft.
Report: Obama Authorizes Secret U.S. Backing for Syrian Rebels
HeadlineAug 02, 2012