(Guardian-UK) Julian Borger and Nick Hopkins - Western training of Syrian rebels is under way in Jordan in an effort to strengthen secular elements in the opposition as a bulwark against Islamic extremism. Jordanian security sources say the training effort is led by the U.S., but involves British and French instructors. British and French officials say new EU rules have given the green light to start providing military training for rebel fighters as long as the ultimate aim is "the protection of civilians." The Western training in Jordan has been going on since last year and is focused on senior Syrian army officers who defected. A Jordanian source said there had so far been no "green light" for the rebel forces being trained to be sent into Syria.
2013-03-11 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive