ISIS news in Syria: US to change system for rebel forces fighting terror group
The Pentagon has recently acknowledged its shortcomings that greatly affected the efforts to build a strong force of "moderate" rebels who will battle the Islamic State fighters in Syria.
While the severe mistakes resulted to the capture of two leaders and several other fighters in an attack from a Syrian affiliate in Al Qaeda late in July, the Pentagon says the body is currently discussing plans to revamp the program entirely.
The plan is to drop large numbers of fighters in considered "safer zones," while making sure they provide enough intelligence training and combat skills to the volunteers.
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In an email to The New York Times, spokesman for the American military task force training the Syrian rebels said, "As with any difficult endeavor, we expected setbacks and successes, and we must be realistic with those explanations."
Classified assessments revealed that the rebels turned out to be underprepped for an attack when they were sent back to Syria in very small numbers. Armed with small information about the enemy and received no support from the local population, the rebels failed.
Probably one of the biggest issues that affected the success of the movements was when the rebels were allowed to visit their relatives, some in refugee camps in Turkey. Reports suggest that the rebels either tipped off to their foes while on leave or just could not return to base due to the borders being closed.
The Pentagon is now planning various options for a better system that could bring more success to the rebels. One of the options being discussed is the enlargement of trained rebel groups that will be sent back to Syria. Another is the diversion of routes of deployment areas to make sure local support will be given, while the most controversial method to be added to the system is improved intelligence for the fighters to be more confident as they face their adversaries.
Meanwhile, multiple outlets report that the Pentagon is still facing difficulties in recruiting locals who are willing to fight the Islamic State, but refraining from clashing with President Bashar al-Assad's forces.
