Adonis Diaries

President Obama has said that the U.S. has only provided non-lethal aid to Syrian rebels. U.S. officials and rebel commanders told the Los Angeles Times that the CIA and U.S. special operatives have secretly trained rebels in the use of anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapons since 2012.  (June 21, 2013, 5:44 p.m.)

Rebels have had a difficult time holding onto territory. As the fighting has dragged on, the Syrian government has given up control of most of the north in favor of the coast and the south. Rebel control of territory is divided between the FSA and religious extremist factions that gain local favor with handouts.  (Sept. 5, 2013, 6:02 a.m.)

Not all of the fighters in the FSA come from the ranks of the Syrian army and not all of the rebels are affiliated with the FSA. Concerns about religious extremists, particularly those with ties to Al-Qaeda such as Jabhat al-Nusra and the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, have persisted.  (Sept. 5, 2013, 6:59 a.m.)

Media descriptions of the rebels vary. Those opposed to the Syrian government like Qatar’s Al Jazeera tend to play up the FSA, while those with the government like Hezbollah’s Al Manar emphasize the role of religious extremists. Western press often say the FSA is divided and competes with extremists.  (Sept. 5, 2013, 1:17 p.m.)

While the FSA has at times fought beside fighters in religious groups, the 2 have become increasingly opposed. The FSA has also split from official political opposition groups and been accused of brutality. All these factors have raised questions as to who will control Syria after fighting ends.