MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The United States, doubting the legitimacy of the Syrian government, has been supporting moderate Syrian opposition through training and equipment programs. The new rules authorize attacks even on the Syrian government forces if they clash with the US-trained groups.
“President Barack Obama has authorized using air power to defend a new US backed fighting force in Syria if it is attacked by Syrian government forces or other groups,” the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday.
According to the Wall Street Journal, US officials consider that this decision finalized the discussion about the role of US army in the Syrian conflict.
Last week, the US aviation had already conducted airstrikes to protect the New Syria Force, which is the US-trained group fighting in Syria, after it was attacked by al-Qaida’s Syrian affiliate.
Syria has been in a state of a civil war since 2011. Government forces have been fighting numerous extremist groups, including Islamic State and the Nusra Front.
