WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States needs to terminate all military training and assistance to Syrian opposition forces because it is illegal and dangerous, especially in light of Russia conducting airstrikes against ISIL positions in Syria, former CIA official Larry Johnson told Sputnik.
"It would be foolish and dangerous on the part of the United States," Johnson said on Tuesday when asked if the United States should continue training, equipping and providing aid to Syrian rebels while Russia conducts airstrikes.
Earlier on Tuesday, Senator Chris Murphy told Sputnik that the US program to train and equip moderate Syrian forces has "unwittingly" aided and abetted terrorists.
On September 30, Russia commenced precision airstrikes against ISIL targets in Syria at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
The Free Syrian Army itself, Johnson claimed, is a CIA "construct" that is part and parcel of a psychological operation designed to portray Syrian opposition forces as a Thomas Jefferson "army of democrats."
The US has been arming and funding Syrian anti-government forces since at least 2011, Johnson noted, in clear violation of international law and in stark contrast to Russia’s military operations.
"Under international law Russia is legally in Syria, having been invited by the government of Syria who is a sovereign power and still has a seat at the United Nations," Johnson claimed. "Whereas the United States is conducting illegal military operations."
Russia has targeted dozens of ISIL positions, including command centres, headquarters, multiple-launch rocket systems, T-55 tanks and other military equipment since the operation began on Wednesday.
