Syrian Rebels Being Armed By CIA Funded Weapons

Syrian rebels are being helped by CIA-funded weapons, according to a US official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Reports of CIA funded weapons in Syria were first discussed by the Washington Post.

The official says:

“That is something we are not going to dispute, but we are not going to publicly speak to it.”

The CIA is providing non-American manufactured weapons, choosing to organize for their purchase and delivery.

According to the official, the Syrian rebels began receiving the new stockpile of weapons two weeks ago.

The CIA is providing the fighters in Syria with light weapons, anti-tank weapons, and ammunition.

While the official confirms the CIA-funded weapons transfer, both the Syrian National Coalition and the Free Syrian Army deny receiving any help from the United States.

According to Free Syrian Army Political and Media Coordinator Louay al-Mokdad:

“We have some promises from the U.S. administration of shipment of weapons in a short period of time, but until now we have not received any… We have logistical help, but we didn’t get weapons until now. We hope that in the next short period of time we will start receiving weapons, because we have promises from EU countries and the U.S. that they will help us and support us.”

Before the CIA began sending weapons to the Syrian rebels, they were providing non-lethal help in the form of body armor, night vision goggles, and other basic military equipment.

During a Google+ Hangout discussion on Tuesday, Secretary of State John Kerry said “many of the items that people complained were not getting to them are now getting to them.” Kerry did not elaborate on the nature of those items.

The weapons cache was approved by Congress after it was determined that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had used chemical weapons on a small scale.