The Pentagon is cutting ties with a group of Syrian opposition fighters after they started targeting regime forces instead of ISIS, officials said Thursday.
The group, known as Shuhada Al-Qaryatayn, had been receiving training and weapons from US-led coalition forces in southern Syria.
They “unilaterally, without US or coalition permission or coordination,” conducted patrols outside a specified zone and engaged in “activities not focused on fighting ISIS,” coalition spokesman Colonel Ryan Dillon.
The group have been “important partners in the fight against ISIS in southern Syria. However, the coalition will no longer support their operations,” Dillon added.
Shuhada Al-Qaryatayn are based in the area around Al-Tanf, where the coalition operates a training garrison near the border crossing with Jordan.
Dillon said the coalition would attempt to retrieve the military equipment that had been provided to the group. He did not say how many fighters were in the group.
Also Read
-
Clashes rock Syria truce zone as regime air strikes rebel-held areas
Clashes erupted overnight in a rebel-held enclave outside Damascus, which was also hit by government air strikes despite a truce deal, a monitor said ... Middle East -
Former Qaeda affiliate takes control of Syria’s Idlib after rebel pull-out
A former al-Qaeda affiliate took control of the northern Syrian city of Idlib on Sunday two days after agreeing to end fighting with a rebel group, a ... Middle East -
US official confirms CIA ending support for Syria rebels
The head of the US military’s special operations confirmed Friday that the Central Intelligence Agency is shutting down its program to support ... Middle East -
Clashes intensify in Syria’s Idlib between rebel groups
Clashes in Syria’s Idlib province between a powerful militant group and a key rebel faction intensified overnight, spreading to a border ... Middle East
