Pentagon officials met with Syrian opposition fighters this week to formulate a plan for training and equipping its members to battle back the Islamic State, which has taken over the oil rich parts of the war-ravaged country.
Syria Director Daniel Rubinstein, U.S. special envoy for the country, met with opposition leaders in Istanbul, Turkey, on Jan. 12 and Jan. 13, according to a Jan. 14 Defense Department statement.
“These meetings provided an important opportunity to introduce and discuss the U.S. train and equip program with members of the moderate political and armed opposition and to gain a better understanding of conditions on the ground in Syria,” the statement reads. “All participants recognized the need for continued focus on this important program and the need for further discussions.”
Pentagon officials expect to implement the Obama administration’s $500 million plan to train and equip 5,000 Syrian opposition fighters to combat Islamic State militants this year. Saudi Arabia has already indicated that it would play a key role in the training plan
The high-level meetings come just as the U.S. military is beginning to tout its success training and advising the Iraqi army. Army officials posted pictures on social media site Flickr of Iraqi soldiers learning to use weapons at Camp Taji, Iraq, on Jan. 7.
• Maggie Ybarra can be reached at mybarra@washingtontimes.com.
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