British military to train Syrian opposition groups to fight ISIL

The British defense secretary has unveiled plans to train militant groups fighting government forces in Syria. Michael Fallon says the plan is aimed to counter ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

Fallon said on Thursday that the training of “moderate Syrian opposition forces” will begin within weeks in Turkey and other regional countries.

Under the plan, London will send around 75 military personnel to Turkey to instruct the so-called moderate groups how to use small arms, infantry tactics and medical skills.

"Defeating ISIL ultimately lies with local forces and we are helping to create effective ground forces in Syria, as well as in Iraq, so they can take the fight to ISIL," Fallon said.

"The question of ISIL cannot be taken separately from the overall British strategy. If the British government decides who should and should not be the government of Syria, whatever moves it makes against ISIL, will come under that", says Jim Brann from Stop the War Coalition. 

'Nexus with terrorists'

Britain and the United States are key backers of militant groups waging wars against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad since 2011. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey are some of the regional backers of anti-Syria plots.

Despite repeated warnings from Damascus, militant groups were aided and financed by the West and its regional allies. But anti-Syria plot backfired as the Arab country turned into a breeding ground for the ISIL Takfiri terrorists.

'US-led coalition'

Britain’s announcement to train “moderate terrorists” comes at a time Syrian and Iraqi forces are continuing with their own successful anti-terrorist operations.  

The British defense secretary says the plan is part of the US-led coalition against ISIL terrorists.

“Britain remains at the forefront of coalition military efforts to support the Iraqi government in their fight against ISIL”, he said. 

Since last September, the US and some of allies have been conducting airstrikes against the ISIL positions in Iraq. They have been conducting airstrikes inside Syria without any authorization from Damascus or a UN mandate. However, the coalition has failed to thwart ISIL in both the countries.

"When the British and the US governments say that only local forces can deal with the problem, I think they have been deceptive.  Because that mean they like to decide for the overall situation. But they don’t want to risk American or British troops", said Brann.    

Real gains against ISIL have been made by the Iraqi army, backed by volunteer forces and tribesmen. Secretary General of the Badr Organization, Hadi al-Amiri says there is no need for the participation of coalition aircraft in the ongoing anti-ISIL operation.

“Iraqi forces have liberated about 8000 square kilometers of land in Salaheddin province over the past 11 days, without the help of the US-led airstrikes”, al-Amiri said. 

HH/SKL

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