American intervention in Syria: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 22:31, 7 August 2022
The United States has supported the Syrian opposition diplomatically and militarily during the Syrian civil war. Prior to the war, the United States had a role in funding and organizing opposition to Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
American regional interests
Syria presents a major threat to American imperialist interests in the Middle East. The country is one of the main threats to the existence of Israel, a state that is one of America’s coconspirators in the region. The secular and Arab socialist government of Syria has found an enemy in the reactionary Wahhabist government of Saudi Arabia; the Saudis also being allies of the United States.
Israeli regional interests
Israel has illegally occupied the Golan Heights region of Syria since 1967. Syrian rebels on the Golan border have received Israeli guns and pay[1][2].
Military Bases in Syria
The United States has set up military bases in Northeastern Syria. These bases are surrounding Iran with American troops[3]. American soldiers stationed in Syria are also involved in extracting Syrian oil from the land [4].
American oil interests
Oil is a major factor driving the American intervention in Syria. The American intervention has focused on securing control of Syrian oil and gas production[5][6].
American support for Syrian rebels
The American military officially began operations to train and arm Syrian rebels in 2012[7], covert funding and armament lasted until 2017[8]. Support is now provided by the US congress passing bills that fund the rebels[9].
Moderate rebels
Most US support has been delivered to “moderate” rebel groups. What is uncertain though is just how moderate or secular these groups are. Many of the groups falling under the umbrella term “moderate rebels” are not considered moderate in any place but Syria, Muslim Brotherhood affiliated organizations for instance. Various groups descended from Iraqi Sunni jihadist organizations have also been deemed moderate by the United States.
Jihadist rebels
Military support to Jihadist organizations is officially prohibited by the American military and congress. Organizations with covert goals or even Jihadist organizations within larger organizations have received American arms and training despite the rule. There is also the cooperative relationship the moderate rebels have with Syrian branches of Al-Qaeda. Overtly extremist groups have also received support from the United States government.
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20201110142630/https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/israel-gives-secret-aid-to-syrian-rebels-1497813430
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20210117064400/https://www.rt.com/news/448818-israel-arming-rebels-admission/amp/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20200207034701/https://amp.abc.net.au/article/11855542
- ↑ https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2020/08/10/heres-the-current-us-plan-to-build-up-syrian-proxies-including-an-oilfield-guard-force/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20200421044048/https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-us-troops-syria-oil-bashar-al-assad-kurds-wisconsin-rally-1482250
- ↑ /web/20210117203827/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/25/world/middleeast/esper-troops-syria.html
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20200716232800/https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/obamas-regime-change-policy-syria/
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20210117071625/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/19/world/middleeast/cia-arming-syrian-rebels.html
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20210117074141/https://www.realcleardefense.com/2020/03/20/congress_pushes_for_syria_funding_boost_312632.html