The US government has made it possible for Americans to donate money to help arm the Syrian rebels whilst upholding its official refusal to arm the forces opposing Bashar Al-Assad.
A Washington-based organisation with close links to the opposition, Syrian Support Group (SSG), has been given a licence that allows them to raise funds on behalf of the rebels. This leaves American donors in a unique situation that allows them to support an army that the US government is still reluctant to officially back.
The treasury license allows the SSG to supply rebels with “financial, communications, logistical and other services otherwise prohibited”
The SSG’s Director of Government Relations, Brian Sayers, described the new stance as ”a game changer in terms of funding and a sign of a gradual policy shift by the US government.”
The SSG is actively lobbying the US government to intervene in Syria by establishing a no-fly zone, though the White House remains adamant that there is no possibility of intervention before 2013.
The recent resignation of Kofi Annan as the UN Arab League envoy on Syria has further diminished hopes of a diplomatic solution in Syria.
We need your support
Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.
Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view
We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.
For more ways to donate visit https://donate.tamilguardian.com.
