Clinton Boosting Arms Supplies to “Moderates Opposition” in Syria Will Strengthen Terrorists

WASHINGTON- US Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s plan to increase military support to the so-called “Syrian opposition” will only fuel extremist forces and threaten global security, US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher told Sputnik.

As the November 8 election draws near the crisis in Syria remains a major issue on the campaign trail. Clinton’s hardline approach includes implementing a no-fly zone while Republican rival Donald Trump has warned that overthrowing the Syrian government will make the situation worse.

 Rohrabacher maintained that Clinton would “double down” on Obama’s “failed” strategy in Syria where the United States has spent a considerable amount of time and money on transferring arms and training factions that no Western government would want to claim as a partner.

“We already have been giving weapons to anti-government [rebels] in Syria and it has turned into a disaster,” the congressman from California suggested.

Syria’s government has been stable and has refrained from instigating violence against its neighbors, he said.

“Hillary wants the American to treat the Syrian government as if it was an enemy to the United States and a major cause of the instability and chaos and conflict in the Middle East,” Rohrabacher added.

 In September, a US-Russian brokered “ceasefire” in Syria collapsed after repeated violations by the terrorists which forced Damascus to resume a military campaign in Aleppo. The US Department of State suspended bilateral engagement with Moscow, although both sides have been participating in multilateral talks in Geneva aimed at reaching a renewed cessation of hostilities.

Moscow has argued that Washington failed to meet obligations stipulated in the “ceasefire” agreements to separate “opposition” from terrorist groups such as al-Nusra Front, while the United States has alleged that Russia and Syria have targeted civilians and so-called “moderate rebel” forces.

H.M