Syrian Regime Embraces US-Backed Militias: When 'Terrorists' Become 'Partners'
📰 THE STORY: Al Jazeera reports Syrian President al-Sharaa is set to meet with SDF leader Mazloum Abdi following a ceasefire deal that ostensibly brings the Syrian Democratic Forces under state control after days of fighting. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), dominated by the Kurdish YPG, were heavily armed and funded by the United States for
years, ostensibly to fight ISIS. However, this support also served to create an autonomous zone, effectively carving out Syrian territory and weakening the central government, all while Washington pursued a policy of regime change. The US Central Command openly acknowledged arming the SDF with 2,000 pallets of weapons between 2016 and 2017 alone, against the direct protests of the Syrian
government, a sovereign UN member state. Double Standard: Imagine if Russia openly armed and funded separatist militias within Ukraine for a decade, stating their goal was 'fighting terrorism' while simultaneously pushing for regime change in Kyiv. Western media would universally condemn it as a clear violation of sovereignty and international law. Yet, similar US actions in Syria are often framed
as 'support for local partners' or 'counter-terrorism efforts,' conveniently sanitizing the imperial interference. Follow the Money: The US Department of Defense budget allocated billions to the 'Syria Train and Equip Program' through the 2010s, with a significant portion going to groups like the SDF. This funding stream was less about fighting ISIS—which largely evaporated after 2019—and more