WASHINGTON: The American military drones are now providing combat air support for Syrian rebels trained and equipped by the U.S against Al Qaeda militants.
According to Jeff Davis, the drones will provide “defensive fire support” for the rebels against attacks by al Qaeda-affiliated, Syrian-based Nusra Front militants, spokesman Capt.
The drones will also protect against potential attacks from the Syrian military.
On Friday, manned American warplanes launched airstrikes against 50 militants believed to be from al Nusra who had launched an attack against an unknown number of U.S.-trained Syrian rebels. The assault force retreated, and there were no casualties reported among the rebels.
So far the U.S. has trained only 54 Syrian rebels, far short of the 5,400 the U.S. hopes to have trained and equipped by the end of this year.
