Orlhan Sattarov, the head of the European bureau of Vestnik Kavkaza
According to exclusive information from Spigel, American military instructors have been teaching Syrian rebels for several months in neighboring Jordan. About 200 Syrians have already passed the course of using modern antitank weapons. The editorial was told about this by initiators of the military-training bases.
Spigel believes that the USA has changed a strategic course in the Syrian conflict: previously Washington supported the Syrian opposition only politically, but now we can see a military support.
At the same time, it is not clear whether American instructors are working for private military companies or directly for the American government, the periodical states. In next 45 days it is planned to train more than 600 Syrian rebels of the Free Syrian Army in two camps situated in Jordan.
Jordan special services are actively cooperating with three field commanders of the FSA, who have influence in Daraa. According to Spigel, they plan to establish a regiment called “Unity of South” which will include 10 thousand soldiers. Jordan rejects cooperation with Islamists because they afraid that after returning from Syria they would disturb the situation in Jordan.
Spigel says that even though a part of weaponry has been allocated to rebels, its major part is still staying in Jordan. The weaponry was paid by Saudi Arabia which required that it would be given to the FSA only if it formed the common commanding structure in Daraa. The majority of purchased armaments is from Libya.
The neighbors of Syria continue to compete for influence in this country. Turkey and Qatar are supporting the Muslim Brotherhood, while Jordan and Saudi Arabia are relying on the FSA.
Spigel reminds that recently the EU has allowed sending military instructors for Syrian rebels to Syria. Brussels thinks that military consultants from the UK and France will take part in this.
