US Faces Challenges over Training Militants in Syria

Local Editor

The US military was facing new problems over recruiting and training militants in Syria because of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on Wednesday dozens of the trainees quit during Ramadan that began in mid-June.

"There's a lot of folks that are interested in being with their families during that period, and so we may see after Ramadan that some of the ones we lost may come back," he declared.

"At the end of the day, we need credible, moderate partners on the ground," Dempsey said. "We certainly won't take any shortcuts on vetting, however, because of the risk that would pose not only to our own forces, but to the ultimate objectives we are trying to achieve."

Muslims in the holy month of Ramadan refrain from eating from dawn to sunset as part of a religious obligation that is meant to promote self-restraint.

Though, the Pentagon planned to train and equip 5,400 militants annually for three years, but it had failed so far.

The program was taking place in Syria's neighboring countries, including Jordan and Turkey.

Nonetheless, critics said the Obama administration was not capable to produce insurgents to proceed with its so-called plan to push back the "ISIL" Takfiri terrorists from Syria.

About 6,000 individuals had so far volunteered for the training program, but only about 1,500 passed the first stage of selection and await movement to training camps in other countries.

However, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter was confident that Washington's strategy would help defeat "ISIL".

"That is the strategy that will both provide for the victory over "ISIL" or the defeat of "ISIL"," he said Wednesday. "And then, secondly, and this is very important, for that defeat to stick and endure."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team