GOP rep: Arming Syrian rebels ‘demands ongoing scrutiny’

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) warned that arming Syrian rebels to fight against Sunni militant group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) could have unintended consequences.

Fortenberry said he generally supported President Obama’s strategy to defeat ISIS but had concerns about arming Syrian rebels to support the effort.

{mosads}”I believe overall the strategy deserves support,” Fortenberry said. “One component of the president’s strategy demands ongoing scrutiny: arming and training ‘moderate’ Syrian rebels to fight against ISIL.”

The Nebraska Republican said the unstable situation in Syria could result in unreliable allies in the rebels. 

“Shifting loyalties in the Middle East make it difficult to vet supposed moderate groups. Additionally, if they were defeated, more U.S. arms might end up in the hands of ISIL. We must ensure that we do not worsen an already terrible situation,” Fortenberry said.

In June, Fortenberry offered an amendment to the fiscal 2015 Defense appropriations bill that would prohibit funds from being used to provide weapons in Syria. It was defeated on a vote of 167-244. Sixty-four Democrats and 103 Republicans voted for the amendment.