Pentagon now training fourth class of Syrian rebels

The Pentagon is now training a fourth class of Syrian rebels as part of the U.S. program to field a ground force to take on the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. 

{mosads}U.S. Central Command spokesman Air Force Col. Patrick Ryder told reporters on Friday that there are currently three classes in training. 

The first class of rebels deployed into Syria in July, but faced severe losses after al Qaeda affiliate al-Nusra Front kidnapped two leaders and several fighters, and the next day, attacked their headquarters, killing one and kidnapping more. 

Ryder said some of those in the first class of 54 rebels are currently conducting operations in Syria with vetted groups, but declined to state where they are due to operational security.