US promises more ammo for Syrian Arabs

The United States will airdrop more ammunition to the Syrian Arab Coalition following what a spokesman described as a successful operation using the previous batch.

“We will see continued resupply of forces,” said Army Col. Steven Warren, spokesman of the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

{mosads}The Syrian Arab Coalition is a contingent of about a dozen rebel groups with vetted leaders who have worked with the United States in the past.

The operation involved an offensive attack in the ISIS-controlled town of al-Hawl. About 1,000 rebels reportedly took 255 square kilometers of ground and killed 79 ISIS fighters. They were aided by 17 U.S. airstrikes and used the U.S.-supplied ammunition, Warren said.

“The Syrian Arab Coalition showed us valor,” he said. “They showed us something here, and we’re pleased with that.”

Last month, the United States airdropped 50 tons of ammunition meant for the Syrian Arabs. While officials then said they were confident the Arabs received the ammunition, they had asked for proof.

The airdrop came after the United States suspended a program to train and equip rebels outside of Syria before sending them back into the war-torn country, and instead supply vetted rebel leaders with equipment.

The al-Hawl operation was not a large tactical action, and the area is not densely populated. But, Warren said, the operation somewhat justifies the new program.

“It’s not a complete validation, I want to be clear,” he said. “But we’re encouraged.”

 Whether future airdrops will also include weapons has yet to be decided, he said.