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Obama Directs CIA to Support Rebels in Syria

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  • Description

    Violence continues

  • Duration 2:10
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Hi John well a senior US official tells fox that the president signed what is known in the intelligence community.

As a finding directing the CIA and other agencies to provide support.

To the Syrian opposition the CIA declined to comment however the finding which was signed months ago we're told.

Stop shorts -- stopped short of allowing United States government to provide weapons to the Syrian opposition fighters.

The US Treasury Department however reportedly issued a license last month.

That would clear the way for private nongovernmental.

Nonprofit groups to provide money to the armed insurgents which could be used for weapons.

Loosening of this loosening of restrictions that occurred.

With little fanfare we're told last month.

Now the CIA has been helping the Syrian opposition with nonlethal support for some time helping them with commanding control issues but stopping short of providing weapons.

At a base in Turkey near a Donna the US has a large air base nearby at -- -- Meanwhile the fighting is intensifying in my many -- As president Bashar is potential last stand in -- left so.

This amateur video shows the opposition fighters targeting a government fighter jet.

The government of Qatar and Saudi Arabia have been providing weapons and support to the fighters.

Including recent report suggesting the opposition now has shoulder launched surface to air missiles they couldn't help even a fight with the Asad regime.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta declined to comment recently about.

Any change in the US position toward helping the Syrian opposition bring down president aside.

Key right now is to.

Continue.

To bring that pressure on Syria.

To provide assistance to the opposition.

And to provide whatever kind of humanitarian aid we -- To assist -- are refugees.

It's notable that a day after a suicide bomber took out most -- president -- national security team.

The first news reports began appearing about the quiet assistance the US and others are providing what appears to be a more organized opposition from bases in Turkey.

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