Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
(Image source: BBC)
BY STEVEN SPARKMAN
ANCHOR CHRISTIAN BRYANT
As the fighting in Syria continues, British foreign secretary William Hague announced
new aid to the Syrian opposition. The London Evening Standard has the video.
“We will expand our support to the Syrian people and the Syrian political opposition
with an extra five million pounds in non-lethal practical assistance.”
Hague was careful to say the aid would not include weapons and that officials would carefully
vet the groups receiving support. The Los Angeles Times summarizes the equipment mentioned
in Hague’s speech.
“[T]he aid would take the form of medical supplies, including antibiotics and surgical
gear, and electronic items such as satellite phones and radio equipment … although defensive
items such as body armor for civilians could be provided.”
This is the first time the UK has given aid to groups affiliated with the rebel army.
A writer for the Telegraph says the decision to give only non-lethal aid is understandable
but kind of a moot point.
“In the end, the purpose of a rebel army is to fight. The distinction between ‘lethal’
and ‘non-lethal’ capabilities is artificial. A gun might fire a fatal bullet, but the order
to shoot may come over a satellite phone.”
But will five million pounds even make a difference? The UK has already pledged five and a half
times that amount in humanitarian aid to Syrian civilians. A reporter for Sky News says the
support is unlikely to make much of a difference on the ground.
“The real differential … is not about whether their communications is up to scratch,
it’s whether or not they can counter the airstrikes and the artillery rounds that are
raining down on them.”
A member of a Syrian opposition group agrees, telling Channel 4 the aid won’t be a game
changer. But he adds — it would be tough for Britain to come up with a more substantial
plan on its own.
“But if you think for very long term, you have to try to form some sort of solution
that can be implemented practically. … That means, perhaps, some sort of international
consensus.”
Those are the practical considerations, but politics is also at play. A reporter for the
BBC says even though five million isn’t a lot, it gives the UK the ability to say
“At least we did something.”
“They’re talking now about the inevitability of the fall of president Assad, and Britain
of course wants a voice, wants allies, in whatever dispensation comes next.”
Opposition groups say they are planning an offensive in Aleppo to retake neighborhoods
captured by the Syrian military earlier this week.