Report: Congress Secretly Approved Arms for Syrian Rebels

Congress secretly approved “light arms” for the “moderate” factions among Syria’s rebels, according to a report Monday by Reuters. The weapons include rifles and anti-tank guns, though not anti-aircraft missiles, according to the report. Citing two unnamed sources, Reuters says that the weapons were approved in classified portions of recent defense appropriations bills after being stalled during the public controversy over Syria last summer.

The U.S. and other allies supporting the Syrian opposition apparently distinguish between the southern rebels, who are presumed to be in the steady control of moderate factions, and northern rebels, who are seen as being more subject to infighting and Islamist influence. The weapons to the southern rebels are reported to be passing through Jordan en route to Syria–presumably by air, or by shipment through the Red Sea port of Aqaba.