WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States is preparing to arm and train Syrian rebels to fight ISIS. Congress has signed off on President Obama’s plan, and he’s reiterating Thursday night that U.S. troops will not have a combat role on the ground.
“I’m pleased that Congress, a majority of Democrats and a majority of Republicans, in both the House and the Senate, have voted to support a key element of our strategy,” said the President.
Congress is still debating the best methods to take on the terrorist group. Top military leaders have developed a plan to hit ISIS targets in its stronghold in northern Syria.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says the U.S. will not be writing a blank check. “As these forces prove their effectiveness on the battlefield, we would be prepared to provide increasingly sophisticated types of assistance to the most trusted commanders and capable forces,” he said.
The Senate vote came hours after ISIS released a video of a British journalist who was kidnapped in 2012. In it, he criticizes the American and British governments for failing to negotiate for hostages.
