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Downing Street and the intelligence services have been coy when asked for a breakdown of the 70,000 moderate Syrian fighters cited by David Cameron as a force on the ground to defeat Islamic State. So far no breakdown has been forthcoming. Given that it is a key part of Cameron’s argument for extending UK airstrikes to Syria – one identified by MPs as a central weakness in the prime minister’s case – there is pressure on Downing Street and the joint intelligence committee, the umbrella group for the agencies, to provide an answer. Cameron was specific: “Although the situation on the ground is complex, our assessment is that there are around 70,000 Syrian opposition fighters on the ground who do not belong to extremist groups.” A force on the ground is needed to defeat, rather than just contain, Isis. So who are these Syrian fighters that Cameron is relying on? There are an estimated 60,000-70,000 “moderate” opposition fighters in Syria. The problem is that they are not a united force. And so far they have not shown much interest in focusing on Isis – as Cameron would like them to – being too preoccupied fighting Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian army. |
What is wrong with Britons? Don't they know that if the govt gives you a number you shouldn't ask where they got that number?
It is 70,000. Done.
Who are these 70,000 Syrian fighters David Cameron is relying on?