The program to train moderate Syrian rebels could involve as many as 1,000 U.S. trainers and support personnel, the Pentagon said Friday. If all goes well, trained rebels could be back on the battlefield in Syria by the end of the year, AP reported. Rear Adm. John Kirby said the U.S. will send several hundred trainers and probably an equal number of support troops, including security teams, to the training sites. The total number of U.S. forces hasn't been finalized, he said, but it could "approach or exceed 1,000." There also could be hundreds of trainers from other countries, said Kirby, including troops from nations where the sites are located as well as others. Plans for the U.S. and others to train Syria's moderate opposition have dragged on for months as officials have struggled to work out details of the program and put together a vetting process to identify appropriate rebel groups and individuals who could receive the training. -- SPA 23:31 LOCAL TIME 20:31 GMT تغريد
