Obama turned to the CIA to arm rebels with the intent to overthrow [[Bashar al-Assad]]. The CIA funneled massive quantities of military equipment, weapons, and ammunition from the fallen Libyan regime to Turkey, where they were used to arm a number of anti-Assad rebels operating under the umbrella of the so-called “Free Syrian Army,” or FSA. In 2013, the CIA took direct control of the arm and equip program, sending teams to Turkey and Jordan to train the FSA. This effort, known as Operation Timber Sycamore, was later supplemented with a Department of Defense program to provide anti-tank weapons to the Syrian opposition. | Obama turned to the CIA to arm rebels with the intent to overthrow [[Bashar al-Assad]]. The CIA funneled massive quantities of military equipment, weapons, and ammunition from the fallen Libyan regime to Turkey, where they were used to arm a number of anti-Assad rebels operating under the umbrella of the so-called “Free Syrian Army,” or FSA. In 2013, the CIA took direct control of the arm and equip program, sending teams to Turkey and Jordan to train the FSA. This effort, known as Operation Timber Sycamore, was later supplemented with a Department of Defense program to provide anti-tank weapons to the Syrian opposition. |