U.S. Stepping Up Assistance to Forces Fighting Islamic State

The US has stepped up training and arming of various armed factions in the Middle East opposed to the Islamic State (IS) terror militia, including nearly $83 million in weapons to the Lebanese Army in recent months. “We are absolutely committed to making sure that the army has the capacity to be the sole defender of Lebanese territory and its borders, and is answerable to the state and to the Lebanese people through the state,” said US ambassador to Lebanon David Hale Wednesday. “This is a long term commitment, and we will stand by Lebanon’s side in this regard until these terrorists are defeated.” The comments came on the same day that the White House announced an that another 450 US troops will soon arrive in Iraq to help train Iraqi security forces and tribal militias fighting IS. Read More