US provides armored vehicles to anti-IS forces in Syria for the first time

The US has for the first time provided armored vehicles to a coalition fighting the Islamic State (IS) in Syria.

The US provides armored vehicles to forces fighting the Islamic State in Syria. Illustration photo: Reuters.

"US armored vehicles are being delivered to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) for the first time," SDF spokesman Talal Sello told AFP today.

According to Sello, the decision to provide the vehicles was made by the administration of President Donald Trump, instead of simply providing support as under former President Barack Obama.

"Before, we used to receive light weapons, ammunition... with these armored vehicles, we are entering a new phase of receiving support," Sello said. "We have met with representatives of the new government and they have promised to provide more support."

Colonel John Dorrian, a US military spokesman, confirmed the information, saying the move to support armored vehicles was to "help protect partners from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) used by the Islamic State (IS)".

The SDF, which was established in October 2015, is the main partner of the US-led international coalition in the fight against IS in Syria. In addition to light weapons, the international coalition has previously sent advisers to support and carried out airstrikes against IS fighters.

President Trump said he would focus on fighting IS in Syria. He signed an executive order on January 28, requiring the US military to come up with a plan within 30 days to “destroy” the militant group.

According to VNE