Tweet
he US military has delivered more than 45 tonnes of ammunition to rebels fighting the jihadist group Islamic State (IS) in north-eastern Syria.C-17 transport aircraft, accompanied by fighter escorts, dropped pallets of supplies overnight in Hassakeh province, a Pentagon spokesman said.
The consignment reportedly comprised small arms, ammunition and grenades.
It comes days after the US abandoned a $500m (£326m) plan to train thousands of "moderate" rebels to fight IS.
The money will instead be used to provide much-needed ammunition and some weapons to commanders of rebel groups already established on the ground.
'Raqqa offensive'
The Pentagon said the more than 100 pallets dropped in Hassakeh were collected safely. They were intended for Syrian Arab groups whose leaders have been vetted and who enjoy the confidence of the US-led coalition battling IS, it added.
Image copyright AFP Image caption The YPG and Arab rebel groups announced the formation of new alliance on Monday Analysis: Jonathan Marcus, BBC defence correspondent
This is indicative of the type of activity the US is likely to step up in the wake of the failure of its larger scheme to recruit train and equip a new opposition army.
The stress now is on vetting the leaders of opposition militias rather than each and every member.
Small arms and ammunition may be important in terms of keeping a specific group in the fight, but it is heavier weaponry - like the supply of US-made TOW anti-tank missiles to other groups - that has made the most impact on the battlefield.
The battle for Syria and Iraq in maps
Syria's civil war explained
A spokesman for one of the groups, the Raqqa Revolutionaries Front, told the Reuters news agency that they had been told that the supplies were to help them launch a joint offensive on the city of Raqqa - an IS stronghold - with the Kurdish Popular Protection Units (YPG) militia.
The Raqqa Revolutionaries Front and the YPG are part of an alliance of Arab and Kurdish groups, called the Democratic Forces of Syria, whose creation was announced on Monday.
In a statement sent to Reuters news agency, the YPG said "rapid developments on the military and political front" require "a united national military force for all Syrians, joining Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs and other groups".
YPG fighters, backed by Arab rebels and US-led coalition air strikes, have driven IS from large parts of northern Syria in the past year and now control much of Hassakeh. The Syrian government also has a presence in the provincial capital.
Russian strikes intensify
Meanwhile in north-western Syria, Russian jets reportedly intensified their attacks on rebel positions on the Sahl al-Ghab plain, as government forces battled to regain control of the strategic area.
Fighting was focused on the village of Kafr Nabudeh, in Hama province, activists and officials said.
Image copyright Reuters Image caption Rebels have repelled attacks on Kafr Nabudeh, whose fall would give government forces access to Idlib province Capturing the area would cut off a key motorway and give government forces access to Idlib province, most of which is controlled by a rebel alliance.
The Russian defence ministry said it had bombed 53 Islamic State targets in the provinces of Hama, Homs, Latakia and Idlib over the past 24 hours. However, the jihadist group is believed to have only a limited presence in Hama.
The UN envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, said he hoped Russia and the US would agree to form the core of one or more "contact groups" of countries supporting talks on a political solution to the Syrian conflict.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Russian defence minister Sergei Lavrov said he was "interested in establishing a coalition" between the US-led forces targeting Islamic State from the air and the Russian military.
Mr Lavrov said he had asked "those who claim to know the situation on the ground better" to provide Russian forces with the location of IS militants but said they "have yet to reply".
He also said Russia was prepared to cooperate with Syria's "so called patriotic opposition" but required information about their positions.
Russia was also involved in anti-IS operations closer to home, it said on Monday, with the arrest of a group of Russian citizens in Moscow.
The FSB security agency said in a statement that some of those detained had gone through IS training camps in Syria and were suspected of planning an attack on Russian soil.
Explosives and bomb-making equipment were found at an address in Moscow used by the suspects, the agency said.
More than 250,000 people have been killed since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad erupted in 2011. Some 11.5 million others - more than half of the country's population - have fled their homes.
Syria's civil war
Why is there a war in Syria?
Anti-government protests developed into a civil war that four years on has reached a stalemate, with President Bashar al-Assad's government, Islamic State, an array of Syrian rebels and Kurdish fighters all holding territory.
What's the human cost?
More than 250,000 Syrians have been killed and a million injured. Some 11 million others have been forced from their homes, of whom four million have fled abroad - including growing numbers who are making the dangerous journey to Europe.
How has the world reacted?
Iran, Russia and Lebanon's Hezbollah movement are propping up the Alawite-led Assad government, while Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar back the more moderate Sunni-dominated opposition, along with the US, UK and France. Hezbollah and Iran have forces on the ground, while a Western-led coalition and Russia are carrying out air strikes.
Share this story About sharing
Syria's war
Features and analysis
Video and audio
Profiles
Middle East
Saudi king rejects 'Hajj handover'
Full article Saudi king rejects 'Hajj handover'
Israelis wounded in fresh stabbings
Full article Israelis wounded in fresh stabbings
Syrian Kurds 'razing captured villages'
Full article Syrian Kurds 'razing captured villages'
More Videos from the BBC
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-0 ob-o"> World Beard and Moustache Championships' hairy competitors <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-o"> 'Beef party': Indian BJP members beat Muslim member in Kashmir assembly <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-2 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-3 ob-o"> Vulcan bomber's final flypast over northern England <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-o"> Thirsty leopard gets head stuck in pot in India <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-5 ob-o">
Recommended by Outbrain
Elsewhere on BBC
Recommended by Outbrain
Top Stories
US air drop for Syria anti-IS forces The US military air-drops more than 45 tonnes of ammunition in north-eastern Syria to rebels fighting the jihadist group Islamic State (IS).
5 hours ago
Three held over Canadian tourist murder 2 hours ago
Zimbabwe drops case against lion killer 8 hours ago
Advertisement
Features & Analysis
Supercity
Why so many comic book heroes began life in New York
No longer funny
Has it all turned sour for Charlie Hebdo after attack?
'No crotch shots'
What does a feminist dating app look like?
Hunted
The bird whose head is more valuable than ivory
Love, trauma and Hollywood
Chilean miners reflect on life five years after rescue
Awkward conversation
Readers who asked other parents about guns at home
'Too hot'
What's it like being a female engineer?
Final moments
MH17 families look to report for truth of Ukraine air crash
Hero or villain?
Christopher Columbus has become a hate figure for many online
Subscribe to our daily newsletter The latest breaking news and more at your fingertips
Most Popular popular
Most read
Advertisement
From Around the Web
Promoted content by Outbrain
Ads by Google
The consignment reportedly comprised small arms, ammunition and grenades.
It comes days after the US abandoned a $500m (£326m) plan to train thousands of "moderate" rebels to fight IS.
The money will instead be used to provide much-needed ammunition and some weapons to commanders of rebel groups already established on the ground.
'Raqqa offensive'
The Pentagon said the more than 100 pallets dropped in Hassakeh were collected safely. They were intended for Syrian Arab groups whose leaders have been vetted and who enjoy the confidence of the US-led coalition battling IS, it added.
Image copyright AFP Image caption The YPG and Arab rebel groups announced the formation of new alliance on Monday Analysis: Jonathan Marcus, BBC defence correspondent
This is indicative of the type of activity the US is likely to step up in the wake of the failure of its larger scheme to recruit train and equip a new opposition army.
The stress now is on vetting the leaders of opposition militias rather than each and every member.
Small arms and ammunition may be important in terms of keeping a specific group in the fight, but it is heavier weaponry - like the supply of US-made TOW anti-tank missiles to other groups - that has made the most impact on the battlefield.
The battle for Syria and Iraq in maps
Syria's civil war explained
A spokesman for one of the groups, the Raqqa Revolutionaries Front, told the Reuters news agency that they had been told that the supplies were to help them launch a joint offensive on the city of Raqqa - an IS stronghold - with the Kurdish Popular Protection Units (YPG) militia.
The Raqqa Revolutionaries Front and the YPG are part of an alliance of Arab and Kurdish groups, called the Democratic Forces of Syria, whose creation was announced on Monday.
In a statement sent to Reuters news agency, the YPG said "rapid developments on the military and political front" require "a united national military force for all Syrians, joining Kurds, Arabs, Syriacs and other groups".
YPG fighters, backed by Arab rebels and US-led coalition air strikes, have driven IS from large parts of northern Syria in the past year and now control much of Hassakeh. The Syrian government also has a presence in the provincial capital.
Russian strikes intensify
Meanwhile in north-western Syria, Russian jets reportedly intensified their attacks on rebel positions on the Sahl al-Ghab plain, as government forces battled to regain control of the strategic area.
Fighting was focused on the village of Kafr Nabudeh, in Hama province, activists and officials said.
Image copyright Reuters Image caption Rebels have repelled attacks on Kafr Nabudeh, whose fall would give government forces access to Idlib province Capturing the area would cut off a key motorway and give government forces access to Idlib province, most of which is controlled by a rebel alliance.
The Russian defence ministry said it had bombed 53 Islamic State targets in the provinces of Hama, Homs, Latakia and Idlib over the past 24 hours. However, the jihadist group is believed to have only a limited presence in Hama.
The UN envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, said he hoped Russia and the US would agree to form the core of one or more "contact groups" of countries supporting talks on a political solution to the Syrian conflict.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Russian defence minister Sergei Lavrov said he was "interested in establishing a coalition" between the US-led forces targeting Islamic State from the air and the Russian military.
Mr Lavrov said he had asked "those who claim to know the situation on the ground better" to provide Russian forces with the location of IS militants but said they "have yet to reply".
He also said Russia was prepared to cooperate with Syria's "so called patriotic opposition" but required information about their positions.
Russia was also involved in anti-IS operations closer to home, it said on Monday, with the arrest of a group of Russian citizens in Moscow.
The FSB security agency said in a statement that some of those detained had gone through IS training camps in Syria and were suspected of planning an attack on Russian soil.
Explosives and bomb-making equipment were found at an address in Moscow used by the suspects, the agency said.
More than 250,000 people have been killed since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad erupted in 2011. Some 11.5 million others - more than half of the country's population - have fled their homes.
Syria's civil war
Why is there a war in Syria?
Anti-government protests developed into a civil war that four years on has reached a stalemate, with President Bashar al-Assad's government, Islamic State, an array of Syrian rebels and Kurdish fighters all holding territory.
What's the human cost?
More than 250,000 Syrians have been killed and a million injured. Some 11 million others have been forced from their homes, of whom four million have fled abroad - including growing numbers who are making the dangerous journey to Europe.
How has the world reacted?
Iran, Russia and Lebanon's Hezbollah movement are propping up the Alawite-led Assad government, while Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar back the more moderate Sunni-dominated opposition, along with the US, UK and France. Hezbollah and Iran have forces on the ground, while a Western-led coalition and Russia are carrying out air strikes.
Share this story About sharing
Syria's war
- What is Russia's endgame in Syria?
8 October 2015
- Russia's intervention lifts Syria crisis to new level
1 October 2015
- Syria crisis: Where key countries stand
2 October 2015
- Russia joins Syrian war: Key points
1 October 2015
- Syria: What can Russia's military do?
7 October 2015
- How Putin blindsided the US
30 September 2015
- West 'walking into abyss' on Syria
28 September 2015
- Why Gulf states are not letting Syrians in
7 September 2015
- Syrian ruins that influenced the West
27 July 2015
- Syria: Mapping the conflict
10 July 2015
- Syria: The story of the conflict
9 October 2015
- Syria's war: Special report
7 October 2015
Features and analysis
- Syrian Journey: Choose your own escape route
1 April 2015
- 24 hours in a fuel tank
2 April 2015
- The longest detour
3 April 2015
- Syrian Journey: What would you take with you?
31 March 2015
- I nearly drowned in chocolate
31 March 2015
- The special shoes
30 March 2015
- Inside Kobane: Eyewitness account in besieged Kurdish city
5 November 2014
Video and audio
- Video Bowen: Can leaders find Syria consensus?
28 September 2015
- Video Aftermath of Russia's Syria strikes
1 October 2015
- Video What is Russia's target in Syria?
1 October 2015
- Video Russia's military hardware in Syria
1 October 2015
- Video Why is Putin helping Assad in Syria?
30 September 2015
- Video Russian strikes: Sorrow and scepticism
2 October 2015
Profiles
- Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad
12 November 2014
- Profile: Islamic State group
2 August 2014
- Bashar al-Assad's inner circle
30 July 2012
- Assad opponents
18 October 2013
- Profile: New Syria opposition chief
6 January 2015
- Syria: Staffan de Mistura, the UN's special envoy
11 November 2014
Middle East
Saudi king rejects 'Hajj handover'
- 6 hours ago
- From the section Middle East
Full article Saudi king rejects 'Hajj handover'
Israelis wounded in fresh stabbings
- 3 hours ago
- From the section Middle East
Full article Israelis wounded in fresh stabbings
Syrian Kurds 'razing captured villages'
- 22 minutes ago
- From the section Middle East
Full article Syrian Kurds 'razing captured villages'
More Videos from the BBC
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-0 ob-o"> World Beard and Moustache Championships' hairy competitors <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-o"> 'Beef party': Indian BJP members beat Muslim member in Kashmir assembly <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-2 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-3 ob-o"> Vulcan bomber's final flypast over northern England <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-o"> Thirsty leopard gets head stuck in pot in India <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-5 ob-o">
Recommended by Outbrain
Elsewhere on BBC
- Dozens of drivers in Lowestoft 'unable to lock cars' BBC News
- Girl, 15, raped in 'broad daylight', police say BBC News
- Michigan woman shoots at shoplifters in Home Depot car park BBC News
Recommended by Outbrain
- India’s temples of sex BBC Travel
- On 27 September, Paris goes car-free BBC Autos
- Nissan's Gripz is the sports car for a crumbling future BBC Autos
Top Stories
US air drop for Syria anti-IS forces The US military air-drops more than 45 tonnes of ammunition in north-eastern Syria to rebels fighting the jihadist group Islamic State (IS).
5 hours ago
Three held over Canadian tourist murder 2 hours ago
Zimbabwe drops case against lion killer 8 hours ago
Advertisement
Features & Analysis
Supercity
Why so many comic book heroes began life in New York
No longer funny
Has it all turned sour for Charlie Hebdo after attack?
'No crotch shots'
What does a feminist dating app look like?
Hunted
The bird whose head is more valuable than ivory
Love, trauma and Hollywood
Chilean miners reflect on life five years after rescue
Awkward conversation
Readers who asked other parents about guns at home
'Too hot'
What's it like being a female engineer?
Final moments
MH17 families look to report for truth of Ukraine air crash
Hero or villain?
Christopher Columbus has become a hate figure for many online
Subscribe to our daily newsletter The latest breaking news and more at your fingertips
Most Popular popular
Most read
- 1 Cash reward for Google.com takeover
- 2 The island where men are disappearing
- 3 US students to defy gun law with dildos
- 4 'Bizarre' video tour of Pistorius house
- 5 Three held over Canadian tourist murder
- 6 Syrian Kurds 'razing captured villages'
- 7 Facebook paid £4,327 corporation tax
- 8 Police stop guarding Assange embassy
- 9 5p plastic bags: All you need to know
- 10 How Ann Summers became respectable
Advertisement
From Around the Web
- Drone stalks leopard, leopard having none of it (CNET)
- Why Russians Hate America. Again. (The New York Times)
- 15 Most Attractive Female Soldiers In The World (RoyaLounge)
- Top Secret: The Most Feared Aircraft In The Military (Viraltopia)
- Most Beautiful Female Armed Forces Pics (Hidden Playbook)
- Do You Have Royal Blood? Your Last Name May Tell You. (Ancestry)
Promoted content by Outbrain
Ads by Google
- Daily Routine for Knees
Doctors reveal the secret to better knees & joints - Do this daily!
www.instaflex.com/advanced - Medicare Supplement Plans
Medigap Options for (65 & older). Compare Plans & Prices for 2015.
www.medicaresupplemental.com - Disadvantages Of Reverse
Understand How a Reverse Mortgage Works -- Educate Yourself!
reversemortgageguides.org