U.S. Relies Heavily on Saudi Money to Support Syrian Rebels
WASHINGTON — When President Obama secretly authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to begin arming Syria’s
embattled rebels in 2013, the spy agency knew it would have a willing
partner to help pay for the covert operation. It was the same partner
the C.I.A. has relied on for decades for money and discretion in far-off conflicts: the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
embattled rebels in 2013, the spy agency knew it would have a willing
partner to help pay for the covert operation. It was the same partner
the C.I.A. has relied on for decades for money and discretion in far-off conflicts: the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Since
then, the C.I.A. and its Saudi counterpart have maintained an unusual
arrangement for the rebel-training mission, which the Americans have
code-named Timber Sycamore. Under the deal, current and former
administration officials said, the Saudis contribute both weapons and
large sums of money, and the C.I.A takes the lead in training the rebels
on AK-47 assault rifles and tank-destroying missiles.
then, the C.I.A. and its Saudi counterpart have maintained an unusual
arrangement for the rebel-training mission, which the Americans have
code-named Timber Sycamore. Under the deal, current and former
administration officials said, the Saudis contribute both weapons and
large sums of money, and the C.I.A takes the lead in training the rebels
on AK-47 assault rifles and tank-destroying missiles.
The support for the Syrian rebels is only the latest chapter in the decadeslong relationship between the spy services of Saudi Arabia
and the United States, an alliance that has endured through the
Iran-contra scandal, support for the mujahedeen against the Soviets in
Afghanistan and proxy fights in Africa. Sometimes, as in Syria,
the two countries have worked in concert. In others, Saudi Arabia has
simply written checks underwriting American covert activities.
and the United States, an alliance that has endured through the
Iran-contra scandal, support for the mujahedeen against the Soviets in
Afghanistan and proxy fights in Africa. Sometimes, as in Syria,
the two countries have worked in concert. In others, Saudi Arabia has
simply written checks underwriting American covert activities.
Shiite Muslims in Karachi,
Pakistan, protested the Saudis’ beheading of a dissident cleric this
month. The Obama administration did not publicly condemn it.
Credit
Rizwan Tabassum/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
