White Helmets are shown in Syria’s Idlib province in this September 2015. FILE IMAGE: Reuters / Khalil Ashawi
On October 21, US President Donald Trump approved $4.5 million in direct support to the infamous propaganda group “White Helmets” in Syria.
In a statement released by the White House, the White Helmets’ media support to al-Qaeda and participation in multiple staged attacks, including those involving chemical weapons, were described as an “important and highly valued work”.
“Yesterday, President Donald J. Trump authorized $4.5 million in direct support to the Syria Civil Defense (SCD) to continue United States support for the organization’s important and highly valued work in the country. Over the course of the 8-year conflict in Syria, the SCD has rescued more than 115,000 people, including many ethnic and religious minorities. The United States encourages our allies and partners to join us in our support for the SCD and in our efforts to protect civilians, religious and ethnic minorities, and other innocent victims of the Syrian conflict,” the White House said on October 22.
The White Helmets have alaways operated solely in the parts of Syria controlled by al-Qaeda and its allies. Currently, the miltiant-held part of Idlib, Lattakia and Aleppo provinces are their main area of operations.
