US President Barack Obama as urged the Congress to approve USD500 million aid to train opposition forces in Syria. Obama is hopeful that the funds would help strengthen Syrian opposition against President Bashar al-Assad.
The fund would also be allocated to counter the rise of Islamist extremism in regions such as Iraq. Local media reported that Obama was forced to take action as political crisis deepened in Iraq. The clashes in Syria has internally displaced millions and have resulted in the death of over two 200,000 people.
White House sources said the funds, if approved by the congress, would enable the Department of Defense to lend support to opposition forces in Iraq and Syria. White House said the allocation has a potential to contribute much to controlling terrorist threat.