U.S. Allocates $156M for Fighting ISIS in Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The U.S. Congress approved on Dec. 14 the budget for the US Department of Defense for 2024, with a total amount of $842 billion, of which $156 million is allocated for fighting the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria.
The recently passed spending bill, adopted in the House of Representatives after a vote in the Senate on Dec.13, allocates $398 million to the Syria and Iraq Train and Equip Fund, to strengthen the capabilities of the Department of Defense partner forces.
The allocated funds will primarily be used to combat ISIS and establish “secure and humane detention of ISIS fighters, to achieve the enduring defeat of ISIS”, according to the US Department of Defense.
The funding dedicated to combating ISIS in Syria has decreased by around $9 million compared to the previous year of 2023, while funding for operations in Iraq fell to $242 million from $322 million.
The funds allocated for Syria are directed towards the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), according to the bill.
The Department of Defense noted in the bill report that the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) “will continues its mission of advising, assisting, and supporting trusted local partner forces in Syria and Iraq to achieve the lasting defeat of ISIS.”
The 3,000-page document will now be sent to President Joe Biden’s office for final approval.