NDAA to fund $177 million to counter-ISIS operations
WASHINGTON DC, USA (North Press) – The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) allocated yesterday $177 million for 2022 to fund forces fighting the Islamic State Organization (ISIS).
The USA president, Joe Biden, signed the NDAA bill into law with $768 billion after the Senate and the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the resolution in favor of the decision.
The US Defense budget increased by 5% compared to last year’s.
According to the NDAA, salaries of US soldiers and Defense Department employees raised by 2.7% in addition to the designated budget to deal with the strategic threats coming from China and Russia.
The NDAA includes numerous provisions to extend the Department of Defense’s (DOD) authorization in order to support America’s existing local forces to counter existing and emergent threats.
The NDAA of 2022, Section 4301, authorizes the DOD to spend $177 million in Train and Equip funding for counter-ISIS operations during the 2022 fiscal year. Most of the funds will support the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The 2022 budget to counter-ISIS operations in Syria decreased compared to previous years. In 2021 the budget was $200 million while in 2019 $300 million.
“The budget affirms that the DOD remains committed to support the SDF to deter remnants of the extremist group ISIS in a way consistent with the challenges ISIS pose,” a source from the DOD told North Press.
“The SDF and its Counter-Terrorism Special Units managed to develop their capacities to be able to fight the radical group and to rely on themselves. The DOD’s diligence to work with them is to ensure the final defeat of ISIS,” the source said.
$78 million are soldiers’ salaries, $13 million are for needed combat equipment such as cameras, lasers, walkie-talkies, laptops and uniforms.
Members of the US Congress had promised the Syrian opposition delegation in Washington DC to include a special law to disrupt and dismantle narcotics production and trafficking in Syria. However, the law was dropped in the last minute with no explanations given behind.
James French Hill, US Representative and member of the Republican Party, stated to Asharq al-Awsat that Biden’s administration policy towards the Syrian conflict is just media statements and tweets. Hill said he was disappointed the law to disrupt and dismantle narcotics production and trafficking in Syria was abolished.