US to Allocate Additional $100Mln to Support Syrian Opposition

US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the United States will provide an additional $100 million in assistance in support of the Syrian opposition - bringing total support for their efforts to $500 million.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States will allocate additional $100 million to provide assistance to the so-called Syrian moderate opposition, thus amount of US support since 2012 will total $500 million, US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement Saturday.

"This morning, I am pleased to announce that the United States will provide an additional $100 million in assistance in support of the Syrian opposition — bringing our total support for their efforts to $500 million," a statement said.

Syria has been engulfed in a civil war since 2011, as Syrian government forces fight opposition factions and extremist groups, including Islamic State (ISIL) and the Nusra Front insurgent groups.

Since the beginning of the Syrian civil war, the United States and its allies have supported opposition factions they consider to be "moderate," and have called for President Bashar Assad to resign.

Russia considers Assad the legitimate authority in the country and has promoted a peaceful settlement of the Syrian conflict.