MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Tuesday, Fallon announced the United Kingdom would resume training of moderate Syrian opposition groups in various combat skills following a request from the United States to provide support to the restarted US Train and Equip Program.
"No-one should doubt the threat posed by ISIS [Daesh]- the most horrible war crimes are central to their deadly strategy — but Michael Fallon needs to be clearer about what is actually happening with this training scheme and what safeguards are in place," Benedict said.
The UK Defense Ministry also added that the trainees will undergo screening and monitoring before, during and after the training and will be trained in medical, infantry and explosive hazard awareness skills.
"The Defence Secretary should explain how individuals will be vetted and what their international humanitarian law training consists of — does it include, for example, stringent safeguards against the summary killing of prisoners and the need to properly detain those captured," Benedict added.
The move by the United Kingdom comes on the background of the July decision by the United States to relaunch its $500 million-a-year program meant to train moderate Syrian opposition fighters to defeat Daesh terrorists in Syria and Iraq.
Since 2011, a civil war between government troops and a number of opposition factions and terrorist groups has been ongoing in Syria. The United Kingdom is a part of the US-led coalition that is carrying out airstrikes against Daesh, a terrorist group outlawed in Russia, the United States and other countries.
