Things got more muddy for the new batch of US-trained Syrian rebels who crossed into the country this week, when US officials admitted Friday their fighters had surrendered several items to militants from Syria's al-Qaeda affiliate, Nusra Front.
The group of 54 American trianed and equipped fighters apparently surrendered several items given to them by American military personnel when confronted by a group of Nusra militants once inside Syria in order to move past the al-Qaeda convoy.
"Unfortunately, we learned late today that the NSF (New Syrian Forces) unit now says it did in fact provide six pick-up trucks and a portion of their ammunition to a suspected al-Nusra Front (group)," Pentagon spokesman Cpt Jeff Davis said on Friday. US Central Command spokesperson Col Patrick Ryder said the collision happened on Sept. 21-22.
The US statement comes on the heels of rumors purporting the same on social media. Several users who tweeted the information had their accounts suspended last week.
This is only the latest in a number of setbacks for the fighters, dubbed by US trainers as the New Syrian Forces. Earlier this month, CENTCOM Head Gen. Lloyd Austin told reporters only a handful of American-trained Syrians had actually made it to the battlefield, with low numbers due in part to program dropouts.
