The Intrigue of Proxy Warfare: CIA vs. Pentagon in Syria

The Syrian Civil War, starting in 2011, has not only been a battleground for internal factions but also a chessboard for international powers with conflicting interests, particularly the United States. This article explores a unique aspect of this conflict: the clash between militias armed by different branches of the U.S. government, specifically the CIA and the Pentagon.

The CIA's Involvement: Operation Timber Sycamore

• Operation Timber Sycamore: Initiated in 2013, this covert operation aimed at equipping and training Syrian rebels to fight against the Assad regime was authorized by President Obama. The CIA's program focused on arming primarily non-Kurdish opposition groups, often labeled as "moderate rebels".

• Groups Armed by the CIA:

  • Fursan al Haq (Knights of Righteousness): Noted in reports as being in direct conflict with Pentagon-armed groups in the Aleppo region. This militia was part of the broader opposition against Assad but clashed with other U.S.-backed forces over territory.

  • Suqour Al-Jabal Brigade: Linked with the CIA, this group was involved in fighting against both the Syrian government forces and occasionally against other U.S.-backed militias, particularly when strategic interests diverged.

The Pentagon's Strategy: Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)

• Syrian Democratic Forces: Formed in late 2015, the SDF was a coalition primarily composed of Kurdish YPG (People's Protection Units) along with Arab, Syriac-Assyrian, and Turkmen fighters. The Pentagon's support was aimed at fighting ISIS rather than directly confronting Assad, which created a stark contrast with the CIA's objectives.

• Clashes and Coordination Issues:

  • The SDF, predominantly Kurdish, often clashed with CIA-backed Arab and Turkmen rebels in northern Aleppo, especially in areas like Marea and Azaz, reflecting the disjointed U.S. policy in Syria.
  • Efforts were made to coordinate these groups, but skirmishes became routine, highlighting significant operational and strategic discord between U.S. agencies.

Historical Context and Outcomes

• Historical Precedents: The involvement of U.S. intelligence in manipulating or supporting coups and regime changes isn't new. The 1949 coup in Syria by Colonel Husni al-Za'im, potentially backed by CIA elements, sets a historical context for such interventions.

• Impact of the Clashes: These internal conflicts among U.S.-backed groups not only weakened the opposition against Assad but also led to a severe depletion of resources and morale. The CIA's program was eventually phased out in 2017, as its effectiveness waned with Russian military intervention, shifting focus towards counter-terrorism against ISIS.

Conclusion

The Syrian conflict illustrates a complex web of proxy warfare where even allies within the U.S. government pursued divergent strategies. The CIA and Pentagon, through their respective programs, inadvertently or otherwise, supported militias that fought each other, showcasing the challenges of managing multiple covert and overt operations within the same theater of war. This scenario underscores the need for better inter-agency coordination and a clear strategy in foreign policy interventions.

References

• Los Angeles Times: In Syria, militias armed by the Pentagon fight those armed by the CIA
• The Intercept: How the Pentagon Uses a Secretive Program to Wage Proxy Wars
• War on the Rocks: Are CIA-backed Syrian Rebels Really Fighting Pentagon-backed Syrian Rebels?
• Global Research: "Two Channels", Pentagon and CIA: Don’t Be Fooled, the CIA Was Only "Half the Problem" in Syria
• NPR: CIA Is Quietly Ramping Up Aid To Syrian Rebels, Sources Say
• Reuters: Syrian rebels say U.S., allies sending more arms to fend off Iran threat
• Wikipedia: CIA activities in Syria
• The New York Times: Behind the Sudden Death of a $1 Billion Secret C.I.A. War in Syria
• Reddit (r/geopolitics and r/news) discussions on the topic