To ask Her Majesty's Government what types of assistance they provided to the Syrian opposition between 2015 and the latest date for which figures are available; which factions associated with the Free Syrian Army received that assistance; what was the nature of that assistance; and what was the cost.
Answered on
20 September 2017
Through the cross-government Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) for Syria the UK is supporting those groups opposed to Daesh and Assad as well as Syrian civilians and their communities. This support to the moderate opposition has included political support and non-lethal equipment. In terms of equipment, we have provided communications, medical and logistics equipment. We have also provided equipment to protect against chemical weapons attack. For security reasons we do not disclose the names of groups supported. The UK does not supply weapons to anybody in Syria. The value of the CSSF for Syria is £69 million in the current financial year, was £64 million in 2016-17, and £66 million in 2015-16.