White Helmets, ‘Local Councils’ – Is the UK FCO Financing Terrorism in Syria with Taxpayer Funds?

The UK regime is a primary player in the ostensibly US-led coalition whose objective for the last seven years, has been the removal of Syria’s President Assad and the inevitable imposition of a so called ‘moderate’ Islamic State upon the people of Syria. This campaign has led to the destabilization of Syria and destruction of infrastructure across much of its territory. Not to mention, the wholesale suffering endured by the Syrian people under attack from NATO member state sponsored terrorism and punishing economic sanctions. It is therefore ironic that the UK Government funds the Syrian ‘opposition’ via its Conflict Stability and Security Fund (CSSF):
‘The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) provides development and security support to countries which are at risk of conflict or instability. It’s the only government fund which uses both Defence spend and Official Development Assistance (ODA) to deliver and support security, defence, peacekeeping, peace-building and stability activity.’
Previously under the heading ‘Conflict Pool’, the CSSF is a 1bn-plus slush fund dedicated to providing ‘development and security’, according to the UK Government overview.
‘The CSSF has been allocated 1.163 billion for 2017 to 2018. It includes over 300 million mandatory contributions to peacekeeping operations.’ ~ CSSF An Overview
From the outset, CSSF spending has been shrouded in secrecy, particularly with regards to Syria.
Following a recent Parliamentary Question from Baroness Caroline Cox, it has been confirmed that the UK FCO has financed the Syrian ‘opposition’ for three years through the CSSF:
‘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.’ – Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, FCO

This post was published at 21st Century Wire on DECEMBER 2, 2017.