The US House of Representatives voted in favour on Wednesday of the Obama administration’s plan to train and arm moderate Syrian rebels although large numbers of lawmakers from both parties remain sceptical about the initiative.
The plan to back the Syrian rebels passed by 273 to 156 in the first vote by Congress on any part of the administration’s strategy to take on the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, or Isis.
The $500m funding proposal was particularly controversial among Democrats, who voted 114 for and 85 against – an indication of the wariness among members of the president’s own party about a new military confrontation in the Middle East. The Senate will vote on the measure on Thursday.