Claims and documentation that the United States and Israel have supported terrorist groups in Syria often come from geopolitical analysts, human rights agencies and organizations, and peace and justice organizations in many countries. The sources making such claims vary widely, from established international news organizations to independent journalists and advocacy groups. These assertions are typically grounded in interpretations of policies, intelligence reports, leaked documents, or direct statements by officials. Below are some key sources and perspectives:

Syrian Government and International Media

• Syrian State Media (e.g., SANA): The Syrian government, prior to the Al Qaeda/Hayat al Sham takeover in December 2024, has consistently accused the U.S. and Israel of directly or indirectly supporting terrorist groups, including ISIS and al-Nusra Front, to destabilize Syria.
• International Media: Independent media from the Global South and across the world in general often document many instances and patterns of Western support for rogue and extreme international terrorist groups opposed to the Syrian government leading up to its highly suspicious overthrow in December 2024..

Leaked Documents and Reports

• Wikileaks: Leaked U.S. government cables and documents have been interpreted by some analysts as evidence of Western strategies to undermine the Syrian government by supporting opposition groups, including those with extremist elements.
• Declassified Pentagon Documents: Reports from groups like the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in 2012 suggested that the rise of a "Salafist principality" in Syria was seen as a potential strategic asset to counter the Syrian government.

Western Journalists and Analysts

• Seymour Hersh: The investigative journalist has written extensively about alleged covert U.S. operations in Syria, including claims of funding and arming groups with extremist links.
• Max Blumenthal and The Grayzone: This independent outlet often highlights alleged Western complicity in supporting or enabling extremist groups in Syria.
• Patrick Cockburn: A veteran Middle East correspondent who has criticized U.S. and allied policies in Syria for indirectly empowering extremist groups.

Academics and Policy Critics

• Scholars like Noam Chomsky and Stephen Zunes have critiqued U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, including its role in funding opposition groups that may have links to terrorism.
• Think tanks such as the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Middle East Forum have published conflicting analyses, some questioning the efficacy and morality of arming rebel groups.

Methods of Support

• Arming and Training: Through programs like the CIAs Operation Timber Sycamore, the U.S. provided arms and training to Syrian opposition forces, some of which later joined extremist groups.
• Turning a Blind Eye: Critics argue that U.S. and Israeli policies prioritized weakening the Syrian government over vetting the affiliations of rebel groups they supported.
• Coordination with Regional Allies: Claims often cite U.S. coordination with Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, who frequently supported groups with ties to extremist ideologies.