#BringBackOurRebels: Despite Pentagon Denial, Reports Confirm That U.S.-Trained Syrian Rebels Were Kidnapped By Al-Qaeda Almost Immediately

(Be sure to see the update below for new details and Associated Press confirmation.)

Earlier this week, I reported at PJ Media that the first class of Obama’s U.S.-trained, “vetted moderate” Syrian rebels — 50 in all — had left Turkey for Syria and had not been heard from since, based on a McClatchy report.

Yesterday, I posted a follow-up report claiming that 18 of the newly trained U.S. rebels, including some of the leaders, had been arrested/kidnapped by Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaeda’s official affiliate in Syria. Pentagon spokeswoman Elissa Smith denied the claim:

Reports have claimed that the al-Qaida linked Al-Nusra Front has detained 18 opposition members, including Syrian Turkmen Colonel Nedim Hassan, -who is the leader of the U.S train-and-equip program-, and field commander Farhan Jasim near the Syrian city of Aleppo on Wednesday, which was refuted by the Pentagon. “While we will not disclose the names of specific groups involved with the Syria Train and Equip program I can confirm that there have been no New Syrian Force personnel captured or detained.” Pentagon spokeswoman or Cmdr. Elissa Smith told Daily Sabah. It was claimed that the opposition members who were returning from the train-and-equip program from Turkey were cut in by the Nusra militants, and were allegedly detained on the grounds that they are cooperating with the U.S.

The flat-out denial by the Pentagon is being refuted this morning, both by a Reuters report and a statement issued by the group itself.

From the Reuters report:

The al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front has abducted the leader of a U.S.-backed rebel group in north Syria, opposition sources and a monitoring group said, in a blow to Washington’s efforts to train and equip fighters to combat Islamic State. A statement issued in the name of the group, “Division 30”, accused the Nusra Front of abducting Nadim al-Hassan and a number of his companions in a rural area north of Aleppo. It urged Nusra to release them. A Syrian activist and a second opposition source said most of the 54 fighters who have so far completed a U.S.-led train and equip programmed in neighboring Turkey were from Division 30. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based group that reports on the war, said the men were abducted while returning from a meeting in Azaz, north of Aleppo, to coordinate efforts with other factions. The opposition source said they were abducted on Tuesday night.

The Telegraph is also reporting:

A statement issued Wednesday by the Division 30 Infantry group accused the Nusra Front, Al Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, of taking the Division’s commander, Colonel Nadim Al-Hassan, and his companions in the northern countryside of Aleppo province.

This development embarrasses both the Obama administration and the GOP leadership that pushed for the $500 million in funding for the program on multiple levels:

• The program was supposed to train 5,000 rebels to fight the Islamic State this year, but Defense Secretary Ashton Carter admitted to Congress earlier this month that only 60 had completed the program.

• To train those 60 fighters, the Pentagon has burned one half of the funds allocated for the training, with $4 million spent per fighter so far.

• No sooner had that first class of 54 been sent off to Syria on July 12 than the Pentagon reportedly lost contact with them.

• Then yesterday the initial reports were that 18 of those members had been arrested by Jabhat al-Nusra, prompting the Pentagon denial.

• Now, the Division 30 statement and the Reuters report flatly contradict the Pentagon denial yesterday, meaning they did not know or they lied about the embarrassing report.

As I stated yesterday, it’s become clear which side actually fits the description of “JV team.”

UPDATE: The Associated Press confirms the report that the Pentagon denied yesterday:

Syrian activists say a leader and six members of a U.S.-backed rebel group have been abducted in northern Syria, most likely by the al-Qaida-affiliated Nusra Front.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and a Turkey-based Syrian activist said Thursday that Col. Nadim al-Hassan, who heads a brigade known as “Division 30,” was picked up near the border town of Azaz along with the other six.

Dubai-based reporter Jenan Moussa has additional details:

I spoke to v. credible sources (who want 2 say anonymous) on kidnap of U.S trained rebels by Nusra Front. Details in coming tweets. @akhbar

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 30, 2015

Source: Head of regiment 30 “Nadim AlHassan” was kidnapped along with 20 fighters. These are from latest rebel batch trained by U.S. @akhbar

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 30, 2015

Source: U.S trained Nadim AlHassan & his men entered Syria 2 start 1st attacks agnst ISIS. They were kidnapped next to Azaz hospital @akhbar

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 30, 2015

Source: Kidnapping of U.S trained rebels happened 1 hour after they entered from Turkey, Syria border crossing of Bab El Salameh. @akhbar

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 30, 2015

Source: Kidnappers of U.S trained rebels wore black hoods. They drove in 4 pickups & a van. They opened fire & kidnapped group. @akhbar

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 30, 2015

Source: Witnesses tell us kidnappers of U.S trained rebels R Nusra Front. We spoke to Nusra Emirs. They say they aren't holding them @akhbar

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 30, 2015

Source: We already sent couple of groups of U.S trained rebels into #Syria. Last group entered 15 days ago. @akhbar

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 30, 2015

Source: B4 sending U.S trained rebels 2 Syria, we spoke 2 all groups incl. Nusra. We told them our guys will enter, target ISIS only @akhbar

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 30, 2015

Source: U.S trained rebels still missing. Nusra says they dont have them. Witnesses say Nusra captured them. We dont know where they are.

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 30, 2015