
The administration of US President Donald Trump has cut off most of the funding Washington had been providing to the controversial 'White Helmets' volunteer organization in Syria, CNN reported on Thursday, citing internal documents and the organization.
The Syrian Civil Defense, popularly known as the White Helmets, was created in 2014 at the height of the country's civil war, and billed itself as a volunteer rescue force dedicated to helping civilians injured by the government of former President Bashar Assad. It received funding from Western governments.
During the protracted struggle, the White Helmets were praised in the Western media as heroes. Extensive evidence, however, suggests that at least some of its media content was staged. On several occasions, members of the group were filmed participating in apparent executions by jihadists.
Its US Agency for International Development (USAID) funding has been terminated as part of the Trump administration's broader curtailing of foreign aid contracts. The spending cuts affect programs related to firefighting, search and rescue, and so-called "community resilience" work, according to the outlet. Despite ongoing scrutiny of the group's activities and affiliations, a smaller contract from the US State Department to fund what is described as "accountability work" reportedly remains in place.
Comment: 'White Helmets' is situational fakery paid for by USAID (American tax dollars).
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