Featured photo credit: AP (Maya Alleruzzo, File)
Washington (CNN) – The Obama administration is holding internal discussions on military options if the ceasefire in Syria fails, including the possibility of increasing the number of Special Forces on the ground in Syria, though no decision has been made, a senior U.S. official told CNN.
Other potential options include training and assisting local forces, recruiting help from other countries and establishing a no-fly zone or safe zone for refugees.
The options are part of the so-called Plan B should the ceasefire that takes effect this weekend falls apart, the official said.
So far, “Plan B” is more an idea than a specific course of action and nothing has yet been agreed to, several administration officials said.
Special Forces could be used for more counterterrorism operations, as well as increase work with moderate opposition forces on the ground.
Military options could also include increasing the training, advising and assisting of moderate forces. U.S. intelligence agencies and other countries could be called upon to help provide arms and assistance, the official said, again emphasizing that no decisions have yet been made.
National security officials continue to look at the option of a no-fly zone or safe zone for refugees and displaced persons, the official said. However, the Obama administration, led by the Pentagon, still feels such a plan would be too costly and resource-intensive, the official said.
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