The United States is not out to protect the 30,000 insurgents. It is out to protect the 3.5 million civilians in the province, many of whom will have to leave their homes again, if the government even gives them a pathway out. Tens of thousands were bused there in a deal with the government.
Not to mention the civilian casualties.
Not to mention the chlorine.
If they use chlorine on these people, it will once again be claimed that they WMD’d themselves and tried to blame it on Assad—or better still, the U.S. or Israel. And half the world will believe it.
It’s another “humanitarian mission”.
I guess we have to bend over for this “humanitarian mission” for the various groups in northern Syria listed on the BBC map including Islamic State.
Our military and its allies were allowed to level the IS HQ city Raqaa.