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Senate Green Lights Rebel Aid as Doubts Remain

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The Senate followed the House Thursday night in granting President Barack Obama the authority and funding to train and arm moderate Syrian rebels to fight the Islamic State.

"The strong bipartisan support in Congress for this new training effort shows the world that Americans are united in confronting the threat from ISIL which has slaughtered so many innocent civilians," the president said.

However, there are still questions and skepticism about how, or if, the president's plan will work.

"Our ambassador to Iraq and Syria says we don't have a clue who the moderates are and who the jihadists are, and even if they tell you they are the moderates -- 'Oh we love Thomas Jefferson. Give us a shoulder-fired missile,'" Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said.

In addition to members of Congress, some military leaders have raised questions about the president's strategy against ISIS, including retired Marine Gen. James Mattis.

Mattis told the House Intelligence Committee that banning boots on the ground is hindering the military.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State John Kerry was on Capitol Hill, defending the president's strategy.

The debate came as ISIS released new video showing John Cantlie, a British journalist who was kidnapped two years ago in Syria, seated alone at a desk in a dark room.

The jihadist army has also launched a series of bomb and mortar shell attacks Thursday in and around Baghdad, killing at least 36 people.

That assault shows ISIS poses a threat to the capital of Iraq, in addition to the large parts of the country the terrorists have already taken, displacing tens of thousands of people.

CBN's Operation Blessing International is in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil helping many of those people, including Christians living in tent camps, churches, and abandoned buildings.

Volunteers are distributing food, including rice, beans, eggs, salt, and more, with relief supplies coming such as blankets, diapers, stoves, and more for those who have suffered unimaginable persecution.

"These Iraqi Christians are some of the most beautiful and loving people I have ever met," David Darg, vice president of international operations for Operation Blessing, said. "For Operation Blessing to be here providing them food and essential relief supplies and letting them know they are not alone is such a privilege."

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About The Author

Mark
Martin

Mark Martin currently serves as a reporter and anchor at CBN News, reporting on all kinds of issues, from military matters to alternative fuels. Mark has reported internationally in the Middle East. He traveled to Bahrain and covered stories on the aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower. Mark also anchors CBN News Midday on the CBN Newschannel and fills in on the anchor desk for CBN News' Newswatch and The 700 Club. Prior to CBN News, Mark worked at KFSM-TV, the CBS affiliate in Fort Smith, Arkansas. There he served as a weekend morning producer, before being promoted to general