US-trained Division 30 rebels 'betrayed US and hand weapons over to al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria'

Jabhat al-Nusra, affiliated to al-Qaeda, took the technicals, guns and ammunition from the US-trained Division 30 in northern Aleppo

Pentagon-trained rebels are reported to have betrayed US and handed weapons over to Jabhat al-Nusra immediately after entering Syria

Pentagon-trained rebels are reported to have betrayed US and handed weapons over to an al-Qaeda affiliate immediately after entering Syria.

Fighters with Division 30 surrendered and handed over "all its weapons" to Jabhat al-Nusra in Syria, sources alleged on Monday.

The moderate rebel group was the first faction to graduate from a US-led training programme in Turkey which aims to forge a fighting force on the ground in Syria to fight against Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isil).

"A strong slap [in the face] for America... the new group from Division 30 that entered yesterday hands over all of its weapons to Jabhat al-Nusra after being granted safe passage," tweeted Abu Fahd al-Tunisi, who purports to be a member of the al-Qaeda affiliate.

"They also handed over a very large amount of ammunition and medium weaponry and a number of pick-ups."

Abu Khattab al-Maqdisi, who also claims to be a Nusra member, added that Anas Ibrahim Obaid, Division 30's commander, had explained to al-Nusra's leaders that he had tricked the coalition because he needed weapons.

"He promised to issue a statement... repudiating Division 30, the coalition, and those who trained him," tweeted Maqdisi on Monday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a pro-opposition UK-based watchdog, reported on Sunday that 75 Division 30 fighters had crossed into Syria from Turkey the previous morning with “12 four-wheel vehicles equipped with machine guns and ammunition".

US Central Command said in a news release on Monday that about 70 graduates of the Syria Train and Equip programme had re-entered Syria with their weapons and equipment and were operating as New Syrian Forces alongside Syrian Kurds, Sunni Arabs and other anti-Isil forces.

“With support from the coalition, the NSF will fight alongside vetted opposition forces and employ their training and equipment acquired through the T&E programme,” continued the statement.

Last month, Jahbat al-Nusra militants engaged in a rout against Division 30’s forces, kidnapping their commander and storming the group’s headquarters.

News of the surrender comes days after the resignation of Division 30’s chief of staff, who cited a lack of seriousness in the training programme.

In the statement, Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad al-Dhaher complained of insufficient numbers of trainees and fighters, inadequate supplies, and even “a lack of accuracy and method in the selection of Division 30’s cadres”.

The latest developments have only added to the scorn heaped on the much-criticized $500 million (£320 million) program, which aims to forge a 5,400-strong force of “moderate” rebels to combat Isil.

Division 30 has been hampered by problems almost from the outset, with rebels complaining of a laborious vetting process and an injunction against fighting forces loyal to Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

Last Wednesday, General Lloyd Austin, commander of US Central Command, shocked senate leaders in the armed services committee when he said the programme had yielded only a handful of fighters.

"We're talking four or five," said Gen Austin.