Brian Sayers, director of government relations for the Syrian Support Group, admitted in an NPR interview the money raised by his organization will go to weapons purchases as well. “Yes,” he said when asked about weapons. “Weapons are going to be a part of the process, because if they’re going to set up safe zones for the Syrian citizens … those safe zones have to be defended.”
The Syrian Support Group addresses concerns on its website about whether some of the money it raises will go to al-Qaida organizations fighting with the Free Syrian Army.
“SSG acknowledges reports of increasing Al-Qaeda and other extremist activity within Syria. SSG hopes to serve as a counter-weight to this development and will only provide financial support to military councils who have adopted the Free Syrian Army’s Proclamation of Principles.”