U.S. starts military training for moderate Syrian rebels

Mr. Carter said about 90 moderate rebels were being trained as part of the force, and a second group would begin training in the next few weeks. The force is being trained to take on Islamic State fighters in Syria, officials said.

The individuals were recruited and vetted before the training began, Mr. Carter said. U.S. officials have said they were reviewing potential trainees to avoid providing assistance to fighters with extremist ties.

U.S. special operations forces are conducting the training of rebels.

Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the U.S. would work to build up a rebel force in a measured way and considers the training as part of a broader U.S. approach to fighting Islamic State militants in the Middle East.