Cables released by Wikileaks have revealed that the US has been financing the Syrian oppsition.
The reports claim the US State Department has given at least $6 million for anti-government programmes in Syria. The money was allegedly given to the Movement for Justice and Development, which is a Syrian opposition group based in London. Reformist satellite channel Barada TV is also said to have also received funding.
This all comes as 20,000 demonstrators gathered in Homs demanding Bashar al-Assad step down - a move his government claimed amounted to "armed insurrection".
Demonstrators claim troops loyal to al-Assad opened fire in an attempt to disperse the crowd forcibly.
Inside Story, with presenter Dareen Abughaida, discusses with guests: Nadim Shehade, from the Middle East Programme at Chatham House; and Malik al-Abdeh, a memeber of the Syrian Movement for Justice and Development, also editor-in-chief of Barada TV.
This episode of Inside Story aired on Tuesday, April 19, 2011.
