Americans oppose military strike against Syria: Poll

Poll shows Americans would express more support for the military actions if Britain and France were to participate

 

The majority of Americans still oppose launching military strikes against Syria, even as the Barack Obama administration is trying hard to secure support from lawmakers, says an ABC News-Washington Post poll.

 

The poll found that 59 % of Americans are against a missile strike in Syria in light of the US government's determination that the Syrian government had used chemical weapons against its own people, Xinhua reported.

 

Only 36 % of Americans support the kind of military action for what the Obama administration is now seeking Congressional authorisation.

 

The opposition against such military actions in Syria has been observed across the board.

 

A total of 54 % of Democrats, 55 % of Republicans and 66 % of political independents say "No" to the US government launching missile strikes against Syrian government, showing deep opposition among every political group.

 

Americans would express more support for the military actions if Britain and France were to participate, with the support for missile strikes in Syria rising by 10 %age points to 46 %.

 

But the prospect has become less likely after the British parliament voted down a proposal for military intervention in Syria last week.

 

The US public showed even less support for America and its allies supplying weapons to opposition groups in Syria, with 70 % opposing such an action and only 27 % supporting.

 

The poll was conducted by telephone Aug 28-Sep 1 among 1,012 adults.

 

The White House is currently trying to win over lawmakers to support military strikes against Syria. Obama Tuesday met Congressional leaders and Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel appeared at a Senate hearing to make the case for military actions.