The head of the US military's special operations has confirmed that the Central Intelligence Agency is shutting down its program to support rebels fighting against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. <br/><br/>General Tony Thomas denied that the four-year-old operation was brought to an end as a way to placate Russia and earn its support for a ceasefire in southwestern Syria.<br/>'<br/>The Washington Post had reported that the covert CIA program was being shut down. It said President Donald Trump made the decision nearly a month ago after a meeting with CIA chief Mike Pompeo and National Security Advisor HR McMaster. The Report said Trump made the decision in an effort to find ways to work with Russia in Syria, where Moscow supports Assad's government.<br/><br/>President Barack Obama approved the rebel aid program in 2013 as various insurgent groups sought external support in a general uprising against the Assad regime. Thousands of Syrian anti-government fighters were trained and armed.