Obama posed a request to Congress on Thursday which involves $500 million worth of funding to train and equip what he has described as "moderate" Syrian opposition forces.

Besides allowing forces to defend against the powers aligned with President Bashar al-Assad, the funding would also counter Islamist militants such as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, otherwise known as ISIS.

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The Obama administration's request reflects growing alarm on the part of the U.S. government when it comes to increasing strength of Islamist forces in Syria. The ISIS extremist group has expanded its territory in recent weeks and even asserted control over large portions of neighboring Iraq.

Syria hasn't fared much better: tens of thousands of people have died and millions have been displaced in the last three years as the nation dukes it out in a gruesome civil war.

The potential training program marks a significant move for President Obama, as he has consistently warned against the dangers of providing military aid to Syrian rebels and has resisted American intervention in the conflict.

However, according to a White House spokesperson, the funding would help the Syrian people stave off attacks inflicted on them by the government regime.

"This funding request would build on the administration's longstanding efforts to empower the moderate Syrian opposition, both civilian and armed," the White House said.

Obama's funding request comes only shortly after his decision to send 300 military advisers into Iraq to help defend the country against advancing ISIS forces.

Proposals such as these create some discomfort amongst the majority of American people who are reluctant to see the US further embroiled in the Middle East.

Speaking at a town-hall meeting in Minneapolis on Thursday, President Obama did his best to quell such doubts by saying:

"We've got to pay attention to the threats that are emanating from the chaos in the Middle East."

Obama further stated that he would be working in depth with Congress to make sure that the funding goes towards those combatting terrorism and the dictatorial government in Syria.

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