The US State Department has secretly financed Syrian political opposition groups and related projects, including a satellite TV channel that beams anti-government programming into the country, according to previously undisclosed diplomatic cables, a report in the Washington Post said on Monday. The London-based satellite channel, Barada TV, began broadcasting in April 2009 but has ramped up operations to cover the mass protests in Syria as part of a long-standing campaign to overthrow the countrys autocratic leader, Bashar al-Assad. Human rights groups say scores of people have been killed by Assads security forces since the demonstrations began March 18; Syria has blamed the violence on armed gangs. Barada TV is closely affiliated with the Movement for Justice and Development, a London-based network of Syrian exiles. Classified U.S. diplomatic cables show that the State Department has funneled as much as $6 million to the group since 2006 to operate the satellite channel and finance other activities inside Syria. The channel is named after the Barada River, which courses through the heart of Damascus, the Syrian capital. The U.S. money for Syrian opposition figures began flowing under President George W. Bush after he effectively froze political ties with Damascus in 2005. The financial backing has continued under President Obama, even as his administration sought to rebuild relations with Assad. In January, the White House posted an ambassador to Damascus for the first time in six years. The cables, provided by the anti-secrecy Web site WikiLeaks, show that U.S. Embassy officials in Damascus became worried in 2009 when they learned that Syrian intelligence agents were raising questions about U.S. programs. Some embassy officials suggested that the State Department reconsider its involvement, arguing that it could put the Obama administrations rapprochement with Damascus at risk. Syrian authorities would undoubtedly view any U.S. funds going to illegal political groups as tantamount to supporting regime change, read an April 2009 cable signed by the top-ranking U.S. diplomat in Damascus at the time. A reassessment of current U.S.-sponsored programming that supports anti-government factions, both inside and outside Syria, may prove productive, the cable said. It is unclear whether the State Department is still funding Syrian opposition groups, but the cables indicate money was set aside at least through September 2010. While some of that money has also supported programs and dissidents inside Syria, The Washington Post is withholding certain names and program details at the request of the State Department, which said disclosure could endanger the recipients personal safety. The State Department declined to comment on the authenticity of the cables or answer questions about its funding of Barada TV. Tamara Wittes, a deputy assistant secretary of state who oversees the democracy and human rights portfolio in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, said the State Department does not endorse political parties or movements. We back a set of principles, she said. There are a lot of organizations in Syria and other countries that are seeking changes from their government. Thats an agenda that we believe in and were going to support. The State Department often funds programs around the world that promote democratic ideals and human rights, but it usually draws the line at giving money to political opposition groups. In February 2006, when relations with Damascus were at a nadir, the Bush administration announced that it would award $5 million in grants to accelerate the work of reformers in Syria. But no dissidents inside Syria were willing to take the money, for fear it would lead to their arrest or execution for treason, according to a 2006 cable from the U.S. Embassy, which reported that no bona fide opposition member will be courageous enough to accept funding. Around the same time, Syrian exiles in Europe founded the Movement for Justice and Development. The group, which is banned in Syria, openly advocates for Assads removal. U.S. cables describe its leaders as liberal, moderate Islamists who are former members of the Muslim Brotherhood.