ABC News-Post Poll: Majority Oppose US-Only Syria Strike

Nearly 60 percent of Americans oppose a unilateral U.S. strike against Syria and even more oppose arming the Syrian rebels, a new poll has found.

According to an ABC News/ Washington Post poll conducted August 28-September 1, 59 percent of Americans oppose U.S. missile strikes, even when told of the administration's belief that the Syrian government used chemical weapons to kill an estimated 1,429 civilians. Just 36 percent support retaliatory strikes.

Another 70 percent oppose the United States and its allies supplying weapons to the Syrian rebels.

The findings in the poll of 1,012 adults are consistent across party lines.

At the same time, the poll found that people are less opposed to action in Syria if the U.S. is joined by allies. Forty-six percent of those surveyed would support allied air strikes, while 51 percent would still oppose them. Great Britain, however, has already voted against air strikes, but France has signaled that it may participate.

The findings indicate a deep-seated and ongoing reluctance for U.S. involvement in the region. An ABC/Post poll from December showed that 73 percent of Americans were opposed to U.S. military involvement in Syria.

However, the new findings indicate a sharp change in opinion about action in the event Syria used chemical weapons on its people. In December, 63 percent of respondents said they would favor military action in the event of a chemical attack.