Report: Former CIA Director Petraeus Urging Cooperation with Al-Qaeda Against ISIS
Former CIA director and retired Army general David Petraeus is suggesting America should team up with al-Qaeda to fight the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
Tag: Nusra Front
Al-Qaeda Releases 7 Kidnapped U.S.-Backed Rebels
The U.S.-backed unit of moderate Syrian rebels effectively disintegrated, following several kidnappings by the al-Qaeda linked Nusra Front. The group has agreed to release 7 of its prisoners, in an announcement in which the freed refer to the al-Qaeda thugs as brothers.
Al-Qaeda Pulls Back from Proposed Turkish ‘Buffer Zone’ in Syria
The Nusra Front, al-Qaeda’s franchise in Syria, is reportedly pulling back from the proposed buffer zone area, which suggests they think the Americans and Turks are serious about the project.
Christian Families Flee ISIS Onslaught in Syria
The onslaught of ISIS in central Syria is threatening yet another Christian town, prompting human-rights activists to warn that hundreds of families could be in peril.
First Armed U.S. Drone Strike Launched Into Syria From Turkey
A month after Turkey agreed to allow U.S. and allied forces to use its airfields for operations in Syria, the first armed drone strike has been conducted by the United States.
Arab World ‘Laughing’ at Pentagon Over Failure of Moderate Syrian Rebel Force
The Jerusalem Post presents a dismaying roundup of reactions from the Arab world to the performance of the U.S.-trained and equipped New Syrian Force, the tiny group of “moderate” rebels that hit the battlefield just a few weeks ago, and was swiftly picked apart by al-Qaeda, with nearly two dozen of its fighters and officers taken captive.
Al-Qaeda Kidnaps Another Five U.S.-Trained Moderate Syrian Rebels
The awful humiliation of Obama’s strategy in Syria continues, as five more U.S.-trained “moderate Syrian rebels” have been kidnapped by al-Qaeda’s affiliate, the Nusra Front.
Armed US Drones Begin Operating from Turkish Airbase
The increased level of Turkish cooperation with American efforts against the Islamic State (ISIS) has produced the uncomfortable side effect of the Turks declaring open season on our most vital ally, the Kurds. At least the Turks are making good on their promise to allow more extensive American use of their airbases, as the Pentagon says armed US drones are now operating from the Incirlik Air Base.
Syrian Rebel Leader Kidnapped by Al-Qaeda, Along with 7 of His 54 Troops
A matter of days after 54 American-trained moderate Syrian Rebel Army fighters reported for duty, the New York Times reports that the commander of the unit plus seven of his fighters—including his second-in-command—have been kidnapped by the Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda franchise, while they were returning from a meeting in Turkey.
Belgian Police Detain 16 Chechens Suspected of Joining Islamist Group
Belgian police have made 16 arrests after a series of 21 raids nationwide, targeting “religious jihadism in a part of the Chechen community,” as the prosecutor’s office was quoted by AFP.
WaPo: Al Qaeda Expanding in Syria, Yemen Amid Focus on ISIS
Al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria and Yemen are benefiting from the global focus on the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL), quietly capturing territory and expanding their influence amid the turmoil in the war-ravaged countries, reports The Washington Post.
Report: Assad Regime Expected to Accept ‘De Facto Partition’ of Syria
The regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad appears ready to “accept de facto partition” of Syria, a move that would leave most of the country in the hands of rebels and jihadists, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports, quoting experts and diplomats.
Israeli Army: Syrian Al-Qaeda Affiliate ‘100 Yards’ from Israel’s Border
The Syrian army is defunct and the al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria is “100 yards” from the country’s border with Israel, an unidentified senior Israeli army officer said, The Times of Israel reports.
Pentagon: U.S. Begins Training Syrian Rebels
WASHINGTON, DC — The Pentagon announced on Thursday that the U.S. has begun training about 90 Syrian rebels at an overseas location, adding that pro-Bashar al-Assad regime forces are losing momentum in their fight against the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) and other groups.
ISIS Takes Over Palestinian Refugee Camp in Syria, Beheadings Ensue
There is a major Palestinian refugee camp on the road to Damascus, which the Islamic State is still marching down, despite efforts to “degrade and ultimately destroy” their war machine by Bashar Assad’s de facto allies in the U.S. coalition.
Syrian Chopper Crashes, Crew Captured by Al-Nusra Front
The Associated Press reports that a Syrian military helicopter has crashed following an equipment malfunction, resulting in the capture and killing of its crew by “insurgents” of the al-Nusra Front.
Syria Kills Nusra Front Leader, Putting Future of Jihadist Group in Question
(Reuters) – Al Qaeda’s Syrian branch was left reeling on Friday after its military chief was killed in an apparent army air strike, adding to confusion over the future path of the most powerful group opposing both President Bashar al-Assad and Islamic State.
Reports: Syria’s Nusra Front May Dissolve Ties With Al Qaeda In Rebranding Effort
The leadership of Syria’s Nusra Front Sunni jihadist group, which seeks as its primary goal the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, may push away from Al Qaeda in hopes to receive aid and assistance from the Gulf States, according to sources who told Reuters.
Turkey, US Sign Deal to Arm Syrian ‘Moderates,’ Even as One of Biggest Supporters Gives Up on Them
Reuters reported on Thursday afternoon that “the United States and Turkey have signed an agreement to train and equip moderate Syrian opposition fighters,” an agreement that will evidently include several hundred U.S. troops, including special operations forces, training five thousand Syrian fighters over the next three years at bases outside Syria.
Terrorists organise suicide bombings from inside Lebanese prison
A Lebanese prison building is now the command base for terrorists in Lebanon with the latest suicide bomb attack orchestrated from prisoners’ bunk beds. According to local newspaper An-Nahar, Lebanese forces transferred detainees inside the notorious Roumieh prison Monday amid
