Tag: Terrorism

Syria talks should focus on fighting ‘terrorists’: Russia

Syria talks should focus on fighting ‘terrorists’: Russia | Reuters.

Lavrov is right in that the fight in Syria has always been against “terrorists,” but terrorists in our midst come in many flavors and he can only taste one. That’s why his country remains part of the problem.

Syria’s Christians Flee Kidnappings, Rape, Executions

Syria’s Christians Flee Kidnappings, Rape, Executions.

By now there is no denying that Al-Qaeda affiliated Jihadists are targeting Christians. But, we should never forget that most of the damage done to Christian communities and towns since the beginning of the Revolution was done by pro-Assad militias, a fact that continues to be under-reported if not downright ignored as one of those bloody inconveniences that, if acknowledged, would call for some action. Another important observation in regard to the Christian communities in Syria is the role played by high-ranking figures in the Christian religious establishment. for just like most of their Sunni counterparts, they have proven what so many Syrian activists have known for a long time, that they are mere puppets in the hand of the regime, and instruments for exerting control over and manipulating the sentiments of the country’s Christians.

Al-Qaeda Resurgent!

As the world watches on, Al-Qaeda is gradually building a state for herself in Syria and Iraq.

November 10, 2013 | Gaziantep, Turkey

Having made its operational debut in Syria during the Summer of 2013, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a known Al-Qaeda affiliate comprised mostly of foreign Jihadists, is now actively implementing a fast-track plan for taking over governance of all areas in that country liberated from the rule of the Assad regime, taking advantage of the fractious nature of the rebel movement and the lack of international support to moderate groups. While the plan seems to be running into some trouble in the Kurdish majority areas in the Northeast where hardened PKK fighters have left their positions in Turkey and rushed to support their co-nationals, the takeover process seems to be proceeding at a deliberate pace elsewhere in the country and is picking up speed from day-to-day. The internal differences pitting ISIS against Jabhat Al-Nusra (JAN), another Al-Qaeda affiliate operating in Syria supported mostly by local recruits, and the leader of Al-Qaeda itself, Ayman Al-Zawahiri, does not seem to be having much impact operationally at this stage, although this could change in the future. Continue reading “Al-Qaeda Resurgent!” →