Obama’s Syria: al-Qaeda rebels / Jihadists seize missile base

Obama’s Syria: al-Qaeda rebels / Jihadists seize missile base

Posted on October 14, 2012 by sundance

In February of this year we presented the following analysis of Syria.  Before we discuss the new FSA/al-Qaeda armory let’s revisit the history:
There is a similarity between the rebel factions that sprung up in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and now Syria. In this recent video release from The FSA (Free Syrian Army) the connection is evident. They are proudly displaying the flag of al-Qaeda. This should give urgent pause to any cries of arming a Syrian rebellion; alas I hold no confidence we will do anything different.
But watch the progressive left continue to sell the narrative of a poor freedom rebellion just like they did in Egypt and in Libya, only to see the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood and a Sharia-compliant governance model. Highlighting once again the shortsighted Obama policy that has given rise to radical islamists around the Middle East.
(via al-Wasat) This past Thursday, on February 16, a group of around twenty individuals claiming to be part of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), released a video message to YouTube announcing the formation of a new battalion named the al-Bara’ ibn Malik Martyrs Brigade.

(For Video Click HERE)

It should be noted that during the Iraq war, al-Qa’ida in Iraq (AQI) also named one of their battalions the al-Bara’ ibn Malik Martyrs Brigade. There is no definitive proof that the new battalion established by the FSA is connected with the old al-Qa’ida in Iraq networks. That said, one should be cognizant of the expansive facilitation networks there were for foreign fighters attempting to join the Iraq jihad in Syria.
There are many layers to unpack from the video itself as well as the name chosen for the martyr brigade and its potential illusions.
With the recent revelations that al-Qa’ida was allegedly behind a series of suicide bombings in Syria over the past few months, along with Ayman al-Zawahiri’s recent video giving support to the Syrian “mujahidin;” much worry has risen over the specter of al-Qa’ida influencing and/or hijacking the opposition movement in Syria that hopes to topple Bashar al-Asad and his current regime. (continue reading excellent analysis along with video link)
Now we have new reports of the Jihadists gaining control of a missile base in Syria.  (YNet)  Videos posted online Friday, apparently shot inside air defense base near Aleppo, show fighters linked to al-Qaeda participating in overnight battle, inspecting lines of large missiles.
Anti-regime activists say jihadist fighters linked to al-Qaeda fought with rebels to capture a Syrian military air defense base near Aleppo.
Videos posted online Friday apparently shot inside the base say Jabhat al-Nusra participated in the overnight battle for the base. The videos show fighters inspecting lines of large missiles.
Two Aleppo-based activists and Rami Abdul-Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, also say Jabhat al-Nusra fought in the battle.
The base’s capture is sure to fuel fears that Islamic extremists are playing a greater role after nearly 19 months of unrest in Syria. Western powers cite their presence as a reason not to arm the rebels.
Syrian opposition activists estimate more than 32,000 people have been killed since March 2011 when the uprising against President Bashar Assad’s regime began.
Clashes were also taking place Friday at a military barracks close to Maarat al-Nuaman, a town on the main highway to the northwestern city of Aleppo which was seized by rebel forces earlier this week.  (report)