“Jihad in Syria,” By Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi

Jihad in Syria
By Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi
for Syria Comment, 20 March 2013

How do the jihadist rebels generally conceive of jihad in the Syrian civil war?

One useful way to look into this question is to examine the Qur’anic verses pertaining to warfare cited in propaganda statements. In this context, one recurring verse is 22:39, which runs as follows: ‘Permission [to fight] has been granted to those who are being fought, because they have been wronged. And verily is God able to grant them victory.’

For example, at the start of the final rebel offensive on Raqqah at the beginning of this month that successfully took the city out of the hands of Assad’s forces, a video emerged on Youtube entitled ‘Statement from Jabhat al-Nusrah [JAN] on the beginning of the battle to liberate Raqqah.’ In this video, one can see three fighters from JAN – the al-Qa’ida-aligned jihadist group. The speaker begins the statement with citation of 22:39.

In a similar vein, at the end of last year, a battalion calling itself ‘The Free Men of the Euphrates Battalion’ invoked 22:39 at the opening of the announcement of its formation. In January of this year, a claimed police defector in Hama highlighted 22:39 in announcing his defection to Ahrar al-Sham, which has since merged with numerous other battalions to form a broad jihadist umbrella group that played a key role in the capture of Raqqah.

To be sure, 22:39 is also cited beyond jihadist circles, for it was notably invoked by the prominent Islamic scholar Mohammed Ali al-Sabouni– head of the Association of Syrian Scholars and a member of the Syrian National Coalition (opposition coalition-in-exile)- as a justification for taking up arms against the Assad regime.

Coming back to JAN (on whom I focus since it is considered the most hardline jihadist group), another Qur’anic quotation cited in their propaganda is 9:39, which states: ‘Fight the polytheists altogether just as they fight you altogether.’ This verse appeared at the beginning of a video released through the group’s official channel, called ‘The White Minaret.’

JAN’s channel also released a video that begins with quotation from 4:75, which speaks of the need to fight in the cause of God for the oppressed who cry out for aid: a theme emphasized in the same video.

One could go on, but the point is that by citing all these verses, even JAN places an emphasis on what might be termed ‘defensive jihad’: that is, fighting in self-defense and in defense of one’s fellow Muslim brethren in the face of a regime seen as waging war on Islam.

Indeed, the doctrine contrasts with ‘offensive jihad’, which is a concept that normally relies on a verse of the Qur’an quite different from the ones cited above: namely, 9:29. Modern al-Qa’ida theorists use this verse to argue that Muslims must conquer the world for Islam. Osama bin Laden himself made this aggressive approach clear in an essay stating that non-Muslims had three choices: conversion, subjugation, or death.

This kind of grandiose vision was duly taken up by al-Qa’ida-aligned jihadists fighting in places like Iraq and Mali, where their brutality towards the local populations helped to foster alienation.

In contrast, an emphasis on portraying the struggle against Assad as ‘defensive jihad’ means that providing protection and aid for local Muslim populations (see e.g. here and here)- or, to borrow a counter-insurgency phrase, ‘winning hearts and minds’- has become a key part of jihadist strategy, whatever their wider ambitions might be.

This also means a more cautious approach to implementing strict Islamic law for fear that doing so hastily might provoke too much resentment. Thus, in JAN’s case, it is not true, pace some rumors, that the group immediately forced women’s clothing stores in Mayadeen to shut upon the announcement of a supposed ‘Shari’a Committee for the Eastern Region’ of Syria.

Indeed, much was made of a video showing a protest against JAN in Mayadeen, but it would appear the extent of the opposition was exaggerated. It is doubtful whether there were three straight days of protest against JAN as the Syrian Observatory on Human Rights claims. In any event, Mayadeen also saw counter-protests in favor of JAN (hat-tip: @Marwouantounsi).

On the other hand, in rebel-held areas of Aleppo, where JAN and other jihadist groups have had much more time to consolidate their presence, the impact of strict application of Islamic law is far more apparent through the full force of Shari’a courts- a phenomenon well documented in a recent New York Times report.

Even so, a hint of caution remains: recently a Shari’a-court affiliated with JAN arrested Dr. Othman Haj Othman– a popular member of Aleppo’s unofficial opposition council and a doctor who devoted himself to treating injured protestors in the city. Othman’s supposed ‘crime’ was to remove a JAN flag from the hospital he was working at. Yet Othman was released only a day later, likely as a result of the outrage the arrest triggered.

In short, the jihadist groups’ approach of ‘defensive jihad’ entails a more gradualist outlook to implementing Shari’a, somewhat similar to the Muslim Brotherhood’s conception of applying Islamic law through ‘gradual action…step by step, in order to facilitate understanding, studying, acceptance and submission.’

Such an approach is also supported by prominent cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi and is clearly seen in the Egyptian government’s recent policies towards prohibition on alcohol.

Yet in the long-run, this strategy adopted by the main jihadist groups in Syria does not necessarily point to much more significant success than elsewhere. As Phillip Smyth notes, approximately 1000 militias could be operating on the ground at the moment, which speaks against the idea of any single faction or alliance of groups becoming dominant in the country, for rivalries between different rebel groups in such a situation- even among those that broadly share the same ideological outlook- are impossible to avoid.

Further, the end-result of a gradualist approach to applying strict Shari’a is the same as one of immediate implementation: namely, significant restrictions on civil and political liberties- particularly as regards minorities (especially the Alawites, frequently attacked in jihadist rhetoric as ‘Nusayri apostates’) and women- that will help to stir up at least some resentment.

To conclude, the picture is one of general chaos, with jihadist strongholds most likely to arise and endure in the north and east of Syria.

Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi is a Shillman-Ginsburg Fellow at the Middle East Forum and a student at Brasenose College, Oxford University. His website is http://www.aymennjawad.org

E-mail: [email protected]
Twitter: @ajaltamimi

For another helpful discussion of Jihad in Syria also see, Jabhat an-Nusra ~ Hijackers of the Syrian Revolution by pietervanostaeyen

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Comments (49)


Hopeful said:

#195 Ghufran

The people in denial are those who keep blaming others for the problems they created themselves. The mess in Syria is created by Syrians through decades of brutal dictatorship, hollow slogans and ideologies, and backward educational systems (especially religious education: hiding the fact that Islam has many flavors and sects only encourages extremism on all sides)

I am glad the various Syrian opposition factions are distancing themselves from this hideous murder. It shows that they are against these kinds of acts, and for that, they deserve my respect. I do hope that they continue to speak forcefully in the future against these kinds of acts. I have yet to hear a single person within the regime structure criticize the excessive use of force by the regime against rebels and civilians alike.

Ghufran, revolutions are never clean. You have the right to “not like” the Syrian revolution, but you, and no one else, could have prevented it. Syrians of all stripes should now unite to conclude this terrible period in our history as soon as possible, by working on removing the two diseases from our society: dictatorship and sectarianism.

March 22nd, 2013, 9:59 am

 

Citizen said:

‘Permission [to fight] has been granted to those who are being fought, because they have been wronged. And verily is God able to grant them victory

Clevers! where are you of injustice posed to the Palestinian people under occupation since the forties of the last century! Are you one-eyed! Just go to the heaven from there, from the land of Palestine to the sky!That the angels calling you from Jerusalem Dear clevers!!

Did you kill the scholar Sheikh Bouti by the verse! And why did not kill half of humanity under the verse? You do not deserve compassion.

March 22nd, 2013, 10:09 am

 

AIG said:

They have been granted permission by the Koran to fight both in Palestine and in Syria. One does not negate the other. But why should they go fight in Palestine if Assad was afraid and unwilling to do so? Maybe if Assad had lead by example and actually attacked Israel, things would be different. Using Palestine as an excuse when the Golan border was the most peaceful one for decades is quite hypocritical.

March 22nd, 2013, 10:18 am

 

Visitor said:

I should point out that there is a tremendous amount of misinformation embodied in the main article of this new post of Dr. Landis. There are many references to Qur’anic verses as well as some insinuations purporting that certain groups are mischievous or supposedly hijacked the revolution the Syrian Revolution.

This is all utter nonsense. Our holy Warriors fully understand the Qur’an much better than any one who attempts to delve into the Holy Book. They know first and foremost what Allah told us in his Book,

????? ???????? ??????? ?????????? ???? ??????? ???? ????????? ?????????????? ??????????????

(???????: 128)

This verse explains everything going on in Syria. No doubt, our holy warriors are among the most fearful of Allah and that is why Allah is rewarding them and will reward them by making them eventually inherit Syria and beyond. These things never change. That is how powers rise and fall throughout history.

So, my point is stop whining and complaining and do proper jihad as Allah commanded and be fearful (????) of Him, then you will succeed.

I wouldn’t spend a minute reading the nonsense misinformation contained in the main article.

March 22nd, 2013, 10:34 am

 

revenire said:

Visitor don’t worry about it. No one takes this stuff seriously except the writer and his fans. This place is full of sectarian garbage and the war isn’t affected by anything you, or anyone else, does – or writes – here.

I mean, for Christ’s sake, you’re an American jihadi posting crap about Syria every day and the holy war. It would be best for you to sign off your computer and go do some work in a volunteer soup kitchen in Portland. Show us how a Muslim is kind and peace loving. You know what the Prophet said don’t you?

What you don’t like is the writer points out the so-called “rebels” are nothing but murdering bastards and drugged up thieves who murder 83 year old men – Sunni to boot – to free Syria from “Alawi oppression” even though the overwhelming majority of the government and army are Sunni.

March 22nd, 2013, 10:53 am

 

ann said:

Full Disclosure: Al Qaeda in Syria, the Story You Haven’t Heard?

March 22nd, 2013, 10:59 am

 

zoo said:

From Dictatorship to Democracy: a realistic non-violent struggle

Gene Sharp
The Albert Einstein institution
http://www.aeinstein.org/organizations/org/FDTD.pdf

Out of these concerns and experiences grew a determined hope that prevention of tyranny might be possible, that successful struggles against dictatorships could be waged without mass mu-tual slaughters, that dictatorships could be destroyed and new ones prevented from rising out of the ashes.

I have tried to think carefully about the most effective ways in which dictatorships could be successfully disintegrated with the least possible cost in suffering and lives.
In this I have drawn on my studies over many years of dictatorships, resistance movements, revolutions, political thought, governmental systems, and especially realistic nonviolent struggle.
….
A few harsh realities concerning reliance on foreign intervention need to be emphasized here:
• Frequently foreign states will tolerate, or even positively as-sist, a dictatorship in order to advance their own economic or political interests.
• Foreign states also may be willing to sell out an oppressed
people instead of keeping pledges to assist their liberation
at the cost of another objective.
• Some foreign states will act against a dictatorship only to
gain their own economic, political, or military control over
the country.
• The foreign states may become actively involved for posi-tive purposes only if and when the internal resistance move-ment has already begun shaking the dictatorship, having
thereby focused international attention on the brutal nature
of the regime.

The oft quoted phrase “Freedom is not free” is true. No outside
force is coming to give oppressed people the freedom they so much
want. People will have to learn how to take that freedom themselves.
Easy it cannot be.
If people can grasp what is required for their own liberation,
they can chart courses of action which, through much travail, can
eventually bring them their freedom.
Then, with diligence they can construct a new democratic order and prepare for its defense.
Freedom won by struggle of this type can be durable. It can be
maintained by a tenacious people committed to its preservation
and enrichment.

March 22nd, 2013, 11:02 am

 

revenire said:

Kill them all, we don’t want any prisoners Dr. Assad. Avenge the innocent.

HNN Homs News Network
ARMY BLOWS UP BUILDING KILLING ALL TERRORISTS !!
https://www.facebook.com/homs.news.network.english?ref=stream

The Syrian Army executed a special operation in the “Cinema Foued” Street of Deir Azzour, blowing up a building infested with Armed Terrorists, leaving no survivors …

THERE’S ONE WAY TO DO IT,, HOW MANY LIKES EVERYONE ??
… – J

March 22nd, 2013, 11:04 am

 

ann said:

Lecture of The Grand Clergy of Syria Who Thought Peace and Harmony and Was Killed by FSA Terrorists

He was a figure like pope for Catholics and was loved by Muslims and non-muslims alike. He was killed a few days ago by a FSA suicide bomber who kille 40 other people who were in mosque for praying with him.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=259_1363945429

March 22nd, 2013, 11:06 am

 

Visitor said:

Reverse @10:53am,

Buti was killed by evil Assad because Buti sold himself to evil. Evil Assad just came in and took Buti’s life because he bought it from Buti.

Assads are representatives of Evil in Syria. They are good at buying and selling people’s souls, possessions, and lands. Ask any Syrian he will tell you Golan was sold fully furnished to Israel. One man from Golan tried to move his house furniture from Golan when Israel took it after it was sold to it by Hafez. On his way, the man was caught by Assad thugs and they forced him to return the furniture to the Golan because taking it out of the Golan would be a breach of the terms of the sale which Assad will not tolerate as it would tarnish his salesmanship reputation, and would make Evil very angry with him and his clan.

But, of course you know nothing of this because we know who you are.

March 22nd, 2013, 11:06 am

 

zoo said:

Moaz al Khatib is obviously in a state of shock and confusion…

Opposition leader Moaz Alkhatib, himself a former preacher at the Umayyad Mosque, said the killing of a Muslim scholar in a religious sanctuary was “a crime in every sense of the word”.

“We could not agree with him politically, and believed he was wrong to stand with the rulers, but his killing opens up the gates to an evil that only God knows,” he said in a statement.

But Alkhatib said there had been signs Buti was questioning his support for Assad and suggested he may have been killed by authorities “who feared that if he took a courageous decision it could overturn the whole balance (of power)”.

March 22nd, 2013, 11:10 am

 

ann said:

ANNA Syria Coverage:

March 22nd, 2013, 11:14 am

 

Johannes de Silentio said:

200. JASMINE

“God help Syria”

How can you help a thing that doesn’t exist?”

A New Bashar Cartoon:

http://client.globecartoon.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/GCAdmin.woa/wa/jpgImage?UID=1002016

March 22nd, 2013, 11:21 am

 

zoo said:

Turkey and Israel friends again…

Netanyahu makes apology to Turkey over 2010 Gaza flotilla

By HERB KEINON, JPOST.COM STAFF
03/22/2013 16:27

In dramatic development in Israel-Turkey relations, PM speaks by phone with Erdogan, voicing regret for loss of life in Mavi Marmara incident, apologizing for mistakes; two agree to normalize relations.

Turkey, for its part, agreed to drop all charges against a group of former Israeli military commanders including former chief of staff Lt.-Gen. (res.) Gabi Ashkenazi.

Netanyahu said to Erdogan that he had a good discussion with Obama about regional cooperation, and the importance of Israeli-Turkish ties. The prime minsiter expressed regret at the deterioration of those ties, and committed himself to resolving their differences in the aim of promoting peace and regional stability.

Netanyahu, relating to Erdogan’s demands that Israel lift the blockade of Gaza, pointed out that Israel has already lifted some limitations and the passage of goods and people to the Palestinian territories, including Gaza, and that this will continue as long as quiet is preserved.

The two leaders agreed to continue to work together in order to improve the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territories.

March 22nd, 2013, 11:28 am

 

AIG said:

“Moaz al Khatib is obviously in a state of shock and confusion…”

Thank goodness Assad isn’t otherwise he would be systematically wrecking Syria. Oh wait… Assad is quite confused. He is firing the SCUDs north, instead of south. That is clear evidence of confusion. He really should be seen by a specialist.

March 22nd, 2013, 11:50 am

 

zoo said:

UN in rare unity condemns Syria mosque attack

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council has put aside its deep divisions and issued a rare statement condemning “in the strongest terms” the terrorist attack on a mosque in Damascus that killed more than 40 Syrians, including a senior Muslim cleric.

The suicide bombing killed Sheik Mohammad Said Ramadan al-Buti, a top Sunni preacher, as he was giving a sermon Thursday.

The Security Council statement called terrorism a serious threat to international peace and security and said any terrorist acts “are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation.”

The statement, approved Friday, reiterated the council’s determination to combat all forms of terrorism and its “condemnation of all acts of violence against civilian populations.”

March 22nd, 2013, 11:59 am

 

Tara said:

While the regime could be very well the perpetrator of al Buti’s killing, it is very difficult to believe that al Buti was killed becausse he suddenly saw the light only few wks after calling for Jihad in favor of the regime.

The purpose is to induce sedition.

March 22nd, 2013, 12:03 pm

 

zoo said:

Have we heard any Arab League or OIC condemnation of the unprecedented killing in a mosque of an 84 old Sunni preacher?
I guess Qatar and Turkey are vetoing it.

Now that the UN condemned it, the AL will be obliged to follow.

March 22nd, 2013, 12:06 pm

 
 

zoo said:

Tara

I guess that as Al Khatib has openly defended Al Nusra’s attacks and suicide bombings as “helping” the revolution, it is extremely embarrassing for him to admit now that “his” allies are doing such sacrilegious acts.
Yet, using the argument that Al Buti saw the light in extremis and therefore was killed by the regime is so stupid than it makes me doubt about Al Kahtib’s intelligence and his ability to respond to moments of crisis.
Unfortunately he seems to be a very very weak character and this is probably why he has been put as the ‘president’ of the SNC. He bows to pressure very easily. Hitto (Turkey-USA-Israel) and Sabbagh (Qatar, MB), are leading the SNC with an iron hand. Al Khatib is just a facade.

March 22nd, 2013, 12:18 pm

 

Visitor said:

Condemning the killing of one man along with some bystanders is not the issue here. What at issue here is the pattern of these crimes which all point towards one and only one perpetrator which is the Evil embodied in the Assads.

As long as Evil is entrenched in these agents of Evil, Syria and Syrians will continue to suffer. When Evil is exorcised from Syria upon eliminating the Assads, then Syrians will again witness peace and tranquility.

As for Buti, condemning his killing and those who perished with him will not benefit him in the state he is in now. Because, now he is being questioned for his role and association with Evil, and he will have to pay an extremely painful and heavy price for all this association. We are told that a ‘scholar’ of debauchery will pay multiple times for his sins compared to an ordinary human being who may have committed the same sins but does not possess the ‘knowledge’ a ‘scholar’ who colludes knowingly with evil possesses.

March 22nd, 2013, 12:25 pm

 

AIG said:

Zoo,

Who killed Hariri? What do you believe?

March 22nd, 2013, 12:27 pm

 

Sami said:

Zoo,

How do you know for sure who perpetrated the heinous crime against Al-Buti and his followers but at the same time throw doubt over documented facts such as the abhorrent use of cluster munitions against civilians, SCUD’s that are directed blindly at civilian targets, and other more heinous crimes such as the numerous massacres committed by the regime as attested by numerous organizations starting with the UN?

Or are you moral outrage just directed at “opposition” crimes while disregarding regime atrocities?

March 22nd, 2013, 12:39 pm

 

Visitor said:

In my opinion, this piece of news is now more relevant and of far more importance than the killing of a person who has been immersed deep down to his ears with Evil,

http://www.alarabiya.net/ar/arab-and-world/syria/2013/03/22/????-???-????-??-?????-????????-???????-???-??????-??-?????.html

We know that Al-Buti was killed by the Evil because he sold himself to Evil. This is a fact that will never change. Evil always comes back to claim what it considers its rightful possessions from those who sell themselves to Evil. Look at Hitler, Moussolini and many many others. They all sold themselves to Evil and later on were claimed by Evil. In the case of Al-Buti, he was claimed by none other than the agent of Evil in Syria, i.e. Assad.

The above report further confirms that Evil is now in the process of consuming itself because Hassan Nasrilat also sold himself and his followers to Evil. Now, again, Evil is coming back to claim what it has bought from these soul sellers and will consume them. Have no doubts about it.

March 22nd, 2013, 12:48 pm

 
 

GEORGES said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xog_Azn9wcg

How will the US and friends funded self-proclaimed sole representative of syrians and government of syria with at its head a man who has US citizenship and is therefore subject to US laws, deal with these syrians?

TARA and Majedkhaldoun what is your opinion?

Even though I personally rather be under SNC ruling than under Jabhat Al-Nusra ruling, this is completely irrelevant because it is the opposite for the men in the video.

We need to throw away this entire idea of being “sole representator…” and forming self-proclaimed governments, which is a method comparable to the regime’s way of doing things. I’d like to see what will happen when this ‘government’ will try to enforce something on these men.

Regular people will eventually go with the one who is better able to provide services, in this case it will be the self-proclaimed government of Syria in whom the west will invest a lot of money to counter the growing influence of Jabhat Al-Nusra and groups with similar ideology.

We have to admit that this situation is ridiculous and a complete joke. SNC and US citizen prime minister Hitto now trying to govern the areas freed by rebels who don’t recognize their authority, including a group qualified as a terrorist group by the US. I may not like them because of their extremism but these groups are the only ones whose position is coherent.

If you want to counter their role then the alternative must come from within Syria by syrians, not in the way it is currently done.

I don’t know what to think of the revolution anymore.

March 22nd, 2013, 12:56 pm

 

apple_mini said:

As expected, Americans and Britons are deeply skeptical about the idea of arming Syria’s rebels, according to a bilateral poll: 45% against to 16% in favour in US and 57% oppose arming the rebels and 16% are in favour in UK.

So we challenge Cameron to go alone with France to send weapons to the rebels. We already know EU will not just let him get what they want.

This is a clear sign as we have known for long time. The world is fully aware of the Jihadi/terrorists infested rebel and Islamic dominated opposition which itself is corrupted with broken alliance and sinister agenda.

To Syrians and people out of Syria who have little learning from history and common sense, this is no longer a revolution. It is simply a more deadly evil force trying to take over a dictatorship.

Evey week, the rebels break a new record to show us how dirty they play their ruthless war game. In the meantime, the opposition shows us how shameless they can play their ”politics”.

At this moment, the opposition no longer has anyone can remotely bring any hope and shed light to the opposition movement. While the rebels will have to face the retaliation from more determined SAA for their most despicable terrorist attack.

March 22nd, 2013, 12:56 pm

 

zoo said:

Where are Turkey and Qatar to arm the Sunni minority to defend themselves against the Budhists?

Myanmar declares state of emergency as town reels from anti-Muslim riots

Eric Randolph
Mar 23, 2013

BANGKOK // Myanmar’s president declared a state of emergency in Meikhtila today after more than 30 people were killed in anti-Muslim riots.
Mosques have been destroyed and hundreds forced to flee their homes since the riots broke out on Wednesday in the central Myanmar town.

Read more: http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/myanmar-declares-state-of-emergency-as-town-reels-from-anti-muslim-riots#ixzz2OHwfwgsM

March 22nd, 2013, 12:56 pm

 

AIG said:

Visitor,

How about us Zionists, have we “sold ourselves to Evil” also and deserve death?

March 22nd, 2013, 1:00 pm

 

revenire said:

Syrian Perspective

Hujjayra:

In a battle that lasted but 5 minutes, elements of SAA’s SF 7th Brigade put the proverbial kibosh on the conspiring rats and killed the following:

Majdi Al-Dhirim (?)
Muhammad Ahwaash
Awni Bustaani
Hassan Al-Hassan
Jaad Musulmaani

6 others are without identification.

F`

March 22nd, 2013, 1:01 pm

 

zoo said:

The opposition should rejoice at the news of Israel and Turkey’s reconciliation after politically embattled Netanyahu had no choice than to humiliate himself and begged Erdogan forgiveness.

Erdogan will now ask his ally to contribute militarily to the massive destruction of Syria. A large regional war is looming.

March 22nd, 2013, 1:08 pm

 

Visitor said:

“29. AIG said:

Visitor,

How about us Zionists, have we “sold ourselves to Evil” also and deserve death?”

What I dislike most about you, AIG, is that you always misconstrue what others say. This also relates to your characteristic ‘dishonesty’ in argumentation trait. There was nothing in what I said that implies some people deserve death and others do not deserve death. I was discussing what Evil does to those who sell themselves to Evil. Can you deny that Hitler sold himself to Evil, for example? I will come back to this later.

But since, you brought up the question about the Zionists, then you must have some forebodings or apprehension about whether it is or is not evil. Otherwise you wouldn’t have asked the question. So, you, being a Zionist, would you care to answer your own question? Because you obviously know Zionism better than anyone else.

As for someone deserving or not death, it is not the issue here. No one will die before his time comes. This is a basic belief in Islam. When your time comes, you cannot delay it a millisecond or advance it a millisecond.

March 22nd, 2013, 1:26 pm

 

Sami said:

“Erdogan will now ask his ally to contribute militarily to the massive destruction of Syria”

They won’t have to do much by the looks of it, Bashar has had a two year start on that and has been disgustingly proficient at it as well.

Keep cheering him on…

March 22nd, 2013, 1:27 pm

 

AIG said:

Zoo,

You understand nothing about Israeli politics. How is Bibi “politically embattled”? He was doing Obama a favor by consolidating the front against the Ayatollahs and the Assad regime.

And what regional war are you dreaming about? Tell me, who are the sides in this war?

March 22nd, 2013, 1:32 pm

 

AIG said:

Visitor,

First of all, Zionism is a great good, the exact opposite of evil.

You write:
“We know that Al-Buti was killed by the Evil because he sold himself to Evil. This is a fact that will never change. Evil always comes back to claim what it considers its rightful possessions from those who sell themselves to Evil. Look at Hitler, Moussolini and many many others. They all sold themselves to Evil and later on were claimed by Evil. In the case of Al-Buti, he was claimed by none other than the agent of Evil in Syria, i.e. Assad.”

You clearly say that Al-Buti was killed by Evil because he sold himself to Evil and that is a fact that will never change. Let me understand, do you maintain that it is a universal law or enduring fact that anybody that sells himself to Evil will be also killed (when his time comes) by Evil? Just so I can understand can you explain which or what Evil killed Hitler? I am asking because I do not consider the forces that won the war against Germany as Evil so I am not sure what you mean.

March 22nd, 2013, 1:40 pm

 

Visitor said:

AIG @1:40PM,

Why do you need to ask me the question about Hitler when you already answered yourself?

Hitler killed himself. So Evil consumed itself. We are back to square one.

You should learn how to be less repetitive in your discourse and deduce on your own. Do you not have any deductive reasoning skills? We just finished discussing you comprehension skills. Now it seems we have to question other skills.

Being too repetitive makes you a pain in the neck. You realize that?

March 22nd, 2013, 1:46 pm

 

AIG said:

Visitor,

And the other very Evil Nazis that were killed by Americans or Russians or hanged after the Nuremberg trials, what Evil killed them? For example this guy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Frick

Is the opposite also true, that if someone does not die by Evil he is not Evil? It is another way of asking the question you did not answer if what you say about Evil being killed by Evil is a universal law or if sometimes there are exceptions.

March 22nd, 2013, 1:52 pm

 

Visitor said:

Thanks again to GEORGES @12:56PM for the video link.

1) I said everything the Mujahedeen in the video said in my replies to MajedK in comment 2 and following comments under previous thread here,

https://joshualandis.com/blog/?p=18105&cp=all#comments

2) I have been saying since day one Moaz was elected, legitimacy can only be granted by the people and cannot be awarded by foreign governments.

3) All the speakers in the video are Syrians. It is crystal clear from their accents.

4) Any so-called help from outside governments must be given WITH NO CONDITIONS, and anyone from among the fighting forces of the revolution on the ground can have access to it equally with NO DISTINCTION.

5) Failing point (4) above, leave the Mujahedeen for themselves and go back to your careers. The holy Warriors are doing great on their own. No need for your patronizing from far away lands.

March 22nd, 2013, 1:53 pm

 

ann said:

NATOs Dutch Mercenary Terrorists are dying in Syria

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=75c_1363900462

Today the death of 20 year old Dutch-Moroccan Jihad fighter Soufian was announced. Earlier this week Dutch-Morroccan Jihadi Mourad (pic), also 20, was killed in Syria. Both men lived in Delft, a picturesque well preserved 16/17th century town popular with tourists.

The Dutch secret service AIVD (a bunch of clerks excelling at desk research) warned potential Jihad enthusiasts dying to go to Syria, that fighting for the rebels could actually be dangerous. According to the AIVD dozens of Dutch nationals (of Moroccan and other foreign/islamic descent) have already left for Syria to fight.

Two Dutch terrorism experts said the limited military experience of Dutch Jihadists and their inability to speak Arabic, makes them suitable only for odd jobs behind the front lines or as cannon fodder.

[…]

March 22nd, 2013, 1:57 pm

 

Visitor said:

“37. AIG said:

Visitor,

And the other very Evil Nazis that were killed by Americans or Russians or hanged after the Nuremberg trials, what Evil killed them? For example this guy:
………”

Again, use your brain and try to make some deductions on your own. It is the Evil which they associated themselves with which killed them.

You may say, also because you are so slow to comprehend, that if the allies did not execute them, they may repent and dissociate themselves from Evil. But Allah knows best and made the allies chose to execute them, because Allah knows beforehand, that they will not repent.

The allies were just tools. If the allies chose not to execute them, for example, just for the sake of argument because you are so slow to comprehend, they would still have been consumed by Evil when their time comes.

March 22nd, 2013, 2:12 pm

 

AIG said:

Visitor,

You forgot to answer this part of the question:
“Is the opposite also true, that if someone does not die by Evil he is not Evil? It is another way of asking the question you did not answer if what you say about Evil being killed by Evil is a universal law or if sometimes there are exceptions.”

I also don’t understand what you mean. You say both the Allies and the Evil they associated with killed them. How could two different things kill the same person? Perhaps it is more accurate to say that because they were evil the Allies hanged them and not to say that Evil killed them?

March 22nd, 2013, 2:22 pm

 

ann said:

NATOs FSA Libyan Terrorists burning down a church

March 22nd, 2013, 2:50 pm

 

zoo said:

While Hollande is having his megalomania “a la Sarkozy’ seizure to ‘liberate’ Syria in order to cover up his failure in France, the USA is not budging

US not ready yet to cross Syrian ‘red line’

http://www.dw.de/us-not-ready-yet-to-cross-syrian-red-line/a-16692100?maca=en-rss-en-world-4025-rdf

The calls for a military intervention in Syria are getting louder, but Washington is still reluctant – even though both the Assad regime and the rebels are accusing each other of using chemical weapons.

US President Barack Obama summed it up in one short sentence: “It is not easy.” The two years of civil war in Syria have cost more than 70,000 lives so far. All international efforts, embargos and diplomatic moves have failed to force President Bashar al-Assad to step down. But the US remains hesitant when it comes to possibly getting involved in the military conflict.

But could the tables be turning? Reports from Syria on Tuesday alleged that chemical weapons had been used in the fighting. Obama repeated during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanjahu on Wednesday that the use of chemical weapons would fundamentally change the situation.

But so far it remains unclear who was behind Tuesday’s rocket attack on Aleppo and whether indeed chemical weapons were used. Rebels and government forces accused each other while the UN is now investigating the reports following a request by Assad. But Obama wants to see facts first before he makes any decisions.

March 22nd, 2013, 2:57 pm

 

zoo said:

After failing once, France is plotting again to force Hitto in the EU throat and allow it to vomit the removal of the arms embargo

France seeking to boost image of SNC with EU Ministers

22/03/2013
By John Keating
http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2300062&Language=en

PARIS, March 22 (KUNA) — France is seeking to further burnish the image of the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) as the only legitimate representative of the Syrian people and a moderate opposition force capable of succeeding the regime of Bashar Al-Assad, and bringing a semblance of stability back to Syria, according to diplomats and officials here on Friday.
France is eager to portray the SNC as a reliable and almost “structured” political and military force, although diplomats here admit the opposition body still needs better organisation and a more coherent “military command structure” in addition to “structuring” at the political level.

The appointment on Tuesday this week of Ghassan Hitto, as “interim” Prime Minister of an opposition-led government, was viewed as a positive step in building the political structures at the SNC, which is now seen as having an “executive entity.”

There are also hopes here that this entity will be accepted at the Arab League Summit, March 26-27, in Doha as the legitimate representative of Syria in the 22-nation body.

Despite the need for more progress, diplomats here say that the SNC is sufficiently functional to receive weapons and training that would help “shift the power balance” in Syria and make the Damascus regime realise it cannot militarily defeat the opposition.
They pointed out that the opposition was resisting currently despite what was described as “waves of arms deliveries” to Al-Assad from Russia and other supporters.
Official sources in Paris indicated that Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and SNC President Moath Al-Khatib spoke on Thursday, ahead of an important European Union informal meeting in Dublin, Ireland, “to get an overview of the structures being built” in the SNC.
The conversation also addressed the French push, backed by Britain, to supply weapons to the SNC-controlled fighters.

March 22nd, 2013, 3:02 pm

 

zoo said:

Mikati, the Sunni PM of Lebanon is right to resign.
It’s time for Hariri to come back from Paris and put some order in Lebanon…

March 22nd, 2013, 3:15 pm

 

zoo said:

If Bashar Al Assad’s rule is not ended by 2014, it would be the biggest and the most humiliating political failure for both Erdogan and Obama. It may also cost Erdogan’ presidency. Nine months to go.

Obama warns of extremist threat in Syria

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Anxious to keep Syria’s civil war from spiraling into even worse problems, President Barack Obama said Friday he worries about the country becoming a haven for extremists when — not if — President Bashar Assad is ousted from power.

Obama, standing side by side with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, said the international community must work together to ensure there is a credible opposition ready to step into the breach.

March 22nd, 2013, 3:23 pm

 

Syrialover said:

New post and thread started

March 22nd, 2013, 3:31 pm

 

Defensive jihad in Syria — War in Context said:

[…] Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi asks: How do the jihadist rebels generally conceive of jihad in the Syrian civil war? […]

March 22nd, 2013, 9:36 pm

 

redz said:

please don’t cite the middle east forum a racist Likud outfit which hates Muslims as your source

considering your a fellow which must mean they are paying you for this Joshua landis needs to acknowledge this before he puts this on his blog just like the fox news source basing its story in unknown sing arab news site it claims for anti-Christian story

if he doesn’t anybody reading this blog needs to take this into account because then it reflects on joshua landis as a neutral observer if you are such

March 22nd, 2013, 9:47 pm