Posted on 08/31/2013 10:36:48 AM PDT by kristinn
An anticipated U.S.-led strike on Syria has not only put government forces on alert, it has also alarmed rebels, in particular Islamist groups linked to al Qaeda who worry they too are targets.
The United States said on Friday it was planning a limited response to punish Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for a "brutal and flagrant" chemical weapons attack it says killed more than 1,400 people in Damascus two weeks ago.
But Islamist rebels are wary, particularly experienced foreign militants who have joined their ranks and may have seen at first-hand U.S. military campaigns and drone strikes on al Qaeda fighters across the region.
Islamist forces have cleared many of their bases of fighters, vehicles and weaponry, according to rebels and sources close to Qaeda-linked fighters.
"Of course we've been moving our fighters and equipment. Do you think we trust the Americans?" said a fighter from the moderate Islamist rebel group called Liwa al-Islam, speaking by Skype from a suburb outside the capital Damascus.
"They gave Assad two weeks' notice to clear his bases. We know we're the real target."
Al Qaeda-linked groups such as the Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) appear to be taking even more extensive and secretive measures.
"ISIL has evacuated many of its centers, mainly in northern and eastern Syria. They've increased security for the emirs (leaders), changing their locations and their cars - they fear homing chips could have been placed in the cars," said a source in Lebanon who is close Qaeda-linked groups in Syria.
Charles Lister, an analyst at IHS Jane's Terrorism and Insurgency center, said there was nothing to indicate Western plans for an attack on such groups in Syria right now.
"But they are essentially hedging their bets. There's too much to lose...
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
This is getting Syrious!
Lots of High-Fives going on since they found out they duped the Big Choomer.
Good. If they’re all hiding in the same place they’ll be cheaper and easier to kill.
They don't have to hide...a piece of cotton in their ears is what they need. All Obama is going to do is try to talk them to death!!
Why would Obama want to kill his allies?
Only in Bizarro world.
Y’all can come out now.
Thanks kristinn.
Secularists started the Revolution but Al-Qaeda hijacked it.
Secularists started the Revolution but Al-Qaeda hijacked it.
I guess they can come out now.
Hmmm, let’s see if ANY of them get hit if it happens. Indicating a rather direct coordination with the al-qaeda in Syria muslim brotherhood.... our new allies.
The Russians have it about right. And, uh, this is about a natural gas pipeline btw more than anything else vs. Russian dominance of the natural gas supplies to Europe.
To the extent that the Kenyan might be waving a red flag at a bull this rope-a-dope might be a good idea. Telegraphing an un-specified strike would tend to get everybody moving, making those who had been laying low already get nervous and move. I assume we’d be watching for the “scurry”. And so would the Israelis. They might even move something important. But there’s no way I’m giving this bunch credit for being that smart AND being capable of taking advantage of the new dope. Anybody know if John Kerry has found Genghis Khan yet?
Obama always does his best to let all the bad guys know in advance so they can avoid his “rightful wrath”, sorry I meant wishy washy responses that get Americans killed and tax dollars wasted.
What? Obama's on your side, idiots!
Another Reuters POV
Opposition fighters across Syria are preparing to launch attacks that exploit anticipated U.S. military strikes against the Syrian regime, though there are no plans to coordinate with Western forces, a spokesman for the rebels’ Supreme Military Council said Aug. 31, Reuters reported.
The council has sent a selection for rebel groups a military plan of action to follow if strikes indeed take place, the spokesman said. No information has been offered to the rebels by the United States or any other Western country that supports the strikes, he said, though there may have been consultations with Salim Idriss, the head of the council.
Simply eliminating the bulk of the regime’s artillery and air force would instantly tilt the balance of power toward the rebels.
It’s not about natural gas. It’s not about oil.
Please stop spreading internet nonsense.
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