'al-Qaeda is urging Syrian rebels to now turn on ‘Jews and Crusaders’ (Christians)'

BBC ^ | Dec 8 | Frank Gardner

[RandFan]

By Fran Gardner (BBC Security correspondent)

When the celebratory gunfire subsides, and the prisons and torture chambers of Assad’s brutal, kleptocratic regime are emptied, Syria will find itself at a crossroads.

This could now go either way.

If Abu Mohammed Al-Jawlani, the leader of HTS, the main victorious rebel group, is true to his word, then there is a chance for this country to transition to a more pluralistic, democratic future, supported by the UN and others.

But HTS, and some of its fellow travellers, have a violent past, rife with allegations of human rights abuses. It is a proscribed terrorist organisation by the UN and several governments.

Already al-Qaeda is urging the rebels to now turn on ‘Jews and Crusaders’ (their term for all Christians).

Syria has many minorities, and those who are not Sunni Muslims, as the rebels are, have good reason to fear for their future.

Although there are some encouraging early signs that a transition of power can be managed, there remains a serious risk that Syria could go the way of Libya and descend into a years-long morass of competing armed factions, looting, and mayhem.

[RandFan]

Great... HTS though has nothing to do with AQ anymore. They split a long time ago.

[dfwgator]

It’s going to turn into another Lebanon.

[MinorityRepublican]

Realistically, the best they can hope is for a Sunni strongman who's relatively tolerant of all faiths.

But this is the Middle East. It will have a bad ending.

[BobL]

“It’s going to turn into another Lebanon.”

FAR WORSE - Our ‘Friends’ there that just took power are not good people. Hopefully the Christians will be able to flee somewhere, but where?

[srmanuel]

I think we would be fortunate to have Syria turn into another Lebanon, think of a caliphate in the middle of the Lavant.

Now the “rebels” have an entire country and all its resources to turn on their enemies in Israel and the West.

Combine Syria and Afghanistan as bases for terrorist training and staging areas and it will be major problem.

[dfwgator]

Yep. These were McCain's pals.

[Right_Wing_Madman]

If Abu Mohammed Al-Jawlani, the leader of HTS, the main victorious rebel group, is true to his word, then there is a chance for this country to transition to a more pluralistic, democratic future, supported by the UN and others.

I figured this would be the Deep State/MSM/Zeeper narrative: "This is a kindler, gentler version of ISIS. Don't get so worked up about it."

By the way, Al-Jawlani has said in the past he has zero interest in democracy. The Islamic State would be run strictly according to the principles of Muhammad's Caliph.

[MinorityRepublican]

Combine Syria and Afghanistan as bases for terrorist training and staging areas and it will be major problem.

Assad was a secular dictator but he was allowing Hezbollah to use his territory. And Hezbollah launched their attacks against Israel

[dp0622]

Israel would take them.

Everyone always bashes them, but they are the only ones that would.

[Nifster]

Not surprising

[srmanuel]

Assad was not a good guy that’s a given, IMO the alternative will have now will turn out to be a far worse, these people are true believers.

In the short term, the media will tell us how Assad being removed from power, justifying our basing soldiers there and all the money we’ve spent trying to overthrow Assad.

I could be wrong, but past history shows up these regime changes in the middle east all turn out one-way, true believers and radicals get in power and all hell breaks loose.

[MinorityRepublican]

I could be wrong, but past history shows up these regime changes in the middle east all turn out one-way, true believers and radicals get in power and all hell breaks loose.

HTS (also known as Nusra Front) will take control. They're basically Al-Qaeda. There are other rebel groups who may be more "moderate" but they're going to be outgunned.

[wardaddy]

We and Israel supported wrong side from jump street
Why Israel thinks this bunch beats Assad escapes me

[wardaddy]

Thanks
So many uninformed here
Just like with Ukraine

Of course we do have our share of paid blob bots here

Usually they do double duty bashing Trump

[Netz]

After years of disappointment (and tons of bloodshed) from Islamicists how and why would a Western journalist think the following:

If Abu Mohammed Al-Jawlani, the leader of HTS, the main victorious rebel group, is true to his word, then there is a chance for this country to transition to a more PLURALISTIC, DEOMOCRATIC future, supported by the UN and others.

Did anybody see their flag? Is anybody paying attention to who these scum are? The flag is the same radical Islamic one used during the civil war in Libya.

Why do Westerners even use the words “Pluralistic and Democratic”. These people are savages - wake up!

[srmanuel]

Here’s one of the lines that I think we will soon hear from the Intelligence Community and deep state with Trump taking over.

One of the main backers of Assad in Syria has been Russia, with Assad now being run out of power, Russia could easily lose their access to the Mediterranean and influence in the area.

The logic will be, by tying up Russia in Ukraine and making them pay a big price to keep the war going justifies the support we have given to Ukraine, if Trump stops the support to Ukraine and ends the war it will only empower Russia to get back involved in the Middle East, proving Trump and his advisors are Russian Agents.

[NorseViking]

More like Libya.

[NorseViking]

Why do you think Israel created hamas to start with?

[deport]

HELP NEEDED if you can

[Nervous Tick]

>> It’s going to turn into another Lebanon.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Anyone that believes that the leopard called Islam can and will change its spots is a damn fool. Hate, antisemitism, antichrist, stealing, killing and destroying are baked into its demonic DNA. ALLAH == SATAN!