Al Nusra was an offshoot of al-Qaeda in Iraq. Assad allowed the organization to set up bases to attack American soldiers. Then when the Muslim Brotherhood began their uprising against Assad, al-Qaeda under the guise of al-Nusra Front joined in and have become the backbone of the revolt. Now in a move that just formalizes what really existed, AQI and al-Nusra officially merge.
BEIRUT (AP) — Al-Qaida’s branch in Iraq said it has merged with Syria’s extremist Jabhat al-Nusra, a move that shows the rising confidence of radicals within the Syrian rebel movement and is likely to trigger renewed fears among its international backers.
A website linked to Jabhat al-Nusra confirmed on Tuesday the merger with the Islamic State of Iraq, whose leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, first made the announcement in a 21-minute audio message posted on militant websites late Monday.
[….]
The Syrian group has made little secret of its links across the Iraqi border, but until now it has not officially declared itself to be part of al-Qaida.
Al-Baghdadi said that his group – the Islamic State of Iraq – and Syria’s Jabhat al-Nusra will now be known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.
“It is time to announce to the Levantine people and the whole world that Jabhat al-Nusra is merely an extension and part of the Islamic State of Iraq,” he said.
This is who officials in both parties want to go to war for. They want the US to assist the same organization that attacked us on 9/11 and killed US soldiers in Iraq. If this is not treason, then I do not know what is.
Update: Hizb’Allah buries more of it members killed by al-Qaeda.
Two Hizbullah members fighting alongside Syrian government forces in the Qusayr area near the border with Lebanon were killed on Monday, a source close to the party said.
“Two members of Hizbullah who went to Syria to fight against armed groups in the Qusayr sector have been killed,” the source said.
Meanwhile, MTV had reported earlier on Monday that heavy gunshots were fired during the funeral of Hizbullah member Hamza Ibrahim Ghamlush who died in clashes in Qusayr’s countryside on Sunday.
The Hezies are not that tough when going up against a ruthless enemy.
Update II: The Muslim Brotherhood linked FSA, which the US labels as Moderates, defends their al-Qaeda allies.
(Hat Tip: Weasel Zippers via Lobo91)
Tags: al Nusra Front, Al-Qaeda in Iraq, Arab Spring, Popular Uprising, Syrian War
