Syrian Rebels Blast US for Labeling al-Nusra as Terrorists
Insist Group Remains Vital to Ongoing Civil War
The US may have endorsed the Syrian National Coalition as the “legitimate” rulers of Syria, but the group is not nearly so keen on the US, with several of its leaders faulting the Obama Administration for labeling the Al-Nusra Front a terrorist organization.
The US accuses al-Nusra of ties with al-Qaeda, and of potentially just being another name for al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI). The group has denied the allegations, but what can’t be denied is that they have used AQI-style tactics, including suicide bombings against civilian areas, as a centerpiece of their strategy.
In theory the label makes all the sense in the world. In practice al-Nusra has become a huge part of the rebels’ military strategy, and the other rebels concede the group is vital to the ongoing civil war.
Which brings the US goal of military-imposed regime change in direct conflict with the labeling, and has apparently irked not just rebels, but other Arab states backing the rebels, who fear that overtly backing a US-named terror group could be problematic.
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mojo
December 13th, 2012 at 9:36 pm
It's funny.., the way things sometimes works.., here U.S government actually "alienated" one of its friends, which means that U.S have found himself another terrorist group to fight with.., means that war on terror will continue for….., ohhhh let say another hundred years to com.
Sid
December 14th, 2012 at 2:04 am
"and has apparently irked not just rebels, but other Arab states backing the rebels, who fear that overtly backing a US-named terror group could be problematic."
A very general statement, who and what are you referring to Jason?
Sid
December 14th, 2012 at 11:00 am
My friend, an empire without enemies to fight is like a junkie without drugs. For both, life can not go on without their respective addictions.