Syrian Rebels Start to Fight Each Other

[Paul Pott]

http://news.antiwar.com/2013/03/26/syrian-rebel-infighting-islamists-clash-with-secularists/


There have been long-standing concerns that the Syrian Civil War would, assuming the rebels win, simply lead to another war between secular and Islamist rebels. They don’t seem to be waiting for the first war to be over, however, as the Jabhat al-Nusra is in increasingly open warfare with (http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2013/03/26/186970/islamists-secular-rebels-battle.html) the Farouq Battalions, a segment of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), in the northeast.
http://news.antiwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/syria3.gifThe attempted assassination of a top commander (http://world.time.com/2013/03/26/in-syria-the-rebels-have-begun-to-fight-among-themselves/) in the Farouqs, Mohammad al-Daher, has sparked anger across the region, and with FSA factions holding the border crossings in the area, could set the stage for a battle across the Jazira region, which the Syrian government has mostly abandoned in favor of defensive positions around Damascus.
The rhetoric has been setting the stage for this for awhile, with Jabhat al-Nusra calling the Farouqs thieves and non-believers, while al-Daher, speaking from his hospital bed, said he believes he will be killed “either by the regime of by the Jabhat. There is no difference, they are both dirty.”
This divide is a long-standing problem for the rebels, though realistically as foreign jihadists flock to the nation the Jabhat al-Nusra seems to be getting stronger while more and more secularists, scared by the Islamist tone of the rebel movement, are backing out.


This could change the course of the war depending on how the loyalists react.

There have been reports the US may start attacking Islamists in Syria by drone.

[l'Enfermé]

Ugh, Salafists. Silly wankers. It's written in the Quran: First kill all the Shia apostates, and only then kill the Sunni apostates. On the other hand, maybe if they behead enough Sunni apostates while howling "Allahu Akbar", Allah will aid them in their crusade against the Shia apostates, the completion of which, in turn, would convince Allah to aid them in their crusade against Sunni apostates. They just have to find the right apostate-killing balance, I suppose.

[Comrade Nasser]

Ugh, Salafists. Silly wankers. It's written in the Quran: First kill all the Shia apostates, and only then kill the Sunni apostates. On the other hand, maybe if they behead enough Sunni apostates while howling "Allahu Akbar", Allah will aid them in their crusade against the Shia apostates, the completion of which, in turn, would convince Allah to aid them in their crusade against Sunni apostates. They just have to find the right apostate-killing balance, I suppose.

A bit harsh what you wrote don't you think? Not saying I support any religion but it could be seen as offensive I guess lol.

[khad]

The Faroq Battalions are "moderate" Salafists. But this is expected given the narrow ideological spectrum of the opposition. Most of these armed groups orbit in the general vicinity of the Muslim Brothers.

This was from almost a year ago
http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/7297


Homs Opposition: Al Farouq Battalion is Killing Us
By Sharmine Narwani - Sun, 2012-05-13 18:17-


It is extremely rare to have a direct peephole into events on the ground in Syria. The hard-fought battle over narratives often leaves truth in the dust. But among the cache of recently leaked emails (exclusive to Al Akhbar (http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/snc-emails-clinton-kilo-and-al-farouq-batallion)) from Syrian National Council (SNC) President Burhan Ghalioun’s inbox, comes this gem – important information that further highlights the glaring loophole in UN Envoy Kofi Annan’s demilitarization plans (http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/crunch-time-syria-un-protocol%E2%80%99s-jihadist-problem) for Syria: rogue fighters.

The email (http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/snc-emails-clinton-kilo-and-al-farouq-batallion) sent to Ghalioun on March 25 summarizes a meeting held by members of various armed opposition groups operating in Homs – chiefly to address the pressing problem of the rogue al-Farouq Battalion.

The email’s author “Abu Majd” claims that 24 different armed groups in Homs started to work together in part because of the behavior of the Farouq Battalion, some of whose members are shown in this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=F3tAgNEPCmE#%21) from a few days ago.

A year ago, 2 out of the 3 largest rebel groups, including the al-Farouq Battalion, were considered Salafists:
http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/7297

Syrian opposition sources concur that the three largest armed rebel formations active in the country are the Rijal Allah (Men of God) Brigade, the Khalid Ibn al-Walid Battalion, and the al-Farouq Battalion. They each have different orientations and outlooks. The Khalid Ibn al-Walid Battalion is loyal to and supported by the Muslim Brotherhood. Most of the al-Farouq Battalion’s members are Salafis, armed and funded by Saudi Arabia. Both of these groups are at odds with Rijal Allah and other factions, such as the Ali Ibn Abi-Taleb Brigade, which accuse them of pursuing foreign agendas.

You can take a look at one of their videos to judge for yourself:
F3tAgNEPCmE

[l'Enfermé]

A bit harsh what you wrote don't you think? Not saying I support any religion but it could be seen as offensive I guess lol.
Offensive? I don't think we have any Salafists here that would get offended.

[Paul Pott]

Khad, what do you make of the relationship between the Muslim Brotherhood and Saudi Arabia? According to the media and a lot of analysis, the House of Saud fears the MB gaining too much influence, and they've apparently even funded the liberal wing of the opposition in Egypt against Morsi. Yet their money and arms are everywhere in Syria, where the MB is very powerful in the rebel movement. What's the Saudi strategy here?

[Sasha]

Khad, what do you make of the relationship between the Muslim Brotherhood and Saudi Arabia? According to the media and a lot of analysis, the House of Saud fears the MB gaining too much influence, and they've apparently even funded the liberal wing of the opposition in Egypt against Morsi. Yet their money and arms are everywhere in Syria, where the MB is very powerful in the rebel movement. What's the Saudi strategy here?

The fact that they want to undermine Iran doesn't mean they would like a MB power block either. It's political powerplay. Enemy of my enemy etc etc. That a stable Syria aligned with Tehran is perceived as a bigger thread than a volatile conservative-capitalist one doesn't mean they would like the same in the far more important Egypt that is/could be a regional power player it self.

[khad]

Khad, what do you make of the relationship between the Muslim Brotherhood and Saudi Arabia? According to the media and a lot of analysis, the House of Saud fears the MB gaining too much influence, and they've apparently even funded the liberal wing of the opposition in Egypt against Morsi. Yet their money and arms are everywhere in Syria, where the MB is very powerful in the rebel movement. What's the Saudi strategy here?
It's varied, because when we talk about the Saudis we often lump in all the Gulf States as a whole. There are various factional interests among them. Qatar, in particular, is the closest to the Brothers and and is pretty much 100% behind them. Saudi Arabia not to that extent, though there are many agents of the Saudi state who do aid them. IIRC, Saudi intelligence (including a royal family member) was present at a supposed auction for suicide bombers to send to Syria.

3ha94Xz59dg

[Le Socialiste]

I feel like the presence and influence of these Islamist groups are vastly overstated, especially on here where some people like to bash anything that doesn't fit their cookie-cutter vision of what a rebel movement ought to look like. The reality is the Islamists make up a fraction of the forces involved in the rebellion (something like 10,000 out of 80-90,000 - which is still a lot, but not nearly as large as some like to make it out to be). In any event, these fundamentalist types will have to be dealt with some way or another. It's just a matter of when (although it looks like things are already heating up).

[l'Enfermé]

I feel like the presence and influence of these Islamist groups are vastly overstated, especially on here where some people like to bash anything that doesn't fit their cookie-cutter vision of what a rebel movement ought to look like. The reality is the Islamists make up a fraction of the forces involved in the rebellion (something like 10,000 out of 80-90,000 - which is still a lot, but not nearly as large as some like to make it out to be). In any event, these fundamentalist types will have to be dealt with some way or another. It's just a matter of when (although it looks like things are already heating up).
You are pretty wrong then, comrade. The two largest Islamist groups are currently the Jabhat al-Nosra li-ahl al-Sham min Mujahedi al-Sham fi sahat al-Jihad("The front for supporting the people of al-sham by the mujahedin of alsham on the battlefields of Jihad" - these fucks are basically an outgrowth of the Iraqi Al-Qaida) and Al-Jabha Al-Islamiyya Al-Suriyya(Syrian Islamic Front, a coalition of Salafist groups that merged last December under the aegis Ahrar al-Sham). The last time I saw estimates of al-Nosra's strength, the figure was around 15,000 thousand men. I don't remember if that included the numerous smaller factions that operate under al-Nosra's wing but are officially independent gangs(like the Jung al-Sham, Kataeb al-Muhajerin, Fath al-Islam, etc., etc.,). The SIF leadership, when they merged in December, estimated its strength at 30,000. The real figure is probably closer to 20,000-25,000 thousand, though on other hand, their numbers definitely rose since then so they might have 30,000 men at this point. And this doesn't even include all the Salafists in the "secular" armed groups.

Salafi Jihadists form both the backbone of the opposition in Syria and its most effective fighting force by far. Without them there is no opposition really, except for NATO lackeys in Turkey and whatever.

[DROSL]

Wow. It's total free-for-all. I'm currently neutral about this conflict.

[Comrade Nasser]

Offensive? I don't think we have any Salafists here that would get offended.

Haha I guess you're right :D

[Comrade Nasser]

I feel like the presence and influence of these Islamist groups are vastly overstated, especially on here where some people like to bash anything that doesn't fit their cookie-cutter vision of what a rebel movement ought to look like. The reality is the Islamists make up a fraction of the forces involved in the rebellion (something like 10,000 out of 80-90,000 - which is still a lot, but not nearly as large as some like to make it out to be). In any event, these fundamentalist types will have to be dealt with some way or another. It's just a matter of when (although it looks like things are already heating up).

Yeah, they do make up a small number of the rebels (but sadly the islamists tend to be the ones seen on the news because these idiots use these videos that they film on their websites as recruiting tools to lure young men to go wage "holy war" hence all the "Allahu Ahkbar") but these Salafis/Wahabis whatever are TERRORISTS plain and simple. Lopping off heads of Christians and other religious branches of Islam are against so many peoples morals.

That doesn't mean old Assad is a saint either. But many are saying that he "Protects religious minorities". I don't know what to believe honestly...

[Sasha]

these fucks are basically an outgrowth of the Iraqi Al-Qaida


makes me wonder who invited them into syria and gave them a foothold by suplying them with bases and arms there in the first place... oh wait, it was this dude called Assad, yeah.... :rolleyes:

[L.A.P.]

The fact that they want to undermine Iran doesn't mean they would like a MB power block either. It's political powerplay. Enemy of my enemy etc etc. That a stable Syria aligned with Tehran is perceived as a bigger thread than a volatile conservative-capitalist one doesn't mean they would like the same in the far more important Egypt that is/could be a regional power player it self.

sometimes, I can't tell if the Saudi bourgeoisie are really confused or are playing this really well-coordinated game with the rest of the ruling class

[goalkeeper]

makes me wonder who invited them into syria and gave them a foothold by suplying them with bases and arms there in the first place... oh wait, it was this dude called Assad, yeah.... :rolleyes:

It's funny to see ultra "anti-imp" groups like the CPGB-ML cuss the "al Qaeda fucks" when they are killing people in Syria, but a few years ago were praising them as the "Resistance" in Iraq.

[l'Enfermé]

makes me wonder who invited them into syria and gave them a foothold by suplying them with bases and arms there in the first place... oh wait, it was this dude called Assad, yeah.... :rolleyes:
The implication of this being that socialists should cheer for salafists fighting against the Syrian government because years ago the Syrian government allied with these Salafists for the common goal of fighting American power in the region, yes?

That doesn't sound like a good idea to me. You really have to stop pretending that anyone who isn't so fond of the Syrian wahhabis and ikhwanis is a supporter of Assad.

[Le Socialiste]

Salafi Jihadists form both the backbone of the opposition in Syria and its most effective fighting force by far. Without them there is no opposition really, except for NATO lackeys in Turkey and whatever.

I think you're wrong about the extent to which Islamic fundamentalists form the so-called backbone of the Syrian opposition. I've said it before, in a post from a couple months ago (http://www.revleft.com/vb/showpost.php?p=2514464&postcount=45):


The situation in Syria is far more complex than what people have said here, with the exception of a few. Thus it becomes necessary to look at each and every side, not as monolithic entities devoid of internal diversity and differences, but as an ever shifting movement composed of an array of class forces. In many ways Agathor is correct - there are a lot of pieces moving around, ranging from the Free Syrian Army to the Local Coordinating Committees based in the communities and neighborhoods throughout Syria. Even these two, arguably the backbone of the movement to oust Assad, are made up a variety of political and ideological differences. Y'all back the Syrian working-class? It's in the Local Coordinating Committees, the same councils that organized - and continue to organize - regular street protests against the current regime, provide for community members, and work in tandem with the FSA and a number of other armed groups. The FSA isn't altogether unified in its aims and longterm purpose; rather, its composition (loosely-connected groups of fighters) renders it a diverse body centralized around Assad's ouster.

The international community has little to no influence over the course of the civil war, though they may try to sway it one way or another. The U.S. and its allies have only been able to supply small firearms through countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, but the bulk of these weapons are acquired via the black market. While the powers-that-be would like nothing more than a movement dominated by friendly interests, their reach and pull are minimal at best. They're more interested in overthrowing Assad, and are less concerned with the composition of a movement that is beyond their control (at the moment).

Does this mean I support the rebels? I think its a little more complicated than that. We can't always cast things in black and white, which many of you are. The reality is a mass movement has arisen in Syria after months of development and struggle. Now there are groups and individuals within the movement that are less savory than others (Islamic fundamentalists, conservatives, etc. come to mind), but these factors shouldn't discredit the rest in our eyes. Our response needs to be readily revised and adaptable in accordance with what's happening on the ground; furthermore, the situation requires a more nuanced approach that is severely lacking in most people's responses. I don't support Assad - anyone on this site who does has a severe misunderstanding of Marxism, including what it is and means in relation to past and present events. I don't support those elements within the anti-Assad movement that would readily subvert and manipulate it to serve theirs and other's interests. But I do support what's grown to be a mass growing movement that has unified and emboldened an entire class, resulting in organic, embryonic formations of working people utilizing their strength via committees and armed resistance.

Consider this passage from a July edition of Frontline, a leftist newspaper in Syria that highlights how certain groups and councils within the FSA operate (this particular military council, based in Deir el-Zour, gave the following orders to FSA fighters):


--It is forbidden to set up checkpoints and inconvenience people.

-- It is forbidden to kill regime informants, but if you catch one, you can beat them and then deliver them to their family.

-- It is forbidden to interfere with or attack Alawites in Deir Ezzour.

-- Members of the FSA must pay for anything received from the people either by paying cash, or working: harvest the fields, build [or help rebuild], etc.
Or this Code of Conduct, published by the Local Coordinating Committees, which includes a pledge by FSA fighters not to "exercise reprisals on the basis of ethnicity, sect, religion or any other basis."

Other pledges and regulations include:


Article IV
I pledge not to practice any form of torture, rape, mutilation, or degradation. I will preserve prisoners’ rights and will not exercise any of the above practices in order to obtain confessions.

...

Article VI
I will not engage in any practice that leads to the physical torture or murder of prisoners or informants, and I will not participate in any public execution.

Article VII
I pledge not to engage in any form of theft or looting on the pretext that I am helping to finance the armed struggle. I pledge not to take any person hostage for ransom.

Yes, there are a lot of factors and elements that we should and must highlight in regards to the Syrian revolution, namely the small but sizable presence of fundamentalists and proxy sectarian groups representing the interests of their foreign backers. While the movement's future remains to be seen, what's clear is that the working-class has been deeply and irrefutably involved in its development. If or when Assad is overthrown, it is the task of these bodies to continue their struggle, to deepen and expand it beyond its present lines. They have the means for doing so, it's just a question of the balance of forces in the country and the global community, and what those forces are willing to do to in the near to longterm.

Anyone who intends to round out a sound analysis of the situation in Syria must take these components into consideration.