Syria conflict: New insight into shadowy jihadist group

[UnrepentantLiberal]

A new report has cast unprecedented light on Jabhat al-Nusra - the shadowy al-Qaeda-linked group in Syria that has become a key player in the conflict. The document by the UK-based think-tank Quilliam Foundation says the group has developed from al-Qaeda militants in Iraq and now has about 5,000 members.

It says the group - which has claimed deadly attacks against the government - will fight on even if President Bashar al-Assad's regime falls.

The group, the document says, is now "adapting to the changing conflict, and making preparations for a post-Assad future". This includes "the procurement of heavy weaponry".

The rebel group has alarmed Western and Arab governments by its fanaticism and links to al-Qaeda, the BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner says.

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20950132

[leveymg]

1. We've created a safe haven for AQ in Syria. Good going, Hillary and David. Brilliant

strategy, you have them cornered.

ME Regime change = safe spaces for Jihad.

[John2]

2. I wish

our Government would just stop intefering and take care of problems at home. We are just the modern day Roman and British Empire, where only a few people benefit. If it benefited everyone in the United States, then I would see the need, but it doesn't. This nation building is benefiting the rest of us negatively. They are demanding that we lower our standards of living to benefit those at the top. That is the connection with our spending money at home. It takes money to run an Empire. We are in the business of financing foreign mercenaries to protect the interests of the wealthy. That is just the way I see this. So convince me otherwise.