"Brutality of Syrian Rebels Posing Dilemma in West"

[applegrove]

Brutality of Syrian Rebels Posing Dilemma in West

By C. J. CHIVERS at the NY Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/05/world/middleeast/brutality-of-syrian-rebels-pose-dilemma-in-west.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130905&_r=1&

"SNIP...........................


In Washington on Wednesday, Secretary of State John Kerry addressed the issue of radicalized rebels in an exchange with Representative Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican. Mr. Kerry insisted, “There is a real moderate opposition that exists.”

Mr. Kerry said that there were 70,000 to 100,000 “oppositionists.” Of these, he said, some 15 percent to 20 percent were “bad guys” or extremists.

Mr. McCaul responded by saying he had been told in briefings that half of the opposition fighters were extremists.

Much of the concern among American officials has focused on two groups that acknowledge ties to Al Qaeda. These groups — the Nusra Front and the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria — have attracted foreign jihadis, used terrorist tactics and vowed to create a society in Syria ruled by their severe interpretation of Islamic law.

............................SNIP"

[Bennyboy]

1. Syrian rebels execute Syrian Soldiers (Video)

An April 2012 video of Syrian rebels executing seven Syrian soldiers was recently released.

The soldiers were stripped and forced to lay on the ground while rebel leader Abdul Samad Issa recited a statement, which included: "For fifty years, they are companions to corruption. We swear to the Lord of the Throne, that this is our oath. We will take revenge."

Shortly afterwards, the video goes black, but gun shots are heard as the rebels execute the soldiers.

MORE WITH VIDEO: http://www.opposingviews.com/i/politics/foreign-policy/war-terror/syrian-rebels-execute-syrian-soldiers-video#

[HooptieWagon]

2. Another of Kerry's "moderate" rebels...

Uhhh....don't click on the link if you have a weak stomach.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/15/world/meast/syria-eaten-heart