Negotiating Nusra’s Split From Al-Qaeda
Asharq Al-Awsat
March 6, 2015
Syrian militant group considers cutting ties with Al-Qaeda to secure support from regional powers
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Syrian militant group considers cutting ties with Al-Qaeda to secure support from regional powers
ISIS confiscates the homes of former Baathists and defectors from the Syrian regime
There is now an absence of an effective Arab axis, capable of countering Iranian ambitions that exploit sectarian divides, along with the Israeli ambition to fragment and burn the region
Operation comes after Nusra and other factions took control of large areas in provinces connecting Damascus, Jordan, and the Golan Heights
Rebels call for general mobilization to confront pro-Assad offensive on Daraa
The US administration can – if it wanted – work to remove the factors responsible for the creation of ISIS in order to prevent the strengthening of it and similar organizations
Khaled Yacoub Oweis, a visiting fellow at SWP, the German international affairs think tank, argues that the objective of international envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura should be the protection of civilians and not the creation of freeze zones, which, short of a balance of interests on the ground, will become killing fields
“We are facing an occupation that does not only target our land, but also countries located beyond our territory. Our defeat here today will be theirs tomorrow”
The Southern Front foils pro-regime attack, recapturing four hills north of Daraa
President of Syrian Coalition Khaled Khoja interviewed on UN Envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura’s “action plan” to freeze fighting in Aleppo
Rebel sources claim pro-regime forces face biggest loss of life since the start of the Syrian revolution
Syria’s Muslim Brotherhood leader warns of ISIS, Iran, calls for alliance with Gulf states
Following successive defeats, Iran’s Qassem Soleimani set to command regime force into battle in southern Syria
Establishment of Shiite schools managed with help from Hezbollah militias and Iranian religious figures, activist says
The clinching argument for the cynical pirouette is that a deal with Russia might give some of Assad’s opponents a share of power in Damascus
What is needed now in Syria is a semi-miracle to end corruption and fragmentation, whilst pushing for an internationally-backed political solution
Refusal comes after content within the draft is said to contradict earlier plans suggested by the UN envoy
Israel’s Channel 10 has quoted an Israeli source admitting Israel’s responsibility for the January 18 attack on a Hezbollah convoy in Quneitra in Syria’s Golan
Hezbollah hits Israeli military convoy in Shebaa Farms, inflicting losses in personnel and equipment
Regime brigade defeated by Free Syrian Army, Nusra front seizes 120 anti-aircraft missiles
