Syrian Civil War 'Breeding Ground' for Islamists

As Western fighters–both American and British–join the ranks against Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian civil war, the growing emphasis on Sharia law and Islamism stands to turn opposition forces into “a new breed of terrorists.”

According to The Telegraph, the ideology espoused by groups fighting against Assad–groups like the al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria–shows that the ultimate aim of many of the rebel fighters is to “turn Syria into an Islamist republic ruled on the basis of sharia.”

In towns like Raqqa where Islamists hold sway, the implementation of Islamism is already evident. There, “inhabitants claim they have suffered severe beatings for committing minor transgressions,” women are “banned from visiting male doctors,” and “captured pro-Assad fighters” are “regularly beheaded in public.”  

On December 1st, Breitbart News reported that American fighters in the anti-Assad forces could pose a security risk for the United States upon their return. With the growing Islamist domination of the anti-Assad forces, Britain is now worried about how returning fighters might harm their security as well. 

Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins.