Nusra Front

Jihadis Block Syria Quake Aid to Deny Assad a Publicity Win

The United Nations said on Sunday that disaster relief for quake-ravaged towns in Syria is being held up by a “hardline group” that refuses to allow aid convoys from government-controlled areas to enter its turf. The group in question soon revealed itself to be Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the rebranded Nusra Front, which was itself an offshoot of al-Qaeda.

United Nations sends 14 trucks full of aid within cross-border humanitarian aid to Syria a

Assad Begins Final Assault to Regain Complete Control of Damascus

Building on his recapture of the Eastern Ghouta suburb after a long and bloody siege that ended with an alleged chemical weapons attack, Syrian dictator Bashar Assad on Tuesday began the final battle for control of Damascus with artillery strikes on the last rebel positions near the city.

The Associated Press

Syria Ceasefire Holding Despite ‘Minor Violations,’ Including 20 Air Raids

The headlines on Day One of the latest Syrian ceasefire, this time brokered by Russia, Turkey, and Iran without U.S. or U.N. involvement, is that it’s holding together despite “minor violations” — such as 20 air raids by the Syrian government against rebel positions near Idlib and ground action supported by attack helicopters in the suburbs of Damascus.

Syrians regime forces walk past destroyed buildings in the former rebel-held Ansari distri

Syrian Rebels Battle Each Other North of Aleppo

Syrian insurgents clashed in a town near the Turkish border on Monday as inter-rebel tensions spilled over, playing to President Bashar al-Assad’s advantage with the government tightening its grip on rebel-held eastern Aleppo.

This frame grab from video provided by Thiqa news agency, a Syrian opposition media outlet

Syrian Al-Qaeda Franchise to Western Muslims: We’re Hiring

“Al Qaeda-affiliated jihadis in Syria have issued a new call for Muslims in the West to leave their homes and vocations and migrate to where their services can benefit the jihad,” reports Foreign Desk News, describing the article in an English-language magazine as a “jobs fair” for jihadis.

al-qaeda

Syria’s Nusra Front Breaks from Al-Qaeda

The Nusra Front, formally known as Jabhat al-Nusra, has been al-Qaeda’s franchise in Syria since late 2011. The Syrian group’s leader has announced it will now cut its ties with al-Qaeda and become independent, with al-Qaeda’s blessing.

Abu-Mohammed-al-Julani-Nusra-Front-afp