August 25, 2014
An American journalist (click here) kidnapped nearly two years ago has been freed in Syria following Qatari mediation and handed over to UN peacekeepers in the Golan Heights.
Peter Theo Curtis was handed over to UN peacekeepers in the village of al-Rafid, Quneitra, on Sunday. He has since been turned over to representatives from the US government after undergoing medical check-up, the UN said.
Curtis' family thanked both the governments of the US and Qatar, as well as others who helped negotiate his release.
According to a statement from his family, Curtis was captured in October 2012 and was reportedly held by the al-Nusra Front or by splinter groups allied with the al-Qaeda-affiliated group....
There are many so called splinter groups of al Qaeda. There are many Elk Lodges in the USA, too. Poor analogy, I agree, but it makes a point. The different groups are based in territorial claims because they do not have the capacity of a national organization.
Al Nusra has proven to be less of an aggressive force so much as a support to other organizations. It doesn't have an agenda as ISIS/L or the Free Syrian Army. Al Nursa has primarily attempted to 'take care of' their people. They will act more in defense of their 'piece' of the land of Syria, but, tend not to kill others to expand their 'land claim.'
Al Nusra really is what occurred after the Assad regime collapsed regardless of a recent election. I have no doubt Assad is seeking to reconstitute his control in order to claim as a national leader, but, that has yet to occur.
There are actually 29 separate organizations within Syria governing their own piece of land. These organizations have mostly considered Assad the real terrorist, but, that was until ISIS/L has manifested as a source of genocidal ideologies.
If The West has to put a face to a movement it would most likely be Moaz al-Khatib, at least until that of ISIS/L. ISIS/L has not particular affiliation of a coalition. ISIS/L is sort of where all the young folks went. Ruthless, cruel and unaffiliated.
November 12, 2014
Luke Harding and Martin Chulov
The new leader (click here) of the Syrian anti-Assad coalition has a big job ahead of him. But his moderation lends him credibility
When the Syria donors' conference begins on Friday in London, all eyes will turn to Moaz al-Khatib, the new leader of Syria's opposition. A religious moderate, with impeccable revolutionary credentials, and a geologist as well, the west will be looking to see whether Khatib is a man they can do business with.
Khatib was elected on Sunday in Doha as the head of Syria's new opposition coalition, emerging from negotiations many had predicted were doomed to failure.
He now has the unenviable task of trying to unite the country's feuding anti-Assad opposition at a time when the west is reluctant to give military aid to the rebels, jihadi groups are increasingly prevalent, and the war on the ground is a bloody and murderous stalemate....
They really aren't al Qaeda affiliated. Not really. They are seeking to unseat Assad. Being an al Qaeda affiliate is a nice scary name, but, not much more.
