Al-Nusra Front
| Al-Nusra Front to Protect the Levant | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Abu Muhammad al-Julani |
| Dates of operation | December 2011 – present |
| Active regions | Syria |
| Ideology | Salafist Jihadism |
| Status | Jihad against Syrian governement |
Al-Nusra Front to Protect the Levant (Arabic: جبهة النصرة لأهل الشام jabhat al-nusra li-ahl al-sham, translation: Front to Protect the Levantine People) is a jihadist group formed late in 2011 during the Syrian Uprising. The group released their first public statement on 23 January 2012 in which they called for armed struggle against the Syrian government. The group claims responsibility for the 2012 Aleppo bombings, the January 2012 al-Midan bombing, and the March 2012 Damascus bombings.[1]
History
The origins of the Al-Nusra Front remain unknown, [citation needed]but the organization appears to have originated in Homs.[citation needed] US intelligence agencies had originally suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq for the bombings in Aleppo and Damascus.[2] Iraq's deputy interior minister said early February that weapons and jihadists were entering Syria from its country.[3] The Front claimed credit for suicide attacks in the Syrian capital of Damascus as well as in Aleppo. The Front is one of two Islamist jihadist groups based in Homs battling the Assad government.
al-Midan Bombing
The al-Midan bombings of January 2012 were allegedly carried out by a fighter named Abu al-Baraa al-Shami. Footage of the destruction caused by the blast was released on a jihadist forum. [2] The video released by Al-Nusrah asserts that the "martyrdom-seeking operation" was executed "in revenge for our mother Umm Abdullah - from the city of Homs- against whom the criminals of the regime violated her dignity and threatened to slaughter her son," SITE reported. The video shows "an excerpt of allegiances, operations, and training of the al-Nusra Front" as well as a fighter "amongst the masses in a public demonstration, advising them to do their prayers and adhere to the rituals of Islam."
10 May 2012 Bombing
Al-Nusra allegedly claimed responsibility in a video for the May 2012 bombing in Damascus, in which an estimated 55 people were killed. [4]
However, Al Nusra denied responsibility for the attack, and said the video was fake. Al Nusra said they would never make a video and instead release information through Jihadi forums. Al Nusra denied responsibility for the 10 May bombing.[5]
Formation of the Levant Brigades
The Al Nusrah Front announced the formation of the "Free Ones of the Levant Brigades" in a YouTube video statement that was released on January 23. In the statement, the group claimed an attack on security headquarters in Idlib.
"To all the free people of Syria, we announce the formation of the Free Ones of the Levant Brigades," the statement said, according to a translation obtained by The Long War Journal. "We promise Allah, and then we promise you, that we will be a firm shield and a striking hand to repel the attacks of this criminal Al Asad army with all the might we can muster. We promise to protect the lives of civilians and their possessions from security and the shabihah [pro-government] militia. We are a people who will either gain victory or die." [6]
Ideology
The Al-Nusra Front aims to lead an holy war against the Syrian government of Bashar Assad, which they hold responsible for crimes against rebels in Homs. The organization encourages all Syrians to take part in the war against the government.[2]
References
- ^ "Islamist group claims Syria bombs 'to avenge Sunnis'". Al Arabiya. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
- ^ a b c "Unknown Islamist group claims suicide attacks in Syria". English.alarabiya.net. 2012-02-29. Retrieved 2012-03-25.
- ^ "AFP: Jihadists, weapons 'moving from Iraq to Syria'". Google.com. 2012-02-11. Retrieved 2012-03-25.
- ^ "Profile: Syria's Al-Nusra Front". BBC News. 2012-05-12. Retrieved 2012-05-14.
- ^ http://dawn.com/2012/05/15/jihadist-group-denies-claiming-damascus-bombings/
- ^ By Bill RoggioFebruary 26, 2012 (2012-02-26). "Al Nusrah Front claims suicide attack in Syria". The Long War Journal. Retrieved 2012-03-25.
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