The Evil Alliance: ISIS reconciles with al-Qaida group as Syria air strikes continue - by Martin Chulov

The Evil Alliance: ISIS and al-Qaida

Air strikes continued to target Islamic State (Isis) positions near the Kurdish town of Kobani and hubs across north-east Syria on Sunday, as the terror group moved towards a new alliance with Syria’s largest al-Qaida group that could help offset the threat from the air.

Jabhat al-Nusra, which has been at odds with Isis for much of the past year, vowed retaliation for the US-led strikes, the first wave of which a week ago killed scores of its members. Many al-Nusra units in northern Syria appeared to have reconciled with the group, with which it had fought bitterly early this year.

A senior source confirmed that al-Nusra and Isis leaders were now holding war planning meetings. While no deal has yet been formalized, the addition of at least some al-Nusra numbers to Isis would strengthen the group’s ranks and extend its reach at a time when air strikes are crippling its funding sources and slowing its advances in both Syria and Iraq.

Al-Nusra, which has direct ties to al-Qaida’s leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, called the attacks a “war on Islam” in an audio statement posted over the weekend. A senior al-Nusra figure told the Guardian that 73 members had defected to Isis last Friday alone and that scores more were planning to do so in coming days.

“We are in a long war,” al-Nusra’s spokesman, Abu Firas al-Suri, said on social media platforms. “This war will not end in months nor years, this war could last for decades.”

Read more: Isis reconciles with al-Qaida group as Syria air strikes continue | World news | The Guardian

Religious Terrorism: Why a Christian al-Qaida doesn’t exist - by Michael Brown

There is no question that professing Christians have committed atrocities in the past, most notably during the Crusades and Inquisition, but in doing so, they fundamentally violated both the teaching and example of Jesus. In contrast, professing Muslims who are committing atrocities around the world can find ample justification for their behavior in both the teaching and example of Muhammad.
I don’t deny that pockets of fringe “Christian” groups can be found that espouse racism and violence, but they are not mainstream in any country today, nor do they have the support of any major religious bodies.

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2014/05/why-a-christian-al-qaida-doesnt-exist/#8K2XMMLyW6mzj6Rp.99

There is no question that professing Christians have committed atrocities in the past, most notably during the Crusades and Inquisition, but in doing so, they fundamentally violated both the teaching and example of Jesus. In contrast, professing Muslims who are committing atrocities around the world can find ample justification for their behavior in both the teaching and example of Muhammad.

I don’t deny that pockets of fringe “Christian” groups can be found that espouse racism and violence, but they are not mainstream in any country today, nor do they have the support of any major religious bodies.

In contrast, Islam has a plethora of such groups, from Hamas in Gaza to Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria, from the Taliban in Pakistan and Afghanistan to al-Qaida worldwide, and from the ruling Muslim majorities in Iran and Sudan to the followers of fundamentalist Muslim preachers in American and the U.K.

And in the most conservative Islamic countries, a deadly riot could be set off by the mere accusation that Muhammad had been blasphemed or the Quran defaced. There are no parallels to this in any Christian-based country in the world.

In contrast, Islam has a plethora of such groups, from Hamas in Gaza to Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria, from the Taliban in Pakistan and Afghanistan to al-Qaida worldwide, and from the ruling Muslim majorities in Iran and Sudan to the followers of fundamentalist Muslim preachers in American and the U.K.
And in the most conservative Islamic countries, a deadly riot could be set off by the mere accusation that Muhammad had been blasphemed or the Quran defaced. There are no parallels to this in any Christian-based country in the world.

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2014/05/why-a-christian-al-qaida-doesnt-exist/#8K2XMMLyW6mzj6Rp.99

There is no question that professing Christians have committed atrocities in the past, most notably during the Crusades and Inquisition, but in doing so, they fundamentally violated both the teaching and example of Jesus. In contrast, professing Muslims who are committing atrocities around the world can find ample justification for their behavior in both the teaching and example of Muhammad.
I don’t deny that pockets of fringe “Christian” groups can be found that espouse racism and violence, but they are not mainstream in any country today, nor do they have the support of any major religious bodies.

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2014/05/why-a-christian-al-qaida-doesnt-exist/#8K2XMMLyW6mzj6Rp.99

Read more: Why a Christian al-Qaida doesn’t exist

Syrian minister says UK and France are 'directly or indirectly' backing al-Qaida - by Ian Black

Britain and France are "directly or indirectly" supporting al-Qaida in an escalating war against Syria, according to a senior minister in Damascus, who also warned neighbouring Jordan it was playing "a dangerous game" by allowing arms supplies to go to rebel groups from its territory.

Faisal al-Miqdad, Syria's vice-foreign minister, used a rare interview to attack the UK and France as "new colonialists" for providing political and military support to opposition fighters seeking to overthrow the president, Bashar al-Assad.

Damascus insists these fighters are terrorists with a jihadi agenda. Miqdad also lashed out at Turkey and "stupid Arabs" – singling out Saudi Arabia and Qatar – for acting "in western interests" and accused Israel of meddling in the conflict. He claimed "Mossad agents" had been killed in Deraa near the Jordanian border, where the rebels have made advances in recent weeks.

"There is a big conspiracy against Syria to force it to change its policies towards the Arab-Israeli conflict, to change its stance on Arab issues, and to have a government that will serve the interests of the US, UK and France," he told the Guardian on Monday to the sound of Syrian artillery pounding rebel positions around the capital.

Read more: Syrian minister says UK and France are 'directly or indirectly' backing al-Qaida | World news | guardian.co.uk

Netherlands: Judge blocks extradition of terror suspect to US -

 A Dutch judge has blocked the extradition of a terror suspect to the United States until American authorities guarantee he will receive the same treatment there for post-traumatic stress disorder as he is getting in a Dutch jail.

The decision Friday again delays the extradition of the suspect identified only as Sabir K., who is suspected of plotting a suicide attack on a U.S. military base in Afghanistan, where he allegedly fought with al-Qaida.

U.S. prosecutors first sought his extradition in June 2011 and a Dutch court approved it a few months later, but the 26-year-old K, who has joint Dutch and Pakistani nationality, has been fighting the extradition ever since.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/04/05/3324775/judge-blocks-extradition-of-terror.html#storylink=cpy

Read more THE HAGUE, Netherlands: Judge blocks extradition of terror suspect to US - World Wires - MiamiHerald.com

Algeria hostage crisis may be the undoing of jihadi cause in north Africa - by Peter Beaumont

How do you judge the success of a terrorist spectacular? A decade ago, it would have been enough for an organization like al-Qaida to simply carry out an attack like 9/11.

Such an attack would have established not only that they exist, and that they are potent and dangerous, but to present their calling card to would-be recruits.

So how should one regard the attack on the In Amenas gas plant in Algeria – as a success, or as an overwhelming failure?

In the final analysis it seems likely that In Amenas will make it more difficult for jihadi groups in the region to operate rather than easier.

Read more: Algeria hostage crisis may be the undoing of jihadi cause in north Africa| Peter Beaumont | World news | guardian.co.uk

Middle East:Syria accuses Turkey of allowing al-Qaida transit - by Albert Aji

Syria accused neighboring Turkey Sunday of allowing thousands of Muslim extremists to cross into its territory, as the government and opposition said an explosion killed at least seven and cut off a main road leading south from the capital.

In letters to the U.N. Security Council and Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, Syria's Foreign Ministry said Turkey allowed "thousands of al-Qaida, Takfiri and Wahhabi terrorists" access to the country in order to "kill innocent Syrians, blow up their properties and spread chaos and destruction."

Syrian authorities blame the anti-government uprising that began in March last year on a foreign conspiracy and accuse Gulf countries Saudi Arabia and Qatar, along with the U.S, other Western countries and Turkey, of offering funding and training to the rebels, whom they describe as "terrorists."

Read more: THE DAILY STAR :: News :: Middle East :: Syria accuses Turkey of allowing al-Qaida transit

From the frying pan into the fire: Al-Qaida chief urges Islamic rule in Libya

Al-Qaida's new leader is calling on Libyan fighters who overthrew Moammar Gadhafi to set up an Islamic state and urges Algerians to revolt against their longtime leader in remarks in a new Internet video.

Ayman al-Zawahri warns Libyan revolutionaries to protect their gains against "Western plots," claiming NATO will demand that Libyans give up their Islamic faith.

Al-Zawahri also urges Algerians to "revolt against the tyranny" of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and follow the examples of Arab uprisings.

For more: Al-Qaida chief urges Islamic rule in Libya

Osama bin Laden killed by US Seals in Pakistan - President Obama delivers on campaign promise

'Justice has been done,' Barack Obama told the world after al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden was killed by special US Seal forces at his Abbottabad compound in Pakistan.

President Barack Obama's statement was one that America and many countries the world over had been waiting a decade to hear.

US special Seal forces launched a helicopter-borne assault on a closely guarded compound in Abbottabad, 30 miles north-east of Islamabad, on Sunday night, US officials said.

Bin Laden resisted the attackers and was killed along with three other men in a firefight. The operation lasted 40 minutes and no Americans were killed. The dead included Bin Laden's most trusted courier, who carried his messages to the outside world, and one of Bin Laden's sons, according to reports. US forces "took custody" of Bin Laden's body, Obama said. The US stressed Islamic practices would be respected.

With Osama bin Laden dead, US President Obama achieved a great personal success. Already early on during the Presidential campaign he had said that the US military focus should not be on mainly on Iraq, but more so on Afghanistan and going after al-Qaida and their leader Osama bin Laden.

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