US citizen reportedly carries out suicide attack in Syria

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**Jihadin**

An American in Syria who was working with an Al Qaeda-backed militant group is believed to be the first United States citizen to be involved in a suicide attack in the country, reports say.

The New York Times reported Wednesday that jihadist social media sites said the man went by the name Abu Huraira al-Amriki (Abu Huraira the American), and the truck bombing, which USA Today said killed four people, occurred in the north region of the country.

"I know he was an American, had an American passport and that he was with the Nusra Front," an anti-government activist told the Times via Skype. The Nusra Front is also known as Jabhat al-Nusra, and is linked to Al Qaeda.

U.S. officials did not confirm the reported bomber’s identity. However, authorities told USA Today that preliminary reports that say Huraira carried out the May 25 attack are likely accurate but efforts are being made to locate his family to more conclusively determine his identification.

The attack, which included three truck bombs, was carried out in Idlib, Foreign Policy reported. Amriki was reportedly driving one of the trucks, which carried 16 tons of explosives.

The New York Times said the civil war playing out in the country has attracted Westerners to fight against Syrian President Bashar Assad. Officials told the paper more than 70 Americans have traveled to the country to fight.

Seth Jones, a terrorism expert at the RAND Corporation, told the Times that these Americans may be "honing their ability to conduct terrorist attacks" that could be used in the U.S.

LEO's better ramp up their training just in case

**Orlanth**

'American passport holder' is IMHO a better term. for this gakhead. At least you are rid of him.

Likewise i disdain calling jihadis with UK passports 'British citizens', its not like they want to share the UK with the rest of us.

**44Ronin**

Jihadin wrote:
An American in Syria who was working with an Al Qaeda-backed militant group is believed to be the first United States citizen to be involved in a suicide attack in the country, reports say.

The New York Times reported Wednesday that jihadist social media sites said the man went by the name Abu Huraira al-Amriki (Abu Huraira the American), and the truck bombing, which USA Today said killed four people, occurred in the north region of the country.

"I know he was an American, had an American passport and that he was with the Nusra Front," an anti-government activist told the Times via Skype. The Nusra Front is also known as Jabhat al-Nusra, and is linked to Al Qaeda.

U.S. officials did not confirm the reported bomber’s identity. However, authorities told USA Today that preliminary reports that say Huraira carried out the May 25 attack are likely accurate but efforts are being made to locate his family to more conclusively determine his identification.

The attack, which included three truck bombs, was carried out in Idlib, Foreign Policy reported. Amriki was reportedly driving one of the trucks, which carried 16 tons of explosives.

The New York Times said the civil war playing out in the country has attracted Westerners to fight against Syrian President Bashar Assad. Officials told the paper more than 70 Americans have traveled to the country to fight.

Seth Jones, a terrorism expert at the RAND Corporation, told the Times that these Americans may be "honing their ability to conduct terrorist attacks" that could be used in the U.S.

LEO's better ramp up their training just in case

Considering the U.S is playing the conflict in proxy...

**Orlanth**

I cant see why, we should leave Assad well alone. Gaddafi had to go, from a western point of view. Assad doesn't effect us, and may be replaced by someone who will, especially with Al Quaeda being behind a lot of the rebel factions.

The best policy decision would be to wag fingers at Assad and quietly let Putin have his way in the country. We could occasionally raise motions against Syria in the UN knowing that Russia will veto them as a way of occupying the high moral ground in a public statement. Maybe this is what is happening, because it appears to be how its playing out..