Syrian Islamist rebels reject West-backed opposition coalition, declare Aleppo ‘Islamic state’

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**Frazzled**

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/syrian-islamist-rebels-reject-west-backed-opposition-coalition-declare-aleppo-islamic-state/2012/11/19/b3239652-3239-11e2-92f0-496af208bf23_story.html

Syrian Islamist rebels reject West-backed opposition coalition, declare Aleppo ‘Islamic state’
Text Size PrintE-mailReprintsBy Associated Press, Nov 19, 2012 01:17 PM EST

AP Updated: Monday, November 19, 7:17 AM
BEIRUT — A group of extremist Islamist factions in Syria has rejected the country’s new opposition coalition, saying in a video statement they have formed an “Islamic state” in the embattled city of Aleppo to underline that they want nothing to do with the Western-backed bloc.

The video appears to be a reaction to the Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces, formed Nov. 11 in Qatar to unify groups trying to topple the regime of President Bashar Assad. The coalition is led by a popular Muslim cleric and is seen as a way to counter the growing influence of Islamic extremists in the 20-month old rebellion that has claimed more than 36,000 lives.

.The statement by 13 radical factions that was posted on a militant website late Sunday suggested the extremist elements — including the al-Qaida-inspired Jabhat al-Nusra — are suspicious of the new coalition. They rejected what they said was a “foreign project” and declared the northern city of Aleppo, where many radical groups have been fighting, an “Islamic state.”

“We are the representatives of the fighting formations in Aleppo and we declare our rejection of the conspiratorial project, the so-called national alliance,” the statement said. “We have unanimously agreed to urgently establish an Islamic state and to reject any foreign project.” The authenticity of the video could not be independently confirmed, but it was released on a website that carries al-Qaida and other militant statements.

The Syrian uprising started as peaceful protests in March 2011. It quickly morphed into a war that has deepened sectarian divisions in the country. Many of those trying to depose Assad are Sunni Muslims, while the regime is dominated by Alawites, followers of a Shiite offshoot sect.

Syria’s political opposition has struggled to prove its relevance amid the civil war under a leadership largely made up of academics and exiled politicians. With its relaunch as a new organization earlier this month, it has taken a different tack by choosing Mouaz al-Khatib as its head. The 52-year-old cleric-turned-activist is respected by groups from across the political spectrum and has preached sectarian unity.

In Cairo, al-Khatib told reporters the Council will consider the concerns of Syrian factions who have not joined the new umbrella group.

“We will listen to our brothers who have not joined this alliance,” al-Khatib said after a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr. “We will keep in contact with them for more cooperation in the interest of the Syrian people,” al-Khatib said.

Many Syrians, particularly those in the capital Damascus where fighting and demonstrations have been relatively light, fear the Islamic extremists. Jabhat al-Nusra has claimed responsibility for a number of devastating bombings in the capital and other cities, targeting state security institutions and military intelligence branches there.

Also on Monday, a Kurdish group has clashed with rebel units in the city of Ras al-Ayn, a Turkish official said. The rare infighting among rebel units comes just days after opposition fighters ousted Assad’s troops from the strategic city in northeastern al-Hasaka province along the border with Turkey.

At least seven Syrians were injured in the clashes and were brought across the border into the Turkish town of Ceylanpinar, according to an official in the Ceylanpinar mayor’s office. The official said one of the injured men later died.

The official said the clashes erupted after a group of Kurds marched through Ras al-Ayn trying to hoist a flag of a Syrian Kurdish party.

He spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government rules that bar civil servants from speaking to reporters without prior authorization.

An Associated Press video journalist in Ceylanpinar heard gunfire and occasional shelling coming from the oil-rich city that at is predominantly Kurdish.

Tehran started building a $10 billion natural gas pipeline to Syria as part of efforts to boost Iran’s energy sector that has been battered by international sanctions.

Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency said the 1,500-kilometer (900-mile) pipeline will pass through Iraq before reaching Syria.

Iran began construction of the first phase of the project involving a 225-kilometer (140-mile) stretch at an estimated cost of $3 billion. The Fars report Monday said the entire project is to be completed in the second half of 2013. The deal was signed between Iran, Iraq and Syria last July.

Along with Russia and China, Iran has been an ally of Damascus during the conflict.

____

Associated Press writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey and Maamoun Youssef in Cairo contributed to this report.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

**Huffy**

Welcome to the next Afghanistan!...nice long drawn out conflict for the next while.

**AustonT**

Huffy wrote:
Welcome to the next Afghanistan!...nice long drawn out conflict for the next while.

Not for us.

**Huffy**

AustonT wrote:
Huffy wrote:
Welcome to the next Afghanistan!...nice long drawn out conflict for the next while.

Not for us.

We can only hope that our glorious leaders in D.C. decide that Syria and Iran dont need American assistance in democracy

**AustonT**

I dont think the Obama administration is eager to embroil us in another war. Wisely they have avoided Syria so far, I think in the fullness of time that will prove sage.

**Huffy**

AustonT wrote:
I dont think the Obama administration is eager to embroil us in another war. Wisely they have avoided Syria so far, I think in the fullness of time that will prove sage.

I actually believe that too, Iraq is too fresh on the public's mind for us to get involved.

**Mr. Burning**

Hooray! the expected has happened!

We must now lend our support to this new state if the democratic alliance decides to intervene.

**Squigsquasher**

Meh. It's their country. If they want an Islamic state then that is their right and we have no rightto tell them otherwise.

**Frazzled**

Agreed. I also agree that we have no obligation whatsoever to any party involved.

**d-usa**

I dare say that if the US Civil War ever breaks out, the Tea Party forces will be quick to claim cities and territories and declare them "Christian Cities with Christian laws!"

**Frazzled**

d-usa wrote:
I dare say that if the US Civil War ever breaks out, the Tea Party forces will be quick to claim cities and territories and declare them "Christian Cities with Christian laws!"

Only in OKlahoma, because OKlahoma is flat.

**d-usa**

Frazzled wrote:
d-usa wrote:
I dare say that if the US Civil War ever breaks out, the Tea Party forces will be quick to claim cities and territories and declare them "Christian Cities with Christian laws!"

Only in OKlahoma, because OKlahoma is flat.

Oklahoma isn't flat, we have slight inclines and ridges where creeks flow.

Kansas is flat.

**Experiment 626**

Squigsquasher wrote:
Meh. It's their country. If they want an Islamic state then that is their right and we have no rightto tell them otherwise.

Except to the point that they start trying to actively explode small chuncks of our own various countries...

Not to mention that I don't think many women would ever want to be involved in an Islamic state, considering how Sharia Law pretty much treats them like sacks of baby-pooping meat that's open for any kind of abuse men can think of... (for example, you get gang-raped. Well, it's actually your fault for leading men on so now your family can either sell you, the peretrator's family can offer you one of their daughters in compensation, or more likely, you get stoned to death for being overtly seductive and a bad influance on men! WTF?!!

)

Or the fact that the main goal of an Islamic state is to spread & convert the rest of the world to their are

ed version of "True Islam", (which it really isn't) oppress the weak, slaughter every Westerner who stands upto them, destroy every non-Islamic church or religious icon and basically rule the world!

Nothing wrong at all with letting yet another

-up donkeycave barbarian culture spring up.

**whembly**

d-usa wrote:
Frazzled wrote:
d-usa wrote:
I dare say that if the US Civil War ever breaks out, the Tea Party forces will be quick to claim cities and territories and declare them "Christian Cities with Christian laws!"

Only in OKlahoma, because OKlahoma is flat.

Oklahoma isn't flat, we have slight inclines and ridges where creeks flow.

Kansas is flat.

that's true!

Also... Oklahoma is windy as feth.

**Manchu**

Please reign in the ranting concerning Islam and any other religion. Thanks.

**Wyrmalla**

Experiment 626 wrote:
Squigsquasher wrote:
Meh. It's their country. If they want an Islamic state then that is their right and we have no rightto tell them otherwise.

Except to the point that they start trying to actively explode small chuncks of our own various countries...

Not to mention that I don't think many women would ever want to be involved in an Islamic state, considering how Sharia Law pretty much treats them like sacks of baby-pooping meat that's open for any kind of abuse men can think of... (for example, you get gang-raped. Well, it's actually your fault for leading men on so now your family can either sell you, the peretrator's family can offer you one of their daughters in compensation, or more likely, you get stoned to death for being overtly seductive and a bad influance on men! WTF?!! )

Or the fact that the main goal of an Islamic state is to spread & convert the rest of the world to their are ed version of "True Islam", (which it really isn't) oppress the weak, slaughter every Westerner who stands upto them, destroy every non-Islamic church or religious icon and basically rule the world!

Nothing wrong at all with letting yet another -up donkeycave barbarian culture spring up.

Dear I think you may being a tad racist here. I think Islam's been around for longer than the Christian states have and gotten along fine. Assuming that every state under it is full of extremists is plain pigheadedness, and one of the things that fuels the damn extremism. Covering the whole of the Eastern world with this blanket view is one of the reasons why its starting to conform with this idea. Like Omar Sarif said, the middle eastern world isn't the same as the western one, people's mindsets are different. Go into their countries and start telling them that your way is right and the way they've lived for centuries is incorrect and see what happens. I'm sure you'd be peeved off if one day a middle eastern super power arrived on your door step and told you that your faith was war mongering (ref the crusades/current wars) and that you should adopt their way of life. ¬¬

**Seaward**

Wyrmalla wrote:
I'm sure you'd be peeved off if one day a middle eastern super power arrived on your door step and told you that your faith was war mongering (ref the crusades/current wars) and that you should adopt their way of life. ¬¬

Well, if they were a superpower, I might reasonably conclude that they knew what the hell they were talking about when it comes to establishing a nation for the long haul.

**Da Boss**

Or that through a series of historical coincidences, they had been in a better position to exploit resources and undergo cultural development than others.

Guns, Germs and Steel is a bloody good book.

**KalashnikovMarine**

Things to do:

Not get involved in Syria.

end list.

I concur with Boss, Guns, Germs and Steel is excellent.

**Seaward**

By and large I don't find environmental determinism all that credible. It ignores...a hell of a lot, let's say.

But hey, if your conclusion is that every superpower the world has ever known just won the lottery, fair enough.

**Lone Cat**

So when did Islamists denounce Al Assard clan? whom whose the Islamists were once viewed as 'leader/ally/benefactor'

or did the Islamists want to take a share in revolutionary role with preexisting armed rebel groups?

**Bromsy**

Wyrmalla wrote:

Dear I think you may being a tad racist here. I think Islam's been around for longer than the Christian states have and gotten along fine. Assuming that every state under it is full of extremists is plain pigheadedness, and one of the things that fuels the damn extremism. Covering the whole of the Eastern world with this blanket view is one of the reasons why its starting to conform with this idea. Like Omar Sarif said, the middle eastern world isn't the same as the western one, people's mindsets are different. Go into their countries and start telling them that your way is right and the way they've lived for centuries is incorrect and see what happens. I'm sure you'd be peeved off if one day a middle eastern super power arrived on your door step and told you that your faith was war mongering (ref the crusades/current wars) and that you should adopt their way of life. ¬¬

I wouldn't describe much of the middle east as fine. I would also argue that leaving a deeply misogynistic culture (just one issue I have with them, but blatant) free reign to turn their women into second class citizens out of fear is a morally bankrupt position.

**sebster**

Squigsquasher wrote:
Meh. It's their country. If they want an Islamic state then that is their right and we have no rightto tell them otherwise.

Who's they? You telling me that if these armed Islamic nutters manage to play their cards better than the coalition rebel forces and loyalists, then that means they represent the true will of the people?

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Seaward wrote:
By and large I don't find environmental determinism all that credible. It ignores...a hell of a lot, let's say.

But hey, if your conclusion is that every superpower the world has ever known just won the lottery, fair enough.

And if your conclusion is that being a super power makes your way of life superior, then I'd say you aren't just ignoring a hell of a lot, but are pretty much pants on your head crazy.

I mean, for 50 years there the USSR was a superpower, and throughout that whole time New Zealand was so meaningless I'm pretty sure most people forgot it existed. And yet, do you think the people of the USSR or New Zealand experienced better lives?

**Ratbarf**

USSR obviously, I mean when the question is between Russian women and sheep I think Russian women win every time.

Who's they? You telling me that if these armed Islamic nutters manage to play their cards better than the coalition rebel forces and loyalists, then that means they represent the true will of the people?

As for will of the people, take a look what happened during the Egyptian elections and I think you end up with decent example of what your typical Middle Eastern country wants.

**nels1031**

Wyrmalla wrote:

Dear I think you may being a tad racist here. I think Islam's been around for longer than the Christian states have and gotten along fine.

Define "fine" and how far back in history you want to go. Most of Islams Arab population is built on Christian states.

Wyrmalla wrote:
Assuming that every state under it is full of extremists is plain pigheadedness, and one of the things that fuels the damn extremism. Covering the whole of the Eastern world with this blanket view is one of the reasons why its starting to conform with this idea.

Or it might be Saudi petro dollars funding Wahabbi ideology. An ideology that formed on its own in an obscure portion of Saudi Arabia and violently imposed itself on surrounding areas ( with help of foreign and domestic allies)The discovery of oil allowed it to expand and flourish to what it is today. Google "saudi arabian textbooks" and tell me its the western view of the middle east thats fueling hate/extremism. The "pigheaded" viewpoint wasn't formed in a vacuum.

Sure imperialism and flawed foreign policy play their part, but extremism doesn't always need an outside catalyst.

By your logic if someone calls me an extremist, I'm compelled to be an extremist?

Wyrmalla wrote:
Like Omar Sarif said, the middle eastern world isn't the same as the western one, people's mindsets are different. Go into their countries and start telling them that your way is right and the way they've lived for centuries is incorrect and see what happens. I'm sure you'd be peeved off if one day a middle eastern super power arrived on your door step and told you that your faith was war mongering (ref the crusades/current wars) and that you should adopt their way of life. ¬¬

In the context of history, Islam has had many expansionist and aggressive empires that could fit the mold of the modern definition of super power. They behaved the same way, if not worse then, any Christian modern state or historical empire. Sure that doesn't excuse the behavior, but it does show that they've done the exact same thing as you describe in the fullness of history, which shouldn't be ignored.

**Seaward**

sebster wrote:
And if your conclusion is that being a super power makes your way of life superior, then I'd say you aren't just ignoring a hell of a lot, but are pretty much pants on your head crazy.

Ah, the ol' reading comprehension problem again.

Shine on, you crazy diamond.

**LordofHats**

Seaward wrote:
Shine on, you crazy diamond.

I'm really hoping this is a reference to what I think it is. If it is it's hilarious

**nomsheep**

LordofHats wrote:
Seaward wrote:
Shine on, you crazy diamond.

I'm really hoping this is a reference to what I think it is. If it is it's hilarious

Go on?

**LordofHats**

I'm assuming its a reference to Jared Diamond, and if it is he gets +10 Hat Points (only redeemable at the Hat Store).

**nomsheep**

LordofHats wrote:
I'm assuming its a reference to Jared Diamond, and if it is he gets +10 Hat Points (only redeemable at the Hat Store).

How does one earn hat points? for I require a new hat.

Ot: We all knew this was gonna happen.