Bodyguard of Syrian rebel who defected to Isil reveals secrets of the jihadist leadership
▻http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/11221995/Bodyguard-of-Syrian-rebel-who-defected-to-Isil-reveals-secrets-of-the-j
But much of the fighting is led by warriors from a variety of backgrounds, including Saddam Hussein’s dismantled army. Some have an even shadier past.
Saddam Jamal was originally a drug dealer, Abu Abdullah, told The Telegraph. Then, when the war began, he made money from its financiers, eventually becoming a top commander in the Western-backed Free Syrian Army.
After his defection to Isil, Abu Abdullah said, he followed the example of other Isil “emirs” or leaders, who reigned over his territory with violence, extortion and hypocrisy.
“They kidnap and carry out assassinations,” he said. “They think nothing of bringing down a whole building with women and children inside, just to kill one person.
“A lot of their local and foreign fighters smoke but if they ever catch a civilian doing the same they lock him up, whip him and forced into community service. Why the double standards?”
The war in opposition-held Syria is characterised by shifting alliances, with rebels joining and defecting from Islamist and secular armed groups according to which has the better financial backing.
In this respect Isil was little different, Abu Abdullah said.