Sur la présence forte d’al-Nousra à Alep :
Nusra tightens grip in Syria’s Aleppo, despite civilian opposition
Al-Qaeda’s affiliate has a growing presence in city, with weekly parades by supporters and a grudging tolerance among other rebels
MEE / 08.04.16
▻http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/nusra-aleppo-ceasefire-1772863533
The black flags of the Nusra Front were held high as supporters paraded down the streets of the rebel-controlled eastern part of this city.
Traffic ground to a halt as crowds gathered to fire Kalashnikovs in the air and chant for al-Qaeda’s affiliate: “We are the soldiers of God... democracy is for infidels.”
Since the start of the year, such marches have become an almost weekly event in Aleppo, a city that has become a flashpoint of Syria’s war - attacked from the air by Russia, pressed on the ground by Syrian government forces.
An internationally agreed ceasefire between “moderate” rebels and Syrian government forces does not include Nusra, placing pressure on their fighters to withdraw from civilian areas as they face continued bombardment.
In neighbouring Idlib, the group’s stronghold, pro-democracy protesters clashed with Nusra supporters last month.
But in Aleppo, Nusra appears unmoved by counter-marches by moderates and an apparent growing opposition among residents to its presence.
The signs are that Nusra is in Aleppo, and it is staying in Aleppo.
Mustapha al-Maghrebi, who sells clothes in the east of the city, told Middle East Eye: “The protests target those who oppose them.
“They call for the establishment of a caliphate and sharia law instead of ’infidel’ rule,” he added - a reference to moderates currently running rebel-held areas.
“They have no other goal but to remind the public and the Free Syrian Army that Nusra is present, strong and not going anywhere.”
Arif al-Ahmed, an English teacher, added: “Of course. Who lives in Aleppo and hasn’t seen Nusra protests in the streets? They’re targeting areas without much religious education. God will punish them for this."
