#al-nusra_front

Open Border War in #Aleppo: #Syrian_army Retreats to #Bashkoy
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/23887

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The first offensive by the Syrian army and its allies failed to meet its objectives of completing the cordon of Aleppo and breaking the siege of #Nubol and #al-Zahraa. Nevertheless, the army was able to hold on to its gains in the town of Bashkoy, after withdrawing from the town of #Hardatnin. Pending other imminent rounds, the battles could still pan out in a number of different ways.

#Al-Nusra_Front #Articles #Jaysh_al-Muhajirin_wal_Ansar #Rayan #syria #turkey #Mideast_&_North_Africa

#lebanese_army Laying Siege to Fighters in the Eastern Hills Ahead of ‘Spring War’
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/23750

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Negotiations to release the Lebanese soldiers being held prisoner in the hills of #Ersal are ongoing and the issue is expected to see some progress. On the other hand, the army has laid siege to the fighters in the hills in preparation for a war that seems inevitable this spring in the hills of Ersal and #Qalamoun.

#Al-Nusra_Front #Articles #Bekaa_Valley #ISIS #Lebanon #Ras_Baalbeck

#Syrian_army Advances in the South as Aloush Renews Threats Against #Damascus
►http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/syrian-army-advances-south-aloush-renews-threats-against-damascus

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Syrian government forces walk in Deir al-Adas in the #Daraa province on February 11, 2015. AFP Syrian government forces walk in Deir al-Adas in the Daraa province on February 11, 2015. AFP

The steady advances by the Syrian army toward villages in #Southern_Syria allowed the return of Deir al-Adas, al-Danaji, Deir Maker, and the hills of Masih, Mer’i, al-Arous, and al-Sarjah to the control of the state. Meanwhile, Zahran Aloush has renewed his threats against the Syrian capital, Damascus.

Ahmad Hassan

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#Mideast_&_North_Africa #Al-Nusra_Front #Articles #Douma #Free_Syrian_Army #syria

#syria: An Israeli Hand into the Southern Front?
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/23507

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The latest battles on the southern front in Syria fall within the context of the escalation with #Israel in the occupied Syrian #Golan_Heights and southern Lebanon. Although coordination between Israel and armed opposition groups preceded the attack in #Quneitra, the surge in fighters along the #Daraa, Quneitra and Zabadani fronts suggests, according to some, a clear Israeli message — namely, that they are able to engage on more than one front.

#Al-Nusra_Front #Articles #Beirut-Damascus_road #FSA #ISIS #Kobane #Sweida #Syrian_army #Syrian_rebels #Mideast_&_North_Africa

Proud and Defiant Youth Partake in Mass Funeral for Slain #Hezbollah Fighter
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/23302

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Thousands of mourners — overwhelmingly youth — poured into the streets of the southern suburbs of Beirut, known as Dahiyeh, on Monday to bid farewell to their friend, classmate and fellow comrade #Jihad_Mughniyeh. Jihad is one of six Hezbollah fighters killed in an Israeli airstrike in #syria on Sunday, opening the door to a retaliation by the resistance party and serious repercussions for the whole region.

#Al-Nusra_Front #Articles #Golan_Heights #Imad_Mughniyeh #Israel #Lebanon #Quneitra

How Jordanians Came to Dominate #Al-Nusra_Front
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/23238

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Jordanians have played a central role in al-Nusra Front since its inception. After the “jihadist divorce” between al-Nusra and the Islamic State in Iraq and #syria (ISIS), Jordanian emigrants have enjoyed the lion’s share of power in the group’s chain of command.

#Abu_Bakr_al-Baghdadi #Abu_Mohammed_al-Joulani #al-Qaeda #Articles #ISIS #jihadists #Jordan #Mideast_&_North_Africa

Crisis of confidence surfaces between #Damascus and de Mistura
►http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/crisis-confidence-surfaces-between-damascus-and-de-mistura

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US Secretary of State John Kerry (L) meets on January 14, 2015 with #UN special envoy to #syria #Staffan_de_Mistura in Geneva ahead of the latter’s upcoming trip to Damascus. AFP/Rick Wilking US Secretary of State John Kerry (L) meets on January 14, 2015 with UN special envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura in Geneva ahead of the latter’s upcoming trip to Damascus. AFP/Rick Wilking

The #Aleppo plan has stalled, as has the work of the United Nations envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura. A crisis of confidence appeared quickly between Damascus and the Swedish diplomat. The Syrian capital is still in contact with de Mistura but it deals with him as the US-French envoy. read (...)

#Mideast_&_North_Africa #Al-Nusra_Front #al-Qaeda #Articles #Bashar_al-Assad #ISIS #Russia #turkey

#turkey’s #Arab_Alawis Show Support for #Lebanon’s #Jabal_Mohsen Victims
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/turkey%E2%80%99s-arab-alawis-show-support-lebanon%E2%80%99s-jabal

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The Abu Omran café in Jabal Mohsen in ruins following a double suicide bombing on January 11, 2014 in #Tripoli, Lebanon. Al-Akhbar/Marwan Tahtah The Abu Omran café in Jabal Mohsen in ruins following a double suicide bombing on January 11, 2014 in Tripoli, Lebanon. Al-Akhbar/Marwan Tahtah

Arab Alawis took to the streets of the Turkish capital of Ankara on Monday in #solidarity with the victims of Saturday’s double suicide bombing in the Lebanese city of Tripoli. “If you remain silent over the massacre you will become an accomplice,” read one of the banners the demonstrators raised as they gathered on one of the capital’s cold streets to condemn the twin suicide bombing that hit a popular cafe in Tripoli’s Jabal Mohsen (...)

#Al-Nusra_Front #ISIS #syria

Lebanese Security Forces Fear Return of #suicide_bombings
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/23181

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Security forces stand at the doorway of a cafe that was hit by two suicide bombers in the #Jabal_Mohsen neighborhood of #Tripoli, #Lebanon, Sunday January 11, 2015. Al-Akhbar/Marwan Tahtah Security forces stand at the doorway of a cafe that was hit by two suicide bombers in the Jabal Mohsen neighborhood of Tripoli, #Lebanon, Sunday January 11, 2015. Al-Akhbar/Marwan Tahtah

Up to 32 Lebanese youths are preparing to carry out suicide attacks inside Lebanon. The security services are tracking down around 200 suspects who might have links to #Al-Nusra_Front (ANF) and the “Islamic State” (IS), after the two groups decided to resume attacks in the country. Once again, Lebanon is vulnerable to devastating suicide attacks. (...)

#Articles #Islamic_State #syria

‘Islamic State’ versus al-Nusra: Will Baghdadi ask for al-Talli’s head?
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/23033

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The calm in the #Qalamoun front will not last very long. The truce between the “brothers in jihad” #IS reeling, after Baghdadi’s emissaries arrived to consolidate the ranks of the “Islamic State” soldiers on the border with #Lebanon. For the purpose, they have sought the help of veteran clerics and are paying new recruits monthly wages, with a view to bleed and poach fighters from #Al-Nusra_Front ahead of a possible major showdown.

#Abu_Malek_al-Talli #Articles #Hezbollah #ISIS #Lebanon #syria #Syrian_army

Jihadi groups in north #Lebanon admit to defeat in battle against the army
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/22237

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Jihadi groups have not learned their lesson from their experiences in north #Lebanon. They repeat the same mistakes and end up with the same outcome. What drives an armed group that adopts a certain cause, whether just or not, to wage a battle which it knows ahead of time is a losing battle?

#Ahmed_al-Asir #Al-Nusra_Front #Articles #Dinniyeh #Fatah_al-Islam #ISIS #Khaled_Hoblos #North_Lebanon #Tripoli

Jihadi groups in north #Lebanon admit to defeat in battle against the army
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/jihadi-groups-north-lebanon-admit-defeat-battle-against-army

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Lebanese soldiers are seen following the clashes between troops and masked gunmen as soldiers control the area in #Lebanon's northern city of #Tripoli on October 25, 2014. (Photo: Anadolu Agency) Lebanese soldiers are seen following the clashes between troops and masked gunmen as soldiers control the area in Lebanon’s northern city of Tripoli on October 25, 2014. (Photo: Anadolu Agency)

Jihadi groups have not learned their lesson from their experiences in #North_Lebanon. They repeat the same mistakes and end up with the same outcome. What drives an armed group that adopts a certain cause, whether just or not, to wage a battle which it knows ahead of time is a losing battle?

Radwan (...)

#Ahmed_al-Asir #Al-Nusra_Front #Articles #Dinniyeh #Fatah_al-Islam #ISIS #Khaled_Hoblos

Eight Lebanese soldiers killed in #Ersal clashes
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/eight-lebanese-soldiers-killed-ersal-clashes

Gunmen have killed eight Lebanese soldiers in clashes that erupted near the border with #syria after the army detained a suspected jihadist from the war-torn country, the military said Sunday. The clashes are some of the worst violence to hit the tense border area of Ersal since the beginning of the war in neighboring Syria in 2011, with gunmen attacking Lebanese soldiers and police. They broke out on Saturday afternoon, after the detention of a Syrian man who the army said admitted being a member of al-Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate, #Al-Nusra_Front. read more

#Lebanon

In #Homs’ northern countryside, civilians live under fire
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/homs%E2%80%99-northern-countryside-civilians-live-under-fire

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Women work in the fields of Homs’ countryside. (Photo: Archive) Women work in the fields of Homs’ countryside. (Photo: Archive)

There are no obstacles on the road leading to the village of Jabourin located on the demarcation line with #Om_Sharshouh, a village outside the control of the Syrian government, except for the rugged nature and sniper bullets. From Jabourin to Kfarnan, the last village held by the army in Homs’ countryside, civilians have to cope with living on the frontlines of a fierce battle, with the villages of Om Sharshouh, #Talbissah, #al-Ghanto, #Ezzeddin, #Rastan, and #al-Houla on the other side.

Marah Mashi

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#Mideast_&_North_Africa #Al-Nusra_Front #Articles #Homs_Old_City #syria #Talal_al-Barazi #Turkmen

Will the ’Emirate of the Levant’ be announced on Eid al-Fitr?
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/will-emirate-levant-be-announced-eid-al-fitr

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Fighters from the Islamist rebel group #Al-Nusra_Front allegedly dig a tunnel under a military site of the Syrian government forces in the northern Syrian city of #Aleppo on July 17, 2014. (Photo: AFP-Ahmed Deeb) Fighters from the Islamist rebel group al-Nusra Front allegedly dig a tunnel under a military site of the Syrian government forces in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo on July 17, 2014. (Photo: AFP-Ahmed Deeb)

Preparations are underway by al-Nusra Front on the ground and in terms of sharia (Islamic law) to announce the Emirate of al-Sham [Greater #syria], which a jihadi source expects would be on the first day of Eid al-Fitr [the holiday at the end of Ramadan]. The Nusra waged new battles in #Idlib's countryside, (...)

#Mideast_&_North_Africa #Abu_Mohammed_al-Joulani #al-Qaeda #Articles #Ayman_Zawahiri #Emirate_of_the_Levant #ISIS #Islamic_Front

#Ersal: Executions, assassinations and chaos
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/ersal-executions-assassinations-and-chaos

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An army patrol goes through the town of Ersal. (Photo: Rameh Hamieh) An army patrol goes through the town of Ersal. (Photo: Rameh Hamieh)

Ersal is living in a state of total lawlessness, complete with executions against both locals and refugees, armed robberies, and assassinations and retributions. Meanwhile, it appears that the government’s “cosmetic” security plan in place is insufficient to deter the militants from wreaking havoc in the town’s streets and alleyways.

Rameh Hamieh

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#Lebanon #Al-Nusra_Front #Aqabet_al-Qseira #Articles #Hezbollah #ISIS #lebanese_army #MARCH_14 #Mustafa_Izz_al-Din #PFLP-GC #Ras_Baalbek #syria #Umm_al-Jamaa #Wara_al-Saabeh

#Al-Nusra_Front not yet dead as its emir devises “Islamic Emirate of the Levant”
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/al-nusra-front-not-yet-dead-its-emir-devises-islamic-emirate-leva

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An al-Nusra Front fighter takes up his fighting position in Syria. (Photo:AFP) An al-Nusra Front fighter takes up his fighting position in Syria. (Photo:AFP)

It has been revealed that the emir of al-Nusra Front Abu Mohammed al-Joulani is leading efforts, with direct support from Saudi cleric Sheikh Abdullah Mohaisany, to reorganize and reinvigorate his group. Leaked audio recordings have unveiled a plan by al-Nusra to establish an Islamic Emirate of the Levant. The recording, which sheds light on dramatic new aspects of the “jihadi civil war,” has since been taken down.

Suhaib Anjarini

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#Lebanon #Abu_Bakr_al-Baghdadi #Abu_Mohammed_Joulani #Aleppo #Articles #Caliphate #ISIS

Lebanese jihadis pledging allegiance to the Islamic State
►http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanese-jihadis-pledging-allegiance-islamic-state

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A file image made available by the jihadist Twitter account al-Baraka news on June 9, 2014 allegedly shows Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants waving the trademark jihadi flag as vehicles drive on a newly cut road through the Syrian-Iraqi border between the Iraqi Nineveh province and the Syrian town of al-Hasakah. (Photo: AFP-al-Baraka News) A file image made available by the jihadist Twitter account al-Baraka news on June 9, 2014 allegedly shows Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants waving the trademark jihadi flag as vehicles drive on a newly cut road through the Syrian-Iraqi border between the Iraqi Nineveh province and the Syrian town of al-Hasakah. (Photo: AFP-al-Baraka News)

The (...)

#Lebanon #Abu_Bakr_al-Baghdadi #Abu_Mohammed_al-Joulani #Ain_al-Hilweh #Al-Nusra_Front #al-Qaeda #Articles #Ayman_al-Zawahiri #IS #ISIS

“Twitter Brigades’” threats fail to intimidate Christians in #Lebanon
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/twitter-brigades%E2%80%99%E2%80%9D-threats-fail-intimidate-christ

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Lebanese pray at St. Joseph church in Beirut’s southern suburbs. (Photo: Haitham Moussawi) Lebanese pray at St. Joseph church in Beirut’s southern suburbs. (Photo: Haitham Moussawi)

Cyberspace seems to be the only battlefield of jihad for the Ahrar al-Sunnah (Free Sunnis) in #Baalbek Brigades, especially on #Twitter. Threats of bombings, suicide attacks, assassinations, attacks on churches and Shia and so on, issued by the group, have been nothing but empty theatrics. Even #Al-Nusra_Front and the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have distanced themselves from the “suspicious” Twitter account.

Rameh Hamieh

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#Ahrar_al-Sunna_in_Baalbek_Brigades #Articles #Bakr_al-Rifai #Bekaa #Elias_Rahal #ISIS #Lebanon #Saifullah_Shiah

Raqqa province: Welcome to #ISIS’ capital
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/raqqa-province-welcome-isis%E2%80%99-capital

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An image made available by Jihadist media outlet Welayat Raqqa on June 30, 2014, allegedly shows a member of the IS (Islamic state) militant group parading in a street in the northern rebel-held Syrian city of Raqqa. (Photo: AFP-Welayat Raqqa) An image made available by Jihadist media outlet Welayat Raqqa on June 30, 2014, allegedly shows a member of the IS (Islamic state) militant group parading in a street in the northern rebel-held Syrian city of Raqqa. (Photo: AFP-Welayat Raqqa)

ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and #syria) increased its grip on “Wilayat #al-Raqqa”, the capital of the #Islamic_State. It is setting the foundation of its rule through courts, resolving disputes between civilians, and social committees serving (...)

#Mideast_&_North_Africa #Al-Nusra_Front #Articles #Free_Syrian_Army #FSA

#Lebanon heightens security measures as terrorist groups threaten more attacks
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanon-heightens-security-measures-terrorist-groups-threaten-mor

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An ISF officer stands outside the #ministry_of_interior in Beirut. (Photo: Marwan Tahtah) An ISF officer stands outside the Ministry of Interior in Beirut. (Photo: Marwan Tahtah)

As the #Abdullah_Azzam_Brigades has threatened to carry out more terrorist attacks, and with the ongoing targeting of the Lebanese army, investigations with members of terrorist cells who were apprehended over the past two weeks are bringing important revelations to light, most recently, the fact that the Interior Ministry tops the list of these cells’ targets. read (...)

#Al-Nusra_Front #Articles #Bekaa #Jean_Kahwaji #Lebanon #Nouhad_Machnouk #Roumieh_Prison #Samir_Mokbel #syria #Tripoli

What does #ISIS’ declaration of a caliphate mean?
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/what-does-isis%E2%80%99-declaration-caliphate-mean

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Two photos put out by Washington and Baghdad of ISIS leader #Abu_Bakr_al-Baghdadi. (Photo: AFP) Two photos put out by Washington and Baghdad of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. (Photo: AFP)

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has now officially become a global #Islamic_caliphate. It took 14 months for its leader, who is known as Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, to set himself up as a ruler “by order of God.” He is not only the “commander of the faithful” now, but also the caliph-at-large, and the “successor” of Prophet Mohammad. The historical declaration took place on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan of the year 1435 AH (2014 AD).

Radwan Mortada

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#Mideast_&_North_Africa #Abdullah_Azzam_Brigades #Al-Nusra_Front #al-Qaeda #Aleppo #Articles #Diyala #Lebanon #Sykes-Picot_Agreement

#Lebanon: Assir’s ghost hangs over the scene of the #Tayouneh bombing
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanon-assirs-ghost-hangs-over-scene-tayouneh-bombing

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Lebanese security forces cordon off the site of a car bomb at the army checkpoint in the Tayouneh area of Beirut. (Photo: Marwan Bou Haidar) Lebanese security forces cordon off the site of a car bomb at the army checkpoint in the Tayouneh area of Beirut. (Photo: Marwan Bou Haidar)

Salafi cleric #Ahmed_al-Assir’s fingerprints have reappeared and the link between the #Abdullah_Azzam_Brigades and the fugitive sheikh’s group grows stronger day after day. Awaiting to determine the identity of the suicide bomber, investigators were able to identify the route used by the car in the bombing, its owner’s identity, and its possible targets.

Radwan Mortada

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#Al-Nusra_Front #al-Qaeda #Articles #Chiyah #Hezbollah #Iran #ISIS #Lebanon #syria

#ISIS sets its sights on #Jordan
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/isis-sets-its-sights-jordan

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An image grab taken from a video uploaded on Youtube on June 12, 2014, allegedly shows Islamic State of #Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants taking part in a military parade in the northern city of Mosul. (Photo: AFP/Youtube) An image grab taken from a video uploaded on Youtube on June 12, 2014, allegedly shows Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants taking part in a military parade in the northern city of Mosul. (Photo: AFP/Youtube)

The ramifications of ISIS’ recent victories [in Iraq] did not take long to reach Jordan, in particular the southern Maan region, a hotbed of tension where a few days ago dozens of Salafi jihadis held a pro-ISIS march. They called for the removal of the borders established by the (...)

#Mideast_&_North_Africa #Abu_Musab_al-Zarqawi #Al-Nusra_Front #al-Qaeda #Articles #Ayman_al-Zawahiri #Islamic_Action_Front #Muslim_Brotherhood #syria #Turaibil

#al-Qaeda affiliates keeping a watchful eye on #ISIS' conquests
▻http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/al-qaeda-affiliates-keeping-watchful-eye-isis-conquests

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A file image grab taken from a video uploaded on YouTube on August 23, 2013 allegedly shows a member of Ussud Al-Anbar (Anbar Lions), a Jihadist group affiliated to the Islamic State of #Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Al-Qaeda’s front group in Iraq, holding up the trademark black and white Islamist flag at an undisclosed location in Iraq’s Anbar province. (Photo-AFP/Youtube) A file image grab taken from a video uploaded on YouTube on August 23, 2013 allegedly shows a member of Ussud Al-Anbar (Anbar Lions), a Jihadist group affiliated to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Al-Qaeda’s front group in Iraq, holding up the trademark black and white Islamist flag at an undisclosed location in Iraq’s Anbar province. (Photo-AFP/Youtube) (...)

#Mideast_&_North_Africa #Abu_Bakr_al-Baghdadi #Abudallah_Azzam_Brigades #Al-Nusra_Front #al-Zawahiri #Articles #Ayman #Baghdad #Caliphate #Homs #Lebanon #Mosul #syria