The Al Nusrah Front for the People of the Levant has claimed yet another suicide attack in Syria. The group released a statement today claiming credit for the May 19 suicide attack on Syrian intelligence services in Deir al-Zor. The Al Nusrah Front, which has been described as an al Qaeda-linked jihadist group in Syria, said the attack was designed to avenge “the aggression of the regime’s dogs in Deir al-Zor.” Below is an excerpt from the statement, which was translated by the SITE Intelligence Group. Al Nusrah identified the suicide bomber, and said it attempts to reduce civilian casualties but will continue to carry out suicide attacks:
The martyrdom-seeker Abu Mu’awiyyah al-Forati, may Allah accept him, took off with his explosives-laden vehicle to penetrate their fortresses in front of their eyes through the parking gate. By the grace of Allah, his blood was shed while destroying these two structures over the heads of those inside…
…no civilians as far as we know fell in this martyrdom-seeking operation, and this is something that the Al Nusra Front is keen to have as much as possible. Many operations were canceled due to the presence of innocent people in the targeted site.
The blessed operations will continue in order to cleanse the land of the Levant from the filth of the Nusayris [Alawites] and to grant relief to the Sunnis from their oppression.
Interestingly enough, Al Nusrah has not claimed credit for the May 10 double suicide attack in Damascus that killed 55 people. The terror group denied the authenticity of a video claiming credit for the attack that was released in its name, but also did not deny or accept credit for that attack.
Al Nusrah has now claimed credit for four suicide attacks in Syria, as well other conventional attacks, to include ambushes and IED strikes.
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5 Comments
When this group said in this communique that “no civilians as far as we know fell” and then asserts their cancellation of attacks when civilians were at risk, does it call into question the professed links between it and the Iraqi al Qaeda types who apparently had no such distinction between civilians and combatants?
Of the many conflicts enveloping parts of the Muslim world this one is shaping up as one of the more fascinating. The Continentalism that came to define & pressure Europe, Russia & the Ottomans has now embraced the Middle East & adjoining Muslim regions/locales.
The Syrian people do not need these horrific attacks. The Syrian people are just in defending themselves from Assad with violence if necessary in my opinion. The tactic of suicide bombing should be ended however. It does more harm than good to any side that uses it. A fight against dictatorship in the name of democracy is a truly just cause. Assad could have left years ago and he continues to refuse to leave. It is unacceptable.
I hope to see much more coverage of the conflict as it spills over it’s borders into neighboring Lebanon with it’s strong Hezbollah presence there. I don’t think they are going to keep the lid on things in Lebanon if this conflict continues on it’s current course. If Lebanon get’s into a broader Shia vs Sunni conflict the whole region is sure to be involved. Get your tickets now. Iraq is next in line.
From the AQ perspective, no Shia or Alawi are innocent civilians… In Iraq or Syria for this matter. Nusrah suicide attacks will continue to prompt Syrian security crackdown on Sunnis which will drive that segment of the population to , at least, passively support Nusrah.