The Long War Journal has identified 117 training camps run by jihadist groups in Iraq and Syria. Almost half are operated by the Islamic State, while the other half are administered by the Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, and its allies. Some facilities are no longer operational, while other camps likely exist, but are not publicized by the jihadists.
The Jaysh al Fateh coalition has captured the city of Idlib, or much of it. Propaganda photos posted online show jihadist groups, including the Al Nusrah Front, controlling government buildings and key facilities.
Photos and videos posted on social media show that Jaysh al Fateh, a coalition of several jihadist groups, has captured a number of Syrian regime checkpoints surrounding the city of Idlib.
The Al Nusrah Front and Ahrar al Sham fought side-by-side with Western-backed rebels in a battle to take a key Assad regime base in southern Syria.
Jabhat al-Nusra tank commander sees little alternative to group
Al Nusrah Front and rivals clash in Deraa and Qalamoun
The Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, backed by Jund al Aqsa, Ahrar al Sham, and several other groups, has launched an offensive on two major regime bases in the northwestern province of Idlib.
Qatar runs covert desert training camp for Syrian rebels
Jabhat al-Nusra eyes Idlib for Islamic emirate
More than 30 training camps have been established by the Islamic State, al Qaeda, and allied jihadist groups in both Iraq and Syria since 2012.
Syrian rebels supplied by the United States continue to conduct joint operations with al Qaeda and their allies in Syria.
The Western-backed Syrian Revolutionaries Front continues to fight alongside Al Nusrah, the Islamic Front, and other Islamist groups in southern Syria.
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The Islamic Front identified Sheikh Hashim al Sheikh, who is also known as Abu Jaber, as the new emir of al Qaeda-allied Ahrar al Sham.
The Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, has released a statement honoring the Ahrar al Sham leaders killed in yesterday’s explosion. Al Nusrah says they were among the “best” of men and leaders.
Several influential al Qaeda members have used their Twitter feeds to mourn the slain leaders of Ahrar al Sham and the Islamic Front. The jihadists were killed in an explosion earlier today. One well-connected jihadist, who appears to be an al Qaeda media operative, claimed that the head of the Islamic Front had been in communication with Ayman al Zawahiri.
Blast kills leader of Syrian Islamist group, other top figures
The Islamic Front announced today that more than one dozen of its senior leaders were killed in a car bombing in Idlib. Among the slain leaders is Hassan Abboud, who was the leader of Ahrar al Sham and the head of the Islamic Front’s political office. Abboud was especially close to Ayman al Zawahiri’s representative in Syria.
Qatar’s Support of Extremists Alienates Allies Near and Far
The Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, has announced its responsibility for the detention of 45 UN peacekeepers in Syria. The group claims its actions are justified because the UN supposedly works “against Muslims.”
UN was told Golan peacekeepers seized ‘for their protection’
Al Nusrah Front advances on Quneitra, gains border crossing
The Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, and the Islamic Front, a coalition of several rebel groups, are using their social media pages to highlight their involvement in the rebels’ assault on the Quneitra border crossing.
Although 124 United Nations peacekeepers in the Golan Heights have recently fallen under the control of “armed elements of the [Syrian] opposition,” the UN wouldn’t say which group it is.
As IS advances, Syrian rebels reinforce northern strategic town
Islamic State takes Akhtarin
Terror finance worries may curb Doha kidnap mediation
The jihadist group ejected the rival Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s branch in Syria, and allied jihadist groups from five towns and villages in Aleppo province.
Defying Syria, United Nations Sends in Trucks Carrying Aid
Syrian government forces launch offensive in key Damascus suburb