The Syrian government is involved in a desperate struggle to fight off Islamic terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood.
Should Syria fail al-Qaeda elements could sweep into the Golan Heights, according to a very senior Israel military official, speaking on the condition of absolute secrecy (see article: Israel fears Assad fall may bring Al-Qaeda to Golan http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2012/May/middleeast_May190.xml§ion=middleeast ).
Sources suggest the Syrian government is fighting al-Qaeda which has launched numerous attacks, including those targeting civilians.
The latest string of suicide bombings in the Syrian capital showed an increasing ruthlessness: The attackers struck during rush hour, setting off one blast to draw a crowd before unleashing a much bigger one, killing 55 people and leaving the street strewn with rubble and dead bodies.
It had all the hallmarks of an al-Qaeda attack.
Syrian officials say there is little doubt that Al Qaeda-affiliated extremists have made inroads in Syria since the popular uprising against President Bashar Assad began 14 months ago. This is something the US is reluctant to admit, despite the clear evidence. The fact is al-Qaeda has managed to worm its way into Syria and the rise in suicide attacks proves it. You also have videos being posted online from al-Qaeda urging Muslims to conduct Jihad there.
“What more evidence do you need? It’s as clear as the nose on your face”, said Walter Moore of New York, New York, who tracks al-Qaeda activities online and has been closely monitoring reports out of Syria. Moore has tried repeatedly to share intelligence information with the Pentagon, which seems genuinely confused as to al-Qaeda presence in Syria.
"We do have intelligence that indicates that there is an Al Qaeda presence in Syria, but frankly we don’t have very good intelligence as to just exactly what their activities are," U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told reporters in Washington on Thursday.
Panetta said he didn’t know whether Al Qaeda was connected to the latest bombings in Damascus. Moore and others say the al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
“Either Panetta is getting bad intelligence or he is just plain stupid”, Moore said.
See video: ‘US backs Al-Qaeda to mutually destroy Syria’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0ZCgGJig0c
See also: Twin blasts attacks in Damascus – carried out by an al Qaeda-linked militant group [©CNN] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKnq2VD23GY&feature=youtube_gdata
The US is, in many ways making matters worse in Syria by arming the rebels (see: Escobar: Al-Qaeda agents worm into Syrian rebel army http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liXG_vm4jes ).
Robert Tilford
Leave Your Comments