U.S. Envoy Met with Syrian Rebel Leader Who Expressed Solidarity with Al-Qaida by John Rossomando Investigative Project on Terrorism President Trump’s Special Envoy to Syria Joel Rayburn reportedly met Monday in Istanbul with a delegation that included a high-ranking pro-Turkish Syrian rebel leader who endorsed al-Qaida-linked rebels. A photo posted by the National Coalition of…
Proposed Anti-Tank Missile Sale to Turkey, Qatar Raises Concern by John Rossomando Investigative Project on Terrorism Advanced anti-tank missiles that Raytheon and Lockheed Martin plan to sell to Turkey and Qatar could end up in the hands of jihadists, a member of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) told the Investigative Project on Terrorism (IPT).…
Islamists Endorse Deadly Turkish Assault on Kurds by Hany Ghoraba Special to IPT News Investigative Project on Terrorism A full-fledged military assault on a predominantly Muslim community typically sparks a global wave of protests, condemnation, and sometimes calls by Islamist leaders for retaliation. This has not happened, however, with Turkey’s massive military assault on the…
Report: Jabhat al-Nusra’s Rebranding Aims To Ensure Group’s Survival by Abha Shankar Investigative Project on Terrorism Jabhat al-Nusra’s July 28 announcement of its new name and avatar, the Fateh al-Sham Front (“The Victory in Al-Sham Front”), does not mean the terrorist group has formally split ties with al-Qaida, an Israeli intelligence report warns. Jabhat al-Nusra…
U.S.-Backed Syrian Rebel Commander Boasts of Fighting With AQ Affiliate by Ariel Behar and Ravi Kumar Investigative Project on Terrorism A commander of a U.S.-backed Syrian opposition group says his fighters continue to ally on the battlefield with an al-Qaida-tied jihadist group. The United States continues to arm Nuruddin az-Zinki as it fights…
Arrests Show Jihadists Infiltrating Syrian Refugees by Abigail R. Esman Special to IPT News Investigative Project on Terrorism When Europe agreed to open its borders to Syrian refugees in response to one of the greatest humanitarian crises of our age, officials assured the Western world: we’ve got this. There will be no jihadists among them;…
Leader of U.S. Supported Syrian Rebel Group Backs Al-Qaida by John Rossomando and Ravi Kumar Investigative Project on Terrorism Al-Qaida and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) are allies fighting alongside each other for the same cause and should not be viewed differently when it comes to toppling the Assad regime, said Anas al-Abdeh, president of…
FSA-linked Commander Threatens Kurdish Civilians by John Rossomando Investigative Project on Terrorism A radio transmission between the commander of an Islamist brigade with ties to the U.S.-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) and a Kurdish man contained a chilling message threatening to slaughter Kurdish civilians in Syria. “My fighters are just like lions, and you know…
Syrian Brotherhood Stands Nearer to ISIS Than to U.S. by Ravi Kumar IPT News Investigative Project on Terrorism While the United States tries to build a coalition of Arab allies to join the fight against the terrorist group ISIS, now known as the Islamic State, one group which stands to benefit directly is coming out…
