Syrien

[Shahab3]

Al Nusrah Front, allies form new coalition for battle in Aleppo

BY THOMAS JOSCELYN | July 3, 2015
Screen Shot 2015-07-02 at 4.36.01 PM

The Al Nusrah Front, al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria, and allied organizations have formed a new coalition for the battle of Aleppo. The alliance calls itself Ansar al Sharia, a name used by other al Qaeda groups in the Middle East and North Africa. Along with a founding statement, the new grouping has released a short video announcing its establishment. A screen shot from the video can be seen above.

In addition to Al Nusrah, Ansar al Sharia includes one dozen other named groups. Ahrar al Sham and Ansar al Din, both of which are tied to al Qaeda’s international network, are members of the coalition.
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<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/07/al-nusrah-front-new-coalition-aleppo.php">http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/ ... aleppo.php</a><!-- m -->

Ansar al Din’s propaganda from the Battle of Aleppo

BY THOMAS JOSCELYN | July 3rd, 2015
Some of the first jihadist-produced images from the newly-launched offensive in Aleppo were posted by Ansar al Din, an al Qaeda-affiliated organization.
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A large contingent of jihadists from the Caucasus serve as JMA leaders and fighters. Sham al Islam is mainly comprised of fighters from North Africa and was founded by ex-Guantanamo detainees from Morocco. Saudis led Al Katibah al Khadra, before it was folded into the JMA.
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<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/07/ansar-al-dins-propaganda-from-the-battle-of-aleppo.php">http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/ ... aleppo.php</a><!-- m -->

Islamic State executes Syrian regime soldiers at Palmyra ruins
BY CALEB WEISS | July 5th, 2015 |

In a video released yesterday, the Islamic State showcased the execution of 25 Syrian regime soldiers in the city of Palmyra’s ancient Roman ruins. It appears that the executioners were adolescents, or possibly younger.

The jihadist group said these fighters were captured when it overran the city of Palmyra (Tadmur in Arabic) in late May. At least 462 civilians, 241 government troops, and 150 Islamic State fighters were killed in the fighting in and around the town since May 13, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
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