Does al-Qaeda have a foothold in Syria?
"If the West did not come to their aid, he worried the jihadis would find an opening.
"I tell the UN and the UN Security Council, the Syrian people can't take it anymore," he said.
"Our children killed; our women raped; our houses destroyed. If no-one helps us, we will turn to the devil himself.""
Good BBC report.
About the only thing to disagree with in the latter half of Paul Wood's report was this line:
"Many rebel fighters are deeply pious. But there is a moderate tradition of Islam here at odds with al-Qaeda's harsh ideology."
It doesn't make sense to portray al-Qaida's political beliefs as occupying an exclusive part of the religious spectrum. After the intro on the 10 O'Clock news and the short interview with Alastair Crooke I thought this might be a Russia Today style hatchet job on the opposition, whereas it is an exposure of the government's lies.
"I tell the UN and the UN Security Council, the Syrian people can't take it anymore," he said.
"Our children killed; our women raped; our houses destroyed. If no-one helps us, we will turn to the devil himself.""
Good BBC report.
About the only thing to disagree with in the latter half of Paul Wood's report was this line:
"Many rebel fighters are deeply pious. But there is a moderate tradition of Islam here at odds with al-Qaeda's harsh ideology."
It doesn't make sense to portray al-Qaida's political beliefs as occupying an exclusive part of the religious spectrum. After the intro on the 10 O'Clock news and the short interview with Alastair Crooke I thought this might be a Russia Today style hatchet job on the opposition, whereas it is an exposure of the government's lies.
