Almost half of the rebel forces fighting against the Syrian government are hardline Islamists or jihadists with Al-Qaeda links, according to a new study due to be published this week.
Split into around 1,000 fragmented cells, the Syrian opposition
consists of at least 10,000 fighters who are jihadists with
strong links to Al-Qaeda, while another 35,000 are hardline
Islamists, according to analysis by defense consultancy IHS
Jane's.
The difference between jihadist and hardliners, the Telegraph
reports is that the latter concentrates only on the Syria, while
jihadist groups have a global outreach. A further 30,000
opposition fighters belong to more moderate groups that have an
Islamic character. The study, based interviews with militants and
on intelligence estimates, concludes that around 100,000 rebel
fighters are involved with the opposition forces.
"The insurgency is now dominated by groups which have at least an
Islamist viewpoint on the conflict," Charles Lister, author
of the analysis told the Telegraph. "The idea that it is
mostly secular groups leading the opposition is just not borne
out.”
Al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant
(ISIL) are two dominant groups that have Al-Qaeda links and are
gaining momentum on the ground.
"Because of the Islamist make up of such a large proportion of
the opposition, the fear is that if the West doesn't play its
cards right, it will end up pushing these people away from the
people we are backing," Lister said. "If the West looks as
though it is not interested in removing Assad, moderate Islamists
are also likely to be pushed further towards extremists."
The issue of Western support to the opposition has long raised
questions over the fears arms might fall into terrorist hands.
As if trying to help the West separate hardcore militants from
moderate opposition, Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri addressed
his brothers on Sunday, calling on them to avoid allying with
other rebel fighters backed by Gulf Arab states and the West.
"I warn my brothers and people in the Syria of unity and jihad
against coming close to any of these groups," Zawahri said.
Meanwhile, in the past two weeks the US has reportedly begun delivering arms to militants
battling the Syrian government.
The CIA has been entrusted to monitor the delivery of arms to
insure that it does not end up in the hands of Al-Qaeda
associates.
The agency controls and tracks the delivery of reportedly light
weapons and other munitions via countries bordering Syria, such
as Turkey and Jordan.
The US State Department has its own separate program of
delivering vehicles and other non-lethal gear, such as
communication equipment, advanced combat medical kits and
high-calorie food packets to the Syrian opposition forces using
the same supply channels.