ALEPPO, Syria — Protests in Syria’s northern city Aleppo against the Free Syrian Army highlight the waning influence of mainstream rebel groups and the rise of more disciplined and better-equipped radical Islamists.
Once a rare sight in the Syria’s second city and commercial hub, plagued since July 20 by deadly urban combat, the presence of Islamist fighters has now become increasingly felt.
“One morning I woke up and looked outside to see six armed men in black, wearing headbands and their eyes lined with kohl” in the tradition of the Prophet Mohammad, said George, a resident of the western Siryan Al Jadideh District.
Their ferocity and fighting skills have made the jihadist “Al Nusra Front the dominant force in Aleppo now”, eclipsing the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Liwa Al Tawhid, once the strongest brigade in the city, said another, Mustafa.
Islamist militants are known not only for their discretion, but also for their selflessness in combat, prompting protesters on Friday to urge the FSA to man the front lines instead of staying in commandeered quarters.
Maher, a former clothing shop clerk and resident of the FSA-held district of Bustan Al Qasr, took part in a recent protest against looting by rebels who he says have taken over the homes of many families who have fled the violence.
Categories: Arab World, Asia, Syria