by Taylor Luck | Aug 27, 2013 | 22:56 Updated: Aug 27, 2013 | 22:56

AMMAN — Jordanian jihadist leaders on Tuesday warned Western powers against an impending military strike in Syria, vowing “full resistance” to any international intervention.

Leaders of the hard-line Jordanian Jihadi Salafist movement denounced US calls for a military response to chemical weapon use in Syria, claiming that any strike will serve as a “pretext” to target jihadist fighters battling the Syrian regime.

“For over two years this monstrous regime slaughtered Muslim men, women and children and the West was silent. Why is it ready to act now?” remarked Mohammed Shalabi, known as Abu Sayyaf, head of the Jordanian jihadist movement.

“There is only one true reason — to prevent the Syrian people from establishing an Islamic state.”

Abu Sayyaf declined to elaborate on how the jihadist movement would retaliate against any military strike, only declaring that Islamist militants will “resist” any international attempts to intervene in Syria.

However, a Syrian Islamist source confirmed that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and other Islamist groups are preparing a series of retaliation “counter-offensives” against Western interests if jihadists become the target of any military strike.

“A decision was taken to prepare for military operations within Syria and abroad against the West should they target our fighters,” an official from Al Qaeda-linked ISIS said.

“After two years the West has proven that it is no supporter of the Syrian people or Islam — and we will be ready.”

Due to their battle experience, Islamist groups have emerged as influential forces in the Syrian conflict in recent months, routing regime forces on several occasions.

Over 1,000 Jordanians are fighting alongside Islamists in Syria, constituting the largest foreign contingent.

The vast majority — some 80 per cent — serve with Al Qaeda-linked Jabhat Al Nusra coalition, while the rest have joined smaller Islamist groups and the Free Syrian Army.

SOURCE: http://jordantimes.com/local-jihadists-warn-west-over-syria-strike

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