Libyan Rebels move on to Syria to assist liberation front
19 replies, posted
[QUOTE][B]Tripoli, Libya (CNN)[/B] -- Their war for freedom in Libya may be over, but almost a year after they won the battle for the Libyan capital, a group of fighters have a new battlefield: Syria.Under the command of one of Libya's most well known rebel commanders, Al-Mahdi al-Harati, more than 30 Libyan fighters have made their way into Syria to support the Free Syrian Army rebels in their war against President Bashar al-Assad's regime.Al-Harati, who commanded the Tripoli Revolutionary brigade -- which was the first group of rebels to enter the Libyan capital last August -- has been in Syria for months leading some of his former men and Syrian military defectors who have joined his "Liwaa al-Umma" or "The Banner of the Nation" brigade.Recent YouTube videos show at least two different Syrian rebel factions announcing that they are part of the Liwa al-Umma.[URL="http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/28/world/meast/syria-unrest/index.html"]Heavy fighting in Syrian city of Aleppo[/URL]Al-Harati, who has dual Libyan and Irish citizenship, first visited Syria last year on what he calls a "fact finding mission" to see the situation on the ground and find out what Syrian rebels needed."After many Syrians approached me asking for my help, I felt it was time to do more and due to the great success of the Tripoli Brigade we felt it was time to act and that meant the formation of the Banner of the Nation," Al-Harati told CNN in Skype messages this week.Al-Harati said: "With the prior success in Libya I decided to leave nationality aside and, just like world organizations helped Libya in its time of need, I decided to pass my experience to others to benefit."
In the past week, at least three more former members of the Tripoli Revolutionary Brigade traveled from the Libyan capital to join their former commander in Syria, two former members of the TRB says.Al-Harati, who describes himself as a "commander and facilitator" says there were no active efforts to recruit Libyans."These are grown men with their own minds and do not need convincing about this cause," Al-Harati said.Mohammed, 23, fought in some of the fiercest battles against Moammar Gadhafi's troops in Libya's Western Mountains.One year on, he dreams of fighting al-Assad's troops. He does not want his last name disclosed because he does not want his family to know he wants to go to Syria."What Bashar al-Assad is doing is unacceptable in Islam ... He is killing children and wiping out entire cities ... The Syrians need people to fight with them, this is Jihad, it does not have to be my (personal) cause ... As a Muslim I have to go and help them," he said.Mohammed smiles as he recalls the fighting in Libya last year, like now he says, it was during the Holy Month of Ramadan.[URL="http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/26/world/meast/syria-weapons/index.html"]Syrian rebels appear more capable, yet still outgunned[/URL]
"There is nothing better than Jihad during Ramadan ... There are some people who look at us and say we are Jihadist extremists, we are not. In Libya we experienced Jihad, tasted the beauty of Jihad. We are not going to Jihad like al-Qaeda and others. We are going to support our brothers in Syria," he said.Another fighter is Housam Najjair. He is 33, al-Harati's brother-in-law, and had never used a weapon until he fought in Libya last year.He said: "When I watch TV reports ... you hear the cries of an old woman or a mother of a child who has been killed, or some of the brutal pictures that we have seen of children being killed ... I can not sit back and watch that," Najjair told CNN in a Skype interview from one of Turkey's borders with Syria hours before making the dangerous journey into Syria."I have to do whatever I can to make that journey. Because I feel guilty putting my head down at nighttime knowing that last year I was given an amazing opportunity to learn how to use weapons, for good, all for good, learn how to use weapons, how to maneuver, how to travel, how to attack, how to defend, all these things," Najjair said, adding that his aim is to share these experiences with Syrian rebels.During the interview, Najjair got the phone call he had been waiting for, his group of fighters is mobilizing to go into Syria."It is a rollercoaster of different kinds of emotions, you get excited, you get adrenalin, fear, anticipation, all these feelings come into it, fear is not the main factor and in my mind will never be ... it will impair your judgment ... Libya was a walk in the park compared to Syria, I know this going in there," Najjair said as he prepared to leave.Najjair says the no-fly zone enforced in Libya last year helped rebel fighters and allowed them to make great advances. Without that in Syria, operating will be much harder.He says they do not have a military base, there are makeshift barracks; they are constantly on the move and cannot spend more than a day in one location. Fighters, he says, are scattered across different areas.[URL="http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/23/world/meast/syria-street-of-death/index.html"]A Syrian town's 'Street of Death'[/URL]Last month, a senior Libyan security official told CNN the government was aware of Libyans fighting in Syria, but they were individuals and not government sponsored.Earlier this year, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, accused Libya of hosting and training Syrian rebels. A claim denied by the Libyan prime minister.But Libya's government and people have been vocal in their support for the Syrian opposition.Libya was one of the first countries to recognize the opposition Syrian National Council as the legitimate representatives of the Syrian people and in February, Tripoli expelled Assad's diplomats and closed down their embassy.Many in Libya say they relate to Syrians who want to overthrow the regime. It was not too long ago that they lived a similar experience.But not everyone chooses to express support militarily.Some show solidarity by hanging the Syrian opposition flag outside their shops in Tripoli, flying alongside the Free Libya flag.In a YouTube video posted on July 4, a group of six Libyan doctors is seen being greeted by Free Syrian Army troops as they enter Syria."We are coming for you Bashar," says one of the doctors as they shake hands with the heavily armed Syrian fighters.There are no official figures on how many Libyans are currently in Syria. In February, reports of at least four Libyan fighters killed in Syria circulated, but there has been no government confirmation.For fighters like Najjair, the risk of death is a matter of faith.He said: "You have to have faith and you have to say to yourself, "if it's my time, I will be gone. If it's not my time it will be another amazing journey another amazing victory.""[URL="http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/24/world/meast/northern-syria-violence/index.html"]Faces of the Free Syrian Army[/URL][/QUOTE]
Source: [URL]http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/28/world/meast/syria-libya-fighters/index.html?iref=allsearch[/URL]
Didn't they try to do this ages ago?
[QUOTE=Radley;36992057]Didn't they try to do this ages ago?[/QUOTE]
I think they just said they would send help, they didn't actually send any until now.
I have the utmost respect for these soldiers. It's one thing to sacrifice your life for the freedom of your people, but to do it twice... I sincerely hope the revolution in Syria makes a turn for the better.
[QUOTE=MuTAnT;36992726]I have the utmost respect for these soldiers. It's one thing to sacrifice your life for the freedom of your people, but to do it twice... I sincerely hope the revolution in Syria makes a turn for the better.[/QUOTE]
I read an article in the newspaper once that said that the Libyan fighters had become a nuisance after the revolution because they didn't want to hand over their guns or in some cases find a job. Maybe that's why.
If both of these countries pull through, I wonder if there's going to be a "brotherhood" growing between these nations? Having freed themselves from their shackles and all. Just thinking. Because it's nice to have a "brother" nation. Us Estonians have close ties with the Finns for example, and it's just a nice, warm feeling having "brothers" across the sea. >.>
I'm finnish and I don't see estonia as a "brother" narion. Certainly we have our ties, but I really look to sweden if any nation for a "brother" nation.
I hope they bring that Bulldozer Tank with them:
[img]http://a57.foxnews.com/global.fncstatic.com/static/managed/img/Scitech/660/371/armored%20bulldozer%20libya.JPG[/img]
:v:
[QUOTE=Madman_Andre;36994891]I hope they bring that Bulldozer Tank with them:
[img]http://a57.foxnews.com/global.fncstatic.com/static/managed/img/Scitech/660/371/armored%20bulldozer%20libya.JPG[/img]
:v:[/QUOTE]
That's so cool
[QUOTE=Radley;36994788]I'm finnish and I don't see estonia as a "brother" narion. Certainly we have our ties, but I really look to sweden if any nation for a "brother" nation.[/QUOTE]
Well just-a-boy it looks like he doesn't see you as a brother nation. But if he doesn't consider you a friend, then what does he consider you? That sounds to me like a veiled threat! If he's making that threat would your country be prepared to take the necessary action to defend itself?
Radley, obviously just-a-boy seems obsessed with this idea of Finland as a brother nation, and he now appears to threatening the 'necessary action' to force this brotherhood! If that happens would you be prepared to issue a full declaration of war and fight them on all fronts?
just-a-boy, Finland now seeming poised to declare war, would you say a pre-emptive strike may now be in order?
Estonia now apparently planning a pre-emptive strike! Radley, does Finland have any tricks up its sleeve for Estonia?
just-a-boy, Finland are now claiming they have a few tricks up their sleeve, sounds to me like a nuclear threat against your country! Is the war now on?
smurfy here reporting from the Finland-Estonia border where war has just broken out, there is absolute chaos and explosions everywhere
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3BO6GP9NMY[/media]
I remember reading that a canadian was helping the Libyan rebels, this is heartwarming, fighting for peace should have borders
Change the names of some countries around and you have a story indistinguishable from Al Qaeda sending people to Iraq to fight imperialist non-Muslims who are oppressing and killing innocent Muslims.
Totally mindblown. Never thought that after 9/11, Jihadin' Muslims would be seen/portrayed by western media as heroes.
[QUOTE=Used Car Salesman;36995501]Change the names of some countries around and you have a story indistinguishable from Al Qaeda sending people to Iraq to fight imperialist non-Muslims who are oppressing and killing innocent Muslims.[/QUOTE]
Couldnt agree more. The only difference now is all that AQ rhetoric is being used by those opposed to the Syrian civil war.
I'd rate it winner, but then I remembered reading some article where they imprisoned pro-gaddafi soldiers in zoo cages.
[QUOTE=just-a-boy;36993166]If both of these countries pull through, I wonder if there's going to be a "brotherhood" growing between these nations? Having freed themselves from their shackles and all. Just thinking. Because it's nice to have a "brother" nation. Us Estonians have close ties with the Finns for example, and it's just a nice, warm feeling having "brothers" across the sea. >.>[/QUOTE]
:(
I always find it very cute when the Estonians want to be friends with the Nordics but not the other way around.
Perhaps you will find more love with your Southern friends.
[QUOTE=Used Car Salesman;36995501]Change the names of some countries around and you have a story indistinguishable from Al Qaeda sending people to Iraq to fight imperialist non-Muslims who are oppressing and killing innocent Muslims.[/QUOTE]
Actually its funny you mention this.
Syria after all was extremely supportive of AQ starting in 2003 onwards they supplied Jihadists with weapons and left their borders with Iraq unsecured so Syrian, Libyan, and Saudi Jihadists could sneak into Iraq to kill Iraqis and attack US troops.
[URL="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/22/world/middleeast/22fighters.html?pagewanted=all"]In fact the main entry point for foreign insurgents into Iraq was the Syrian-Iraqi border.[/URL]
These jihadists made Syria their home and setup camps and established arms stashes to serve as way stations for insurgents on their way to Iraq.
So really Assad is just reaping what he has sown.
The IED's, car bombs, and suicide vests once built to kill US troops are now blowing up Assad's army and his shabiha.
The small arms weapons, and the mortars and rockets that AQ stashed in Syria for use in Iraq are now conveniently at the ready for AQ's war in Syria.
Syria did nothing to counter AQ at all, even in the aftermath of 9/11 when they promised the US assistance. Now, there are alot of AQ insurgents in Syria, with no more US troops to attack, and an Alawite led government breathing down their neck that is killing lots of Sunnis (FYI AQ is mostly if not entirely Sunni). Assad is fucked, and he brought it upon himself, the dumbass he is.
[QUOTE=Robbi;36997731]:(
I always find it very cute when the Estonians want to be friends with the Nordics but not the other way around.
Perhaps you will find more love with your Southern friends.[/QUOTE]
I think you're a bit confused there. We don't want to be a part of the exclusive Scandinavian Club - we have very close ties with the Finnish people alone that go back as far as the beginning of the 20th century. That is all. It's a pity not everyone understands nor accepts the ties nor these feelings, but I on the other hand would gladly help out our brother Finns if they would need it again.
However, if people are going to play the "nordic" ancestry card alone, they should know that the only difference between our people is the geographical location - our ancient history, language, customs: they draw heavily from one-another. It simply wouldn't make sense to draw the line of Nordic Nations between Estonia and Latvia when you have a perfectly good gulf separating us. By all other means, we're a nordic people.
In short, there are people who have these feelings, and there are people who don't. And that's OK if they don't become patronizing douchebags over it. It's just bothering me how there have been more and more young people with the elitist attitude (with Finland being a "candidate" of sorts for the Scandinavian nations group).
I hope YOU understand that blood spilled together in our fight for both our freedoms means more to us than a petty label in a petty group. It's our respect that runs deep.
[QUOTE=Radley;36994788]I'm finnish and I don't see estonia as a "brother" narion. Certainly we have our ties, but I really look to sweden if any nation for a "brother" nation.[/QUOTE]
Well, how about this. We have you as our big bro, you have Sweden as a big bro.
There are those that are born to slay, many take the law into their own hands and are sent to prison for murder. But the fight against cruel dictators gives born killers an opportunity to wreak legalized vengeance. Along with thousands of likeminded buddies they march to Libya and Syria hoping to kick ass. Some will never return but they will quickly be replaced by other mujahedeen. Those killing in the name of Islam might be hated but are needed in the war against evil doers.
[QUOTE=polnick;37021957]There are those that are born to slay, many take the law into their own hands and are sent to prison for murder. But the fight against cruel dictators gives born killers an opportunity to wreak legalized vengeance. Along with thousands of likeminded buddies they march to Libya and Syria hoping to kick ass. Some will never return but they will quickly be replaced by other mujahedeen. Those killing in the name of Islam might be hated but are needed in the war against evil doers.[/QUOTE]
What an interesting first post.
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