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Syrian Analyst Comments on Clashes Between Security Forces, "Takfiri" Group

Posted on: Saturday, 3 September 2005, 12:00 CDT

Qatari Al-Jazeera satellite TV at 1312 gmt on 3 September carries a five-minute satellite interview with Dr Ibrahim al-Darraji, a Damascus University professor of international law, on clashes between Syrian forces and a group of the Jund al-Sham [Greater Syria] Army on 2 September.

Presenter Abd-al-Qadir Ayyad begins by asking: "This is not the first time the Syrian forces engage in clashes with what they describe as the Jund al-Sham group. What can you tell us about this group in Syria?"

Al-Darraji says that over the past weeks, several armed clashes raged in the areas of Daff al-Shawk in Damascus, Madaya in the Damascus rural area, and on the Syrian-Lebanese border.

"According to the documents seized in the possession of the group members who were captured in the area of Daff al-Shawk, the group is a takfiri [those who hold other Muslims as infidels] organization. It seeks to carry out terrorist attacks of sectarian nature in Syria. It believes that the recent measures taken by the Syrian government to control the Syrian-Iraqi border more tightly hurt its policies and interests," Al-Darraji says. Therefore, the guest continues, the group decided to direct its attacks against the Syrian government and people.

"I would like to add that according to information available today, a Syrian child was among the victims who fell in this clash between the group and the counterterrorism forces," he adds.

Asked whether the group issued a statement that sheds more light on its identity and affiliation, Al-Darraji says that the group has roots in the literature of the Al-Qa'idah organization. He notes that the group, which was formed in the camps of the Al-Qa'idah organization in the Afghan city of Herat, comprises activists from Syria.

The guest adds that it is premature to talk about a link between the city of Hamah where the 2 September clashes took place and the group, noting that previous clashes broke out in other areas in rural Damascus and on the Syrian-Lebanese border.

"I would like to note that the confrontation with this group should not be only military. I think that all segments of the Syrian society, including the religious scholars and ulema whom we deeply respect, should play a role. The Syrian society is supposed to highlight violence and danger that threaten our security and stability," he notes.

Asked whether the group has carried out any sabotage operations in Syria in the past, Al-Darraji says that the Syrian forces have so far been able to deal "pre-emptive" blows to the group.

Source: BBC Monitoring Middle East

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