Overview
Abu Ahmed is the nom de guerre of a Nusra Front military commander in eastern Syria. Balint Szlanko, “Jabhat Al Nusra's new Syria,” National [UAE], December 15, 2012, http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/jabhat-al-nusras-new-syria#ixzz2F8FanNW5. His real name is unknown. Abu Ahmed worked as a bus driver before the Syrian civil war began. Balint Szlanko, “Jabhat Al Nusra's new Syria,” National [UAE], December 15, 2012, http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/jabhat-al-nusras-new-syria#ixzz2F8FanNW5. He claims he had troubles with Syrian security services before the war because of his extreme religious devotion. Balint Szlanko, “Jabhat Al Nusra's new Syria,” National [UAE], December 15, 2012, http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/jabhat-al-nusras-new-syria#ixzz2F8FanNW5. Ahmed believes sharia is the right path for all of humanity Andrea Rosa, “Militant leader in Syria seeks Islamic state,” Associated Press, November 30, 2012, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/militant-leader-syria-seeks-islamic-state. and says Syrians protesting for freedom in 2011 took up arms in response to attacks by the Syrian army. Balint Szlanko, “Jabhat Al Nusra's new Syria,” National [UAE], December 15, 2012, http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/jabhat-al-nusras-new-syria#ixzz2F8FanNW5. Little else is known about Ahmed aside from his Islamist beliefs.
Ahmed envisions a Syria living under strict sharia, where alcohol, tobacco, movies, and “immoral” TV shows would be banned. Andrea Rosa, “Militant leader in Syria seeks Islamic state,” Associated Press, November 30, 2012, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/militant-leader-syria-seeks-islamic-state; Balint Szlanko, “Jabhat Al Nusra's new Syria,” National [UAE], December 15, 2012, http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/jabhat-al-nusras-new-syria#ixzz2F8FanNW5.
The Nusra front is committed to the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Abu Ahmed respects al-Qaeda for its devotion to sharia, but denies any ties between the Nusra Front and al-Qaeda. Balint Szlanko, “Jabhat Al Nusra's new Syria,” National [UAE], December 15, 2012, http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/jabhat-al-nusras-new-syria#ixzz2F8FanNW5. Abu Ahmed has justified Nusra’s violent tactics and killing of civilians in certain circumstances. Balint Szlanko, “Jabhat Al Nusra's new Syria,” National [UAE], December 15, 2012, http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/jabhat-al-nusras-new-syria#ixzz2F8FanNW5.
Associated Groups
- Extremist entity
- The Nusra Front
- Read Threat Report
- Type(s) of Organization:
- Insurgent, non-state actor, terrorist, transnational, violent
- Ideologies and Affiliations:
- Al-Qaeda affiliated group, Islamist, jihadist, Qutbist, Salafist, Sunni
- Position(s):
- Military commander in the Hasakah governorate of eastern Syria
Al-Nusra Front is an internationally sanctioned terrorist group, one of the strongest insurgent groups in Syria, and a formerly open al-Qaeda affiliate that seeks to replace the Assad regime in Syria with an Islamic state. Operating as part of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) coalition since January 2017, al-Nusra Front stands accused of serving as a base for global al-Qaeda operations.
History
Daily Dose
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
In Their Own Words:
We reiterate once again that the brigades will directly target US bases across the region in case the US enemy commits a folly and decides to strike our resistance fighters and their camps [in Iraq].
Mar. 2023