Syria’s bloodthirsty Brits blamed for beheadings
Rebel commander says most-violent jihadists are British
Bloodthirsty British jihadists in Syria are responsible for a string of atrocities including beheadings and crucifixions, claims a senior rebel commander.
Brigadier-General Abdulellah al-Basheer of the Free Syria Army also warns that the British extremists could return to these shores to “continue on their pernicious path of destruction”.
In a letter to The Times, the rebel commander pleads with Britain to send arms to the moderate Syrian opposition to help them deal with the threat of the Sunni Islamist group the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). The terror unit uses such extreme violence that it has been condemned even by al-Qaeda.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
General al-Basheer writes: “They are not freedom fighters. They are terrorists. We the Syrian people now experience beheadings, crucifixions, beatings, murders . . . Many who participate in these activities are British.”
British MPs say that a debate on policy towards Syria is long overdue. The threat potentially posed by returning jihadists is of particular concern. “That in itself is worthy of proper discussion,” said the former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell.
Britain currently provides non-lethal support, including communications equipment and body armour, to moderate rebels in Syria. The government has thus far ruled out providing arms, which it fears could fall into the hands of a growing number of terrorist groups in the warzone.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - February 1, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - broken eggs, contagious lies, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 humorously unhealthy cartoons about RFK Jr.
Cartoons Artists take on medical innovation, disease spreading, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Brodet (fish stew) recipe
The Week Recommends This hearty dish is best accompanied by a bowl of polenta
By The Week UK Published
-
Who is the Hat Man? 'Shadow people' and sleep paralysis
In Depth 'Sleep demons' have plagued our dreams throughout the centuries, but the explanation could be medical
By The Week Staff Published
-
The challenge facing Syria's Alawites
Under The Radar Minority sect that was favoured under Assad now fears for its future
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Islamic State: the terror group's second act
Talking Point Isis has carried out almost 700 attacks in Syria over the past year, according to one estimate
By The Week UK Published
-
What will happen in 2025? Predictions and events
The Explainer The new year could bring further chaos in the Middle East and an intensifying AI arms race – all under the shadow of a second Donald Trump presidency
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Kremlin seeks to quell Assad divorce reports
Speed Read Media reports suggest that British citizen Asma al-Assad wants to leave the deposed Syrian dictator and return to London as a British citizen
By Hollie Clemence, The Week UK Published
-
Inside the house of Assad
The Explainer Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafez, ruled Syria for more than half a century but how did one family achieve and maintain power?
By The Week UK Published
-
Is it safe for refugees to return to Syria?
Talking Point European countries rapidly froze asylum claims after Assad's fall but Syrian refugees may have reason not to rush home
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Assad's fall upends the Captagon drug empire
Multi-billion-dollar drug network sustained former Syrian regime
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published