The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant reportedly beheaded two men near al-Dweiraniya in Aleppo in late August. The Al Nusrah Front and allied jihadists seized an army checkpoint today outside the ancient Christian town of Maalula after attacking the checkpoint with a suicide bombing. ISIL, the Al Nusrah Front, and "some rebel factions" continued to battle Kurdish forces in Hasakah. The Caucasus Muhajireen ("Emigrants Army") battalion declared independence from other Islamist groups fighting in Syria, claiming that its ranks of foreign fighters are growing. The Syrian National Coalition said that Syria's former defense minister has defected to Turkey. A top Syrian diplomat said Syria does not want wars with the US, and called for dialogue, but said Syria would strike Israel, Jordan, and Turkey if they take part in an intervention in Syria. He blamed rebels for the Aug. 21 chemical attack and warned that a strike on Syria, "the only" secular nation in the region, would strengthen al Qaeda-linked rebels.
Bill Roggio is a regular guest on the John Batchelor Show from Monday through Friday to discuss the war. Check John's site for the time. Click here to listen live online at WABC.
