According to CENTCOM, al-Qaeda affiliate leader Abu Hamzah al-Yemeni was killed in an unspecified US strike in the Idlib Province of northern Syria.
Al-Yemeni is a senior figure in Hurras al-Din, an al-Qaeda-loyal umbrella of Islamist groups in the area. The group is made up mostly of foreign Islamists who were fighting in northern Syria, and is active in Latakia, Idlib, and Aleppo.
CENTCOM said the killing of al-Yemeni would damage al-Qaeda’s ability to attack all over the world. That may be overselling things, as it’s not clear the Hurras al-Din are active anywhere beyond Syria. They added that there were no indications of civilian casualties at this time, a catch-all claim that US officials rarely correct when evidence emerges to the contrary.
CENTCOM’s statement emphasized that while they have struck some targets related to al-Qaeda, they are also attacking “Iran-backed militias” and the Assad government within Syria. Throughout the Syria war the US has often focused on Syria and Iran, the groups primarily fighting the Islamists.
A complete BS. There is no such a thing as Ak-Qaeda. Name is used to justify whatever purpose. There is also no ISIS any more. Financiers and ideoligucal creatirs dropped both projects.
However, there is HTS, former Nusra, former Al-Qaeda. Al-Qaeda name was useful as a recruitment tool in splintered Syria. But once Al-qaeda name was no linger needed, and their target Aleppo was to become the face of “resistance”, Al-Qaeda became Nusra, which then lost all shine to become a remaned HTS, defenders of Levant.
This is the only Western funded outfit in Idlib. Their White Helmets have bern evacuated.
So, besides militant groups that accepted Turkish command and pay — the few remaining militant groups have accepted HTS dominance.
Every once in a while a group gets ynhappy with HTS controlling funds ot UN humanitarian supply, and threatens to join Turkey supported militia — that is a threat to Western outfit, HTS. Thus a leader has to go, or un thus case a second leader in two years. With hope that the militant group will remain with HTS.
There are two reasons HTS wants to remain in control of Idlib. First — it provides the cover for justifying UN supply route directly from Turkey to Idlib in the name of feeding population. Secind — loss of militant groups and their dependent population would diminish HTS standing in whatever final peace solution is found for Idlib.
In the final analysis — foreign presence with diminihing influence in Syria is a losing proposition. Turkey is supporting Sunni populatiin and is opposing US attempts to carve out Kurdish territory. Iran is helping decimated Shia population to recover post. ISIS crisis. Russia is helping Christians to recover. With no goal for staying in Syria — US and Europeans are increasingly struggle for redefining narrative.
I really do not believe anything the MIC and its appendages say. Period.
“CENTCOM said the killing of al-Yemeni would damage al-Qaeda’s ability to attack all over the world.”
“Damage” being the key word here. We’ve been damaging them since 2001 but like mosquitos, they never seem to go away so you still have to keep buying bug spray.
Why are we killing our allies?
Yeh, that has always been Pentagon secret…!