Nusra Front Chief Vows to Defeat Hizbullah

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Al-Qaida-affiliate al-Nusra Front chief vowed in a wide-randing televised interview late Wednesday to defeat Hizbullah in al-Qalamoun.

Without showing his face, Abu Mohamed al-Jolani promised defeat for Hizbullah, which has significantly bolstered the Bashar Assad regime, in the mountainous border region between Syria and Lebanon.

"Hizbullah knew the ugliness of the Syrian regime. It knew its fate was directly linked to Bashar's fate," Jolani warned.

"Qalamoun will be an important gateway for Damascus when the battle for the capital begins," he added.

"As soon as Bashar is defeated, it will be the end for Hizbullah."

Much like his interview in 2013, the Nusra chief said the end of the Assad regime was near.

"I assure you, the fall of Bashar is not far away," he said. "I do not want to project much optimism, but there are very positive signs."

He rejected a political end to the conflict, saying that any political agreement "reached in the halls of Washington... would cost the blood of the Syrian people."

Jolani also firmly denied receiving any state funding, saying that Nusra was financed by its own "businesses activities" and contributions from individual donors.

He stressed that the group would not use Syria as a launching pad for attacks on the West.

Jolani said his group, Al-Nusra Front, would protect Syrian minorities that renounced the regime.

The interview was Jolani's second with Qatari-owned Al-Jazeera TV since a similar appearance in 2013. The interviewer, Ahmad Mansur, said it was broadcast "from liberated lands in Syria."

All that could be seen of Jolani was a black shawl, a plaid shirt, and gesturing hands.

"The instructions that we have are not to use al-Sham as a base to launch attacks on the West or Europe, so as not to muddy the current war," Jolani said.

"Our mission in Syria is the downfall of the regime, its symbols, and its allies, like Hizbullah," Jolani said, referring to the powerful Shiite movement fighting alongside the Bashar Assad regime.

But if the United States kept attacking them, he said, "all options are open. Anyone has the right to self-defense."

Jolani also denied the existence of the "Khorasan group," which the U.S. had said was an offshoot of al-Qaida that was plotting attacks against the U.S..

Nevertheless, he lambasted the U.S. for its air raids against Al-Nusra in Syria and accused it of coordinating with the Assad regime on the use of air space.

"America is propping up the regime," Jolani charged, leaning forward in an ornate golden-crusted chair.

- 'We will protect them' -

Al-Nusra and its extremist rival the Islamic State group have been designated as terrorist organisations by the U.S. since the end of 2012.

Since September, a U.S.-led international coalition has been raiding jihadist positions in Syria, although most strikes have targeted IS.

In recent months, Al-Nusra has led a rebel coalition in a series of key victories in Syria's northwest Idlib, including the provincial capital and a large military base.

The gains have opened the road for a potential jihadist advance on Latakia and Tartus, coastal provinces that are home to Syrian minorities including Christians and Alawites, the offshoot of Shiite Islam to which the Assad clan belongs.

Extremist groups in Syria, including Al-Nusra and IS, have been accused of targeting these minority communities.

But Al-Nusra's chief seemed to try to play down those fears, saying his group "only fights those who fight us."

"If the Alawites leave their religion and leave Bashar al-Assad, we will protect them," Jolani said.

He said Christians living under the rule of Al-Nusra were living in peace, and that in a future state ruled by Islamic law, the financially capable would pay "jizya," or tax reserved for non-Muslims.

Wednesday's interview was the first in a two-part series, to be continued next week.

Comments 38
Thumb lebanon_first 28 May 2015, 08:24

The up and coming terrorist organization wants to defeat the established terrorist organization

Missing humble 28 May 2015, 10:05

Ebola brought the disease inside Lebanon.

Missing helicopter 28 May 2015, 18:20

As long as they defeat them in Syria. They are not welcome in Lebanon in any form or under any circumstance. Having them defeat HA in Lebanon is like jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

Thumb geha 28 May 2015, 08:39

as long as all the terrorists are killing each other, then Lebanon is becoming safer.

Thumb Mystic 28 May 2015, 09:33

Desperate takfiris says the same as our March 14 alliance, "fall of Assad is near" yet they have been saying this sentence for years now.

The Resistance already knew the takfiris plan from day one, if Assad falled Lebanon would be next. Yet people wonder why the Resistance intervened in Syria.

Missing rami 28 May 2015, 09:49

Ya Miss Teeq, the fall of Assad is indeed getting closer day by day. Presently, Syria is divided in two, 50% is controlled by Al Nusra & co, and the other 50% are also split in two where 25% are under the rebels and the remainder is controlled by Assad forces. Syria will be partitioned similarly to what happened in Yugoslavia. Don't ask ask me for proves on that, just do your proper research instead of trolling like a brainded idiot on this site. Assad is gone, could be tomorrow or in a year, just swallow it. As to our dear Resistance, big question mark.

Missing humble 28 May 2015, 10:04

Resistance? Which reistance ?

Thumb Mystic 28 May 2015, 10:39

Syrian Government are still in control of the 65% population in the country. Kerry and the others planned for Assad fall since 2011, did it happen? This war will probaly drag on for years to come.

Thumb Mystic 28 May 2015, 12:17

Your hope is for Assad for and that is not an option. There can't be negotiations with takfiris, neither will they. Remember Lebanons war lasted for 15 years, this might be less or longer, time will tell.

Thumb Mystic 28 May 2015, 12:18

Your hope is for Assads fall, and you think we will all just let your takfiris win without a fight, no chance.

Missing peace 28 May 2015, 13:17

good thing hezbi lovers are dreamers... they cannot see the obvious....

Thumb freedomarch 28 May 2015, 14:05

80 percent of these people hate ASSad.

Thumb Mystic 28 May 2015, 15:28

If that was true, then he would've been gone a long time ago.

Missing peace 28 May 2015, 15:48

sure miss tic... in a dictatorship if you disagree with the dictator you can voice it loud and clear... pityful naive idiot you are....

Missing maroun 28 May 2015, 11:21

Mystic what do you call losing two third of you country ..a dive victory?
Assad is going sooner rather then later..so is your Hizb with him

Missing maroun 28 May 2015, 11:32

divine*

Thumb freedomarch 28 May 2015, 14:07

Maroon, it should be called a "Dive" victory, they won, hell. Deep bellow.

Default-user-icon Vick (Guest) 28 May 2015, 12:39

Not true Mystic ,if the Hizb did not inter fight with syrian regime,and the syrian regime falls worst case senario was to spot colaborating with the new regime as officialy the dame way that they don't deal with Israel.

Thumb Mystic 28 May 2015, 12:52

Didn't you read what the Nusra takfiris said? After Assad they would finish the Resistance, you expect us all to sit idly by while being invaded? That's why they started this war to begin with, not just to remove Assad but finish all the Resistance.

Missing mohammad_ca 28 May 2015, 14:05

He said they would find is off hizbollaat because it entered the fight against them they never said they would finish off Lebanon. As for your claim that they entered the war to end the resistance? You're a complete idiot, hizbollat ended the war to end the revolution and support ASSad and now they will pay the price.

Thumb Mystic 28 May 2015, 15:29

All I can answer to that mohammed, is "Bring it on".

Missing peace 28 May 2015, 15:51

" you expect us all to sit idly by while being invaded?" LOL in the article it not question of invasion like your propaganda makes you say : it is said:
"Al-Qaida-affiliate al-Nusra Front chief vowed in a wide-randing televised interview late Wednesday to defeat Hizbullah in al-Qalamoun."

if they "invade" us as you are scared shit about it , then we have the army to repel them... we do not need you iranians....

Thumb Mystic 28 May 2015, 15:55

Yes the Lebanese should be scared about it. That is my point. The army would be overrun in a matter of days. That is the reason we need the resistance to hold them back.

Not everyone in Lebanon welcomes death as the Resistance does. Most people would flee, not all of us see that as an option me included, stand our ground or die trying.

Missing Je_suis@libonase 28 May 2015, 13:37

There is no lebanon thanks to your Hizbollah your Hizbollah has destroyed all that was good about lebanon you support one of humanities worst regimes in Iran and Syria and stop giving this crap about resistance go to hell you and your resistance you have brought these takfiris to lebanon may you and them perish forever

Thumb freedomarch 28 May 2015, 14:11

AMEN, premier Dios. Insgallah, By God's will, help me with more here guyes, ..

Thumb Mystic 28 May 2015, 09:37

Wishful thinking gabby, we all know Nusra and Israel wishes this, so thank you for confirming that.

Missing humble 28 May 2015, 10:06

Ebola made te error. But it is always the fault of others !!!

Missing humble 28 May 2015, 10:18

Ebola, ISIS, nusra, da3esh, boko haram, Butcher, Iran, and alike impersonate evil. Can you convince evil to become good?

Missing humble 28 May 2015, 10:03

Ebola brought the disease inside Lebanon.

Missing humble 28 May 2015, 10:18

Ebola, ISIS, nusra, da3esh, boko haram, Butcher, Iran, and alike impersonate evil. Can you convince evil to become good?

Thumb -phoenix1 28 May 2015, 13:27

Now, I am totally against the meddling of Hezbollah in Syria, I am also against it carrying weapons in Lebanon, but in all honesty I am also totally and without any reserves against anything called Islamic radicalism of any kind, be it IS, ISIS, Al Nusra, Al Qaeda, Taliban, these are all the worst evil on earth. In the holy books it's written, evil shall become strong, yet will be defeated. I wish all these Takfiris and I mean all of them, the most bitter end, an end without precedent right up to the last one of them. I also wish for Hezbollah to end its tunnel vision, its double standards, its fabrications and deceits and to save us all any further crazy adventures. Our strength as Lebanese is our UNITY. Hezbollah is working against this unity, the earlier it wakes up, the better.

Thumb khallas_ba2a 28 May 2015, 14:33

Pheonix: Hizb are fully awake, they have a long-term plan while others only plan short term (money for their pockets). Bit by bit they are taking over the country, just enough for the citizens not to cry foul at each step but then in the future when its too late, thats when lebanese will slap their own foreheads in regret. I do hope I am wrong but this is what i feel with the events following the year 2000. At the current stage isnt hizb almost mirroring Irans way of rule? There is a gov. that discusses things but the final say is to...?

Thumb freedomarch 28 May 2015, 14:01

50-150 billions expected from nuclear deal.

Missing helicopter 28 May 2015, 18:26

The reason for lebnan's post was not to tally how many behadings are carried out in Iran and in KSA. His post was to demonstrate that Iran is just as intolerant of religious minorities just as KSA is. THis is only one example of thousands more.

Missing peace 28 May 2015, 18:30

fans? in your depressed head it seems.... it is just what you want to see not the reality... once again being against hezbollah does not equate with being a "fan" of other terrorists...

anyway, be happy :)

Missing peace 28 May 2015, 18:49

why criticize only saudi arabia for its executions? iran does the very same, they are both in the top 5 countries in the world!

so jimbeam, at least criticize iran too... LOL see where your double standards are? praise iran but demonize saudi when both countries are the same ! LOL

Thumb Mrowwe 28 May 2015, 20:30

Cult of the devil? Muslims pay zakah in Islam and non-Muslims pay jizyah, whats unfair about that? Muslims in the west pay taxes. Welfare? Care to provide staistics that Muslms in the west live of welfare while christians don't?

Your constant attacks on Muslims proove that you have hatred in you. I advice you to visit www.answering-christianity.com By the way, almasi7 3alayi alsalam was a Muslim (mushlam) and i invite you to monotheism, to worship none but Allah, to ascribe no partner to him, to believe in all his books and messengers from Adam to Muhammad, alayom alsalam and to follow the Quran,the last testament and to follow Prophet Muhammad, sallalahu alayi wasallam and to never kill innocent people or bring harm to mankind and to not hurt the unharmful animals.

Thumb Mrowwe 28 May 2015, 20:35

Interesting that we don't see shiites defend Islam when hateful people insult this religion. You jump to defend "nasrallah", bashar and aoun but not the religion you claim to be part of? 7asbuna Allah wa ni3mal wakeel.