Syria’s Rebels, Regime Allies Gear Up for Fight

Rebel groups in Syria are gearing up for a longer, bloodier battle to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad because of Russian airstrikes that they say have been designed to drive them back. 

For the second day in a row, fighters aligned with the Free Syrian Army claimed Russian airstrikes targeted their positions in Homs, al-Za’farana and Idlib, as well as those of other rebel groups.

Still, they say they will not be deterred.

Other rebel groups claim they are already taking the fight directly to the “Russian infidels.”

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Katibat al Tawhid wal Jihad, which has pledged allegiance to the al-Nusra Front, an al-Qaida affiliate, said it was responsible for a September 29 attack on Russian forces at the Hamim military airbase in Latakia province, The Long War Journal reported.

“KTJ's [Katibat al Tawhid wal Jihad] claimed strike in Latakia is almost certainly just the first of more to come,” said Senior Editor Thomas Joscelyn. “Al-Nusra and its allies, including Chechen jihadists, have a presence in parts of Latakia already, so they will be attacking.”

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