Leader of Syrian al-Qaida wing says aiming to take Damascus

The leader of al-Qaida’s Syria wing Nusra Front said his group was aiming to capture Damascus and the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad would happen quickly.

 

Nusra Front has made gains in northwestern Syria alongside other insurgents in recent weeks, seizing the city of Idlib in March and the town of Jisr al-Shughour town last month, bringing them closer to the government-held coastline.

 

It is the most powerful faction in Syria opposing both Assad and Islamic State, an offshoot of al-Qaida. Both have been hit by US-led air strikes.

 

“We will continue our focus on Damascus and on toppling this regime,” Abu Mohamad al-Golani told news channel Al Jazeera in a rare interview aired on Wednesday. “I assure you, Assad’s fall won’t take a long time.”

 

Read More: Leader of Syrian al-Qaida wing says aiming to take Damascus – Middle East – Jerusalem Post