The main Islamist rebel groups in Aleppo, a key front line in Syria’s civil war, yesterday rejected the newly formed opposition bloc, saying they want an Islamic state, as clashes raged countrywide.
“We, the fighting squads of Aleppo city and province, unanimously reject the conspiratorial project called the National Coalition and announce our consensus to establish an Islamic state” in Syria, a spokesman announced in an internet video.
“We reject any external coalitions or councils imposed on us at home from any party whatsoever,” he said.
The unidentified speaker sat at the head of a long conference table with at least 30 other men and a black Islamist flag on the wall. He listed 14 armed groups as signatories to the statement, including the Al-Nusra Front, Ahrar al-Sham and Liwa al-Tawhid. The Ahrar al-Sham group rejected the proclamation on its official web page, however, saying that its leadership did not endorse the statement.
The Al-Nusra Front, which has become a formidable fighting force, has claimed the majority of suicide bombing attacks in Syria’s deadly 20-month-old conflict. After the statement another man held up a Koran, saying forcefully to the camera: “Make this your Constitution.”
Abdel Jabbar al-Okaidi, the head of the main rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA) in the embattled Aleppo, said the statement did not represent the opinion of all rebel groups in the province.
“These groups represent a number of military factions on the ground and reflect their position, but not all military forces in Aleppo agree with this,” the defected former army colonel said by phone.
The new National Coalition aims to present a united front to the international community and is lobbying for weapons aid to help topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
On the ground, fighting flared along the Turkish border after rebels took control of a large army base in Aleppo province that had been besieged for weeks.
Meanwhile, Italy has recognised the newly formed opposition National Coalition as “legitimate representatives” of the Syrian people, Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti told reporters in Doha yesterday.
“We have recognised the coalition that brings together the various opposition groups as legitimate representatives of the Syrian people,” Monti said.