“The Syrian people call for arming the Free Army and do not call for joining al- Qaeda”
SOHR received a statement issued by al- Yarmouk Army in the Southern Area that “talk and mistrust by some people have been increased recently when we issued a statement about our refusal to deal with Jabhet al- Nusra. This statement has been issued because of actions committed by Jabhat al- Nusra generally and because of what happened in Nasib crossing particularly when Jabhat al- Nusra had entered the crossing by forces using our fighters’ preoccupation of combing the area the crossing, and because we were very mindful of not bloodshed a fitnah did not happen, in addition to when they had entered Daraa and arrested some fighters of al- Tawhid Brigade without a permission from the court, again because we were very mindful of not bloodshed another fitnah did not happen. We have not heard anyone condemning their actions and we have not hear anyone condemning them when they have threatened the free army of booby- trapped cars except few people.”
When al- Jolani issued a fatwa (the term for the legal opinion or learned interpretation that the Sheikhul Islam, a qualified jurist or mufti, can give on issues pertaining to the Islamic law) of apostasy of the Free Army and the National Coalition, knowing that we follow the Staff and the Syrian revolution and we do not follow any alleged Imarah or caliphate, we have not heard anyone charging them because they call the Syrians disbelievers but a few people. Is this the right? We do not to defame anyone but what is the Muslims’ benefit of declaring the link of al- Qaeda Organization,” the statement added.
“Was this declaration for the Muslims’ benefit or for the regime’s benefit? Does anyone say no becomes traitor? So why do we blame the regime for its oppression? Accusing people of being traitors and apostates is very easy nowadays, Allaho Akbar, what a slander! The Syrian people call for arming the Free Army and do not call for joining al- Qaeda, so are they traitors too? Is refusing al- Qaeda treason while calling the Staff and National coalition “Koffar” heroism and manhood? Are those who have brought the TOW Missiles, which have changed the balance of power on ground, in traitors while the one who has brought the International Coalition called Emir al- Muemenin, what is the matter with you, how is it that you judge? Why is any action for the sake of the Free Army considered a conspiracy while working for al- Qaeda heroism and manliness?, the statement continued.
“We will never compromise our revolution’s principles, and we will never allow for anyone to give us attestations of good behavior and being Muslims. The revolution is for Syrians, and the regime exists for those who want to fight it. It is unacceptable to wait others to give us attestations of good behavior. We have had enough defamation, curse, and mutual recrimination. The sources of support of the Free Army is known for all. We are fighting to return the free Syria for Syrians and we do not have any link with any external organizations. We say for those who sit in their houses safe and enjoying their lives stop theorizing, who are you to accuse the Free Army of being traitors?! The Free Army in the southern area is a title for victory, and we are going to conquer Damascus as Muslims without attestations from anyone bu Allah’s will. We do not exclude anyone and will never exclude any Syrian supported the revolution, and that all the factions that fight to liberate Syria are our brothers working together for liberation and construction,” the statement concluded.