https://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2012/12/30/how-syrias-civil-war-breathed-new-life-into-global-jihad/feed/HotAir is the leading conservative blog for breaking news and commentary covering the Biden administration, politics, media, culture, and current elections.en-usTue, 09 Jun 2026 01:10:42 -0400<![CDATA[Within the complex web of armed civilians, defected soldiers, paramilitary units and militias, the dynamic of growing numbers of foreign militants joining the fight is providing further confusion and danger as they disperse within the different groups present, including the Free Syrian Army, Liwa al-Islam, Katibat al-Ansar, Ahrar al-Sham, and most concerningly Jabhat al-Nusra, which has close links with al-Qa&#8217;ida in Iraq. Accurate estimates of the number of foreign fighters in the country are difficult to come by but there are somewhere between 1500 and 2500. Of course, not all of these are battle-hardened warriors; many have travelled to the region to experience the &#8220;thrill&#8221; of a war zone, provide assistance in non-combat roles or want to help because of family ties to the region. But many make the trek with the goal of helping to overthrow the Assad regime.]]>Sun, 30 Dec 2012 17:20:36 -0500<![CDATA[Allahpundit]]>https://hotair.com/headlines/2012/12/30/how-syrias-civil-war-breathed-new-life-into-global-jihad-n98745