Report Says Nearly Half of Syrian Rebels Are Jihadists

Luke 21:7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?” Luke 21:11 "There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and epidemics in many lands, and there will be terrifying things (that which strikes terror), and great miraculous signs in the heavens."

A study by a defense consultant is showing that up to 45,000 of the 100,000 estimated fighters in the Syrian insurgency are either hardline Islamists or with groups showing similar sentiments.

The report also says an additional 30,000 fighters belong to moderate groups that have an Islamic nature to their group leaving only a very small portion of the rebels as having purely secular motives for fighting the Assad regime.

“The insurgency is now dominated by groups which have at least an Islamist viewpoint on the conflict. The idea that it is mostly secular groups leading the opposition is just not borne out,” Charles Lister, author of the report, told the Daily Telegraph.

The report shows that the Islamist groups have taken over most of the oil, gas and grain operations in the northern part of the country which is allowing them to win the hearts of the people in the region by providing food for the locals. They have also taken over schools throughout the region and are teaching jihadist anthems to the only male students.

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