Islamist militants said to be in the northwestern Syrian province of Latakia appeared to repeat threats against Russian forces and the Syrian army on Wednesday (December 2) in a video posted on a social media site.
A group of militants stood for the camera to threaten Russian forces whose intervention in Syria has appeared to alter the dynamics of the conflict on the ground and given a boost to forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
“From here, the mountains of the coast, the land of heroes, from these mountains, in which thousands of muslims sacrificed their life for this country and religion. From here, the land of our forefathers, the companions of the prophet, we say to every enemy, we are here defending our religion and honour, defending our money and land, we the Muslims are not scared of dying in God’s name. From here, these mountains, we send a message to Hmeimim airport, to tell them that Muslims are still here in the coast, from here we will fire this, rocket. [Reads a prayer]. We have good news to Muslims, the injured, the suffering, your sons are still here fighting in God’s name. From here we will respond to Russia. From here we say to (Syrian President) Bashar (al-Assad) and (Russian President Vladimir) Putin that we are not afraid of your planes, we are not afraid of your forces or tanks. You will see that what is to come is worse, and God willing you will all be out of our land,” said the militant.
Late on Wednesday (December 2) Britain’s parliament voted to launch bombing raids against Islamic State in Syria, supporting Prime Minister David Cameron’s case that the country needs to help destroy militants who are “plotting to kill us”.
After more than 10 hours of tense debate, lawmakers voted in favour of air strikes, by 397 to 223. British Tornado GR4 bombers could leave an air base in Cyprus within hours to launch the country’s latest military action in the Middle East.
France and the United States are already bombing Islamist militants in Syria, while Russia has bombed mainly other rebels, according to conflict monitors and Western officials, in an intervention launched on Sept. 30 to bolster its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The West says Assad must go. (Reuters)
