Foreigners fighting with Syria's rebels

Head of the Syrian National Coalition Moaz al-Khatib rejected criticisms directed against the opposition for allowing foreign fighters to participate in battles in Syria. He responded: "How dare you request this from us when no one does anything against the Russians, Iranians and Hezbollah members fighting alongside the regime?"

In principle and time, Khatib is right. Even in wars, there are rules of engagement that must be imposed on both parties. Assad's forces have not respected any of these rules, so they cannot request the forces of the opposition – which is the weaker party – to commit to such regulations. Assad's forces use warplanes and heavy arms to shell towns and cities, attack hospitals and schools and use ambulance vehicles to transport gunmen. Practices became worse following defeats from which the governmental forces suffered. The regime forces began using chemical weapons and gases, an example of that is what happened yesterday in Damascus' suburb.

The uprising against Bashar al-Assad's regime took the form of popular protests for more than four months. We were expecting clashes ever since the protests started. Also, we were expecting that these clashes will be fiercer than all other clashes witnessed by Arab Spring revolutions, because we are aware of the nature of the military security regime in Syria. Dozens were killed during protests. People who attempted to take bodies from the street to bury them were also killed. We knew that if the confrontation prolongs, Syria will become an arena that attracts terrorist groups due to its historical symbolism and political attractiveness. Thus, we knew it will be difficult to control the situation in this case. We are now approaching this point. There are reports claiming there are around 15,000 foreign jihadi fighters, some of whom have a mentality that is close to al-Qaeda's and some who actually belong to the group. Perhaps the number is exaggerated. Despite this, it is certain that Syria became a magnet attracting fighters from across the world, especially that all of the regime is crumbling and especially that the omens of victory lure jihadis to go to the historical capital of the Umayyad Caliphate.

Wasted time

If those criticizing the Syrian opposition because it allows foreign fighters to fight along its side had a year and a half ago rushed to support the Syrian rebels, we would not have been in this complicated situation. Toppling Assad would have been easier than it is today in that case. There were no Russians and Iranians by the regime's side back then. The timing was convenient, a year and a half ago. The Arab Spring then justified interference against a suppressive regime like what happened in Libya and hence dictator Qaddafi was toppled.

Now, it is no longer possible to open a new front against the extremist foreigners who came from France, Germany, Britain, the U.S., Australia and Arab countries. The war is only between two camps. Assad and the rebels. Around 200,000 people are fighting that war. How can the rebels be told fight those who fight with you?!
The rebels will welcome every man and every piece of weapon without asking the man: “who are you with and why are you fighting?” The tragedy that has befallen upon them is so grave that it deprived them from the luxury of making choices. Around 100,000 dead and 5 million displaced are two justifications that impose accepting any help, even if it is the devil's. This is the opposition's logic that no one can argue with. After all, you cannot record traffic offenses in wars. And this is the worst war in the region and the most atrocious.

This article was first published in Asharq al-Awsat on March 28, 2013.
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Abdulrahman al-Rashed is the General Manager of Al Arabiya News Channel. A veteran and internationally acclaimed journalist, he is a former editor-in-chief of the London-based leading Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat, where he still regularly writes a political column. He has also served as the editor of Asharq al-Awsat’s sister publication, al-Majalla. Throughout his career, Rashed has interviewed several world leaders, with his articles garnering worldwide recognition, and he has successfully led Al Arabiya to the highly regarded, thriving and influential position it is in today.