Special to WorldTribune.com

NICOSIA — Islamist militias have broken away from a Western-sponsored rebel coalition in Syria.

Thirteen Islamist militias announced they would not cooperate with the Western-sponsored Syrian National Coalition. The militias said they did not recognize the authority of the new coalition, led by Ahmed Toumeh and financed by Saudi Arabia.

“These forces feel that all groups formed abroad without returning to the country do not represent them,” the statement by the Islamist militias said. “So, the forces will not recognize them.”

In a video statement by Abdul Aziz Salameh, the rebels said they would work only with groups with a combat presence in Syria. The militias called for another rebel leadership that would operate under Islamist doctrine.

“Therefore the National Coalition and its supposed government led by Ahmed Toumeh do not represent them and will not be recognized,” Salmeh, commander of Tawhid Brigades, said. “These forces call on military and civilian forces to unite under a clear Islamic framework based on Sharia law, which should be the sole source of legislation.”

The statement, released on Sept. 24, appeared to end any hope that
Islamist militias, including those linked to Al Qaida, would cooperate with
the Western-backed Free Syrian Army. The statement was signed by the Al
Qaida-aligned Nusra Front for the Defense of the Levant, Tawhid Brigades,
Islam Brigade and Ahrar Al Sham.

Nusra’s rival, Islamic State of Iraq and Levant, did not join the
statement. In November 2012, Ahrar, Nusra and Tawhid signed a statement that
denounced SNC.

Opposition sources said Tawhid Brigade, Islam Brigade and Ahrar Al Sham
were regarded as the leading Islamist elements of the SNC strategy. But they
said these militias were increasingly dismayed by SNC directives that
significantly reduced support for Islamist fighters by mid-2013.

The Islamist militias asserted that they represent 50,000 fighters in
Syria. Analysts said the figure was closer to 30,000 rebels who rejected
Saudi Arabia and NATO allies.

“It represents the rebellion of a large part of the ‘mainstream FSA’
against its purported political leadership, and openly aligns these factions
with more hardline Islamist forces,” Aron Lund, a leading European analyst,
said.

  Ahmed Toumeh, Ahrar Al Sham, Free Syrian Army, Islamist militias break with pro-West Syrian National Coalition, Nusra Front, Tawhid Brigades