Informed sources reported today, Saturday, that an arrest warrant was issued by the Iraqi judiciary against Ahmed Al-Sharaa (Al-Julani), the leader of the new Syrian administration, based on the confessions of defendants in terrorist cases.
The sources told Shafaq News, “Al-Sharaa was arrested while he was in Iraq, within the ranks of the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization (a terrorist organization banned in Russia and several countries) between 2007 and 2008 by American forces, before he was later released without interference.” From the Iraqi side.”
The sources explained that “the Iraqi judiciary did not issue any ruling against him during that period, but an arrest warrant was later issued based on statements from detainees involved in terrorist cases, but it has not resulted in a judicial ruling until now.”
In statements last Thursday to Western media, Al-Sharaa denied his participation in sectarian battles inside Iraq. He said, “He cut off his ties with the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda in 2016.”
Al-Sharaa added that he is currently working for what he described as “the highest Syrian interests” and is not linked to any organizations or external parties.
Yesterday, Friday, US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf announced, from the Syrian capital, Damascus, the cancellation of the financial reward ($10 million) allocated to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of Al-Sharaa, which reflects a change in the American position towards him after recent events.
In turn, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham has been providing Ankara with intelligence information about ISIS and al-Qaeda fighters for several years.
Speaking about the possibility of removing Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham from the Turkish list of terrorist organizations, Fidan indicated that Ankara adheres to UN Security Council resolutions.
“For many years, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham has provided us with intelligence information about groups linked to ISIS and Al-Qaeda,” Fidan said in an interview with French television.
According to him, Ankara has information that Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham “has not witnessed any terrorist activities for ten years,” which was confirmed, among other things, by Western intelligence.
He pointed out that Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham published information, including information about high-level targets.
The minister also confirmed that he intends to visit Damascus and meet with the new Syrian authorities.
Last updated: December 21, 2024 – 17:49
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