Latest news with #Idlib
The Independent
5 days ago
- The Independent
Man who went to Syria guilty of joining al Qaida-linked group
A man has been found guilty of travelling to Syria to fight with a terrorist group linked to al Qaida for jihad. Isa Giga, 32, resigned from his job as a technical support consultant job at a technology firm and bought a business class return flight to Turkey before crossing into wartorn Syria in August 2015. Despite pleas from his family, Giga did not return to the UK for nine years and was arrested upon his arrival on a flight from Turkey last May. Following a trial at the Old Bailey, he was found guilty of preparation of terrorist acts between August 31 2015 and August 31 2016 by travelling to Syria to fight with the Jaysh Al Fath groups. The court heard how Giga had left the home he shared with his parents and sister in Hounslow, west London, in August 2015 and informed them he had gone to Syria for jihad. On September 11 2015 – the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks in the United States – he told his sister: 'I have come here to fight for jihad. I'm based in Idlib province and I fight for Jaysh al Fath which is the rebel coalition which includes the Free Syrian Army up to al Qaida-linked groups. 'I have come here to fight against (Bashar) Assad and also to fight against Isis. I can't sit at home when fellow Muslims are in need and their religion is in danger.' His father responded: 'Please don't do anything that will break my or your mother's or family's heart, stay within the bounds of true Islam and humanity, stay away from extremism and follow the Sunnah.' But in a further message to his sister, Giga said he had finished his training and had been given the 'opportunity to fight on the front line in the near future'. He told her: 'I hope more than anything to gain martyrdom while fighting against Isis or against the Assad regime but I fear death as much as anyone else so I am in need of your duas (prayers).' The court heard that Giga's father did everything he could to try to convince his son to return home and travelled to Reyhanli, a small Turkish town close to the Syrian border. In a letter to Giga from the border, he wrote: 'I have promısed your mum that somehow I will try my best to convince you to come out of there, and we will settle down anywhere in this world where you feel comfortable and happy… 'Can you for one minute imagine what the rest of her life will be like if something was to happen to you? Isa, her life wıll be destroyed and so will all of ours. 'It is on that basis I beg you to stay safe and come out of there immediately. And stay away from the front line because the Russians are using all kınds of firepower.' However, Giga appeared to be set on 'martyrdom', the court heard. Then in December 2015, Giga told his sister that he planned on doing charity work – although the organisation concerned had no record of it – and by August 2016 contact with his family petered out. Eight years later, Giga was issued an emergency passport by the British Consulate in Istanbul. Police were waiting when Giga arrived at Heathrow Airport on a Turkish Airlines flight on May 23 2024. Following his arrest, Giga made no comment in police interviews but in a prepared statement denied he had travelled to Syria to fight or join any groups. He claimed he had lied to his family about doing charity work, training, fighting and joining groups because he thought they would struggle to understand the idea of going there simply to live. Giving evidence in his Old Bailey trial, Giga maintained that he had gone to Syria only to live in an Islamic state. A jury deliberated for 10 hours and 26 minutes to reject his version of events and find him guilty by a majority of 11 to one. Judge Mark Lucraft KC ordered a report and adjourned sentencing to October 17. Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, said: 'We have been clear for some time now that anyone returning to the UK suspected of being involved in any terrorist-related activity overseas will be thoroughly investigated. 'We work very closely with other partners and agencies here in the UK and overseas in order to do this and help keep the public safe. 'As this case shows, we will always arrest those who return to the UK after fighting for a terrorist group, no matter how long it has been since they left the country.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Man who went to Syria guilty of joining al Qaida-linked group
A man has been found guilty of travelling to Syria to fight with a terrorist group linked to al Qaida for jihad. Isa Giga, 32, resigned from his job as a technical support consultant job at a technology firm and bought a business class return flight to Turkey before crossing into wartorn Syria in August 2015. Despite pleas from his family, Giga did not return to the UK for nine years and was arrested upon his arrival on a flight from Turkey last May. Following a trial at the Old Bailey, he was found guilty of preparation of terrorist acts between August 31 2015 and August 31 2016 by travelling to Syria to fight with the Jaysh Al Fath groups. The court heard how Giga had left the home he shared with his parents and sister in Hounslow, west London, in August 2015 and informed them he had gone to Syria for jihad. On September 11 2015 – the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks in the United States – he told his sister: 'I have come here to fight for jihad. I'm based in Idlib province and I fight for Jaysh al Fath which is the rebel coalition which includes the Free Syrian Army up to al Qaida-linked groups. 'I have come here to fight against (Bashar) Assad and also to fight against Isis. I can't sit at home when fellow Muslims are in need and their religion is in danger.' His father responded: 'Please don't do anything that will break my or your mother's or family's heart, stay within the bounds of true Islam and humanity, stay away from extremism and follow the Sunnah.' But in a further message to his sister, Giga said he had finished his training and had been given the 'opportunity to fight on the front line in the near future'. He told her: 'I hope more than anything to gain martyrdom while fighting against Isis or against the Assad regime but I fear death as much as anyone else so I am in need of your duas (prayers).' The court heard that Giga's father did everything he could to try to convince his son to return home and travelled to Reyhanli, a small Turkish town close to the Syrian border. In a letter to Giga from the border, he wrote: 'I have promısed your mum that somehow I will try my best to convince you to come out of there, and we will settle down anywhere in this world where you feel comfortable and happy… 'Can you for one minute imagine what the rest of her life will be like if something was to happen to you? Isa, her life wıll be destroyed and so will all of ours. 'It is on that basis I beg you to stay safe and come out of there immediately. And stay away from the front line because the Russians are using all kınds of firepower.' However, Giga appeared to be set on 'martyrdom', the court heard. Then in December 2015, Giga told his sister that he planned on doing charity work – although the organisation concerned had no record of it – and by August 2016 contact with his family petered out. Eight years later, Giga was issued an emergency passport by the British Consulate in Istanbul. Police were waiting when Giga arrived at Heathrow Airport on a Turkish Airlines flight on May 23 2024. Following his arrest, Giga made no comment in police interviews but in a prepared statement denied he had travelled to Syria to fight or join any groups. He claimed he had lied to his family about doing charity work, training, fighting and joining groups because he thought they would struggle to understand the idea of going there simply to live. Giving evidence in his Old Bailey trial, Giga maintained that he had gone to Syria only to live in an Islamic state. A jury deliberated for 10 hours and 26 minutes to reject his version of events and find him guilty by a majority of 11 to one. Judge Mark Lucraft KC ordered a report and adjourned sentencing to October 17.
France 24
08-07-2025
- Politics
- France 24
US to revoke 'terrorist' designation for Syria's Al Qaeda-linked HTS
The United States on Monday announced it was revoking its "foreign terrorist organization" designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group once linked to Al-Qaeda that toppled Syria 's government in December. "In line with President Donald Trump 's May 13 promise to deliver sanctions relief to Syria, I am announcing my intent to revoke the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation of al-Nusrah Front, also known as Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)," said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement. An armed coalition led by HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa overthrew then-Syrian president Bashar al-Assad last year, ending half a century of brutal rule by the latter's family. Sharaa took over as interim president, a move that has been cautiously welcomed in Washington, Europe and elsewhere, with historic foe Israel seeking to build ties with the new government. Washington's move will formally take effect on Tuesday, and comes after US President Trump last week formally dismantled his country's sanctions against Syria. "Tomorrow's action follows the announced dissolution of HTS and the Syrian government's commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms," said Rubio. HTS was earlier known as Al-Nusra Front, and was formerly the branch of Al-Qaeda in Syria, but it broke ties with the jihadist group in 2016 and sought to soften its image. As of 2017, HTS claimed control of swaths of the province of Idlib, in Syria's northwest, and went on to develop a civil administration in the area, amid accusations of brutal abuses against those who dared dissent. In January, after overthrowing Assad's regime, the new authorities announced the dissolution of all armed factions, with some groups including HTS being integrated into bodies such as the country's new police force. 43:03 Trump had lifted most sanctions against Syria in May, responding to appeals from Saudi Arabia and Turkey to help reintegrate the war-battered country into the global economy. The United States had already removed a bounty on Sharaa's head after he came to power. International reengagement On Friday, Syria said it was willing to cooperate with the United States to reimplement a 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel. The United States and European countries have moved steadily to reengage with Syria since Sharaa took over as interim president, with Britain reestablishing diplomatic ties on Saturday after more than a decade. Britain has also lifted sanctions on Syria's interior and defense ministries, as well as on various media groups, intelligence agencies and some sectors of the economy. The Assad regime was toppled after more than 13 years of civil war by a rebel offensive led by Sharaa. The rebellion was sparked in 2011 by protests against the Assads' brutal rule that were part of the Arab Spring movement. The growing international backing comes as Syria's new leaders attempt to rebuild the country and reboot its moribund economy, both ravaged by the conflict and crippling sanctions. From wanted jihadist to statesman embraced by world leaders, interim president Sharaa has undergone a stunning transformation in just six months. He now leads a government through a five-year transitional period under a temporary constitution that experts and rights groups say concentrates power in his hands.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US revoking 'terrorist' designation for Syria's HTS
The United States on Monday announced it was revoking its "foreign terrorist organization" designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group once linked to Al-Qaeda that toppled Syria's government in December. "In line with President (Donald) Trump's May 13 promise to deliver sanctions relief to Syria, I am announcing my intent to revoke the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation of al-Nusrah Front, also known as Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)," said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement. An armed coalition led by HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa overthrew then-Syrian president Bashar al-Assad last year, ending half a century of brutal rule by the latter's family. Sharaa took over as interim president, a move that has been cautiously welcomed in Washington, Europe and elsewhere, with historic foe Israel seeking to build ties with the new government. Washington's move will formally take effect on Tuesday, and comes after US President Trump last week formally dismantled his country's sanctions against Syria. "Tomorrow's action follows the announced dissolution of HTS and the Syrian government's commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms," said Rubio. HTS was earlier known as Al-Nusra Front, and was formerly the branch of Al-Qaeda in Syria, but it broke ties with the jihadist group in 2016 and sought to soften its image. As of 2017, HTS claimed control of swaths of the province of Idlib, in Syria's northwest, and went on to develop a civil administration in the area, amid accusations of brutal abuses against those who dared dissent. In January, after overthrowing Assad's regime, the new authorities announced the dissolution of all armed factions, with some groups including HTS being integrated into bodies such as the country's new police force. Trump had lifted most sanctions against Syria in May, responding to appeals from Saudi Arabia and Turkey to help reintegrate the war-battered country into the global economy. The United States had already removed a bounty on Sharaa's head after he came to power. - International reengagement - On Friday, Syria said it was willing to cooperate with the United States to reimplement a 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel. The United States and European countries have moved steadily to reengage with Syria since Sharaa took over as interim president, with Britain reestablishing diplomatic ties on Saturday after more than a decade. Britain has also lifted sanctions on Syria's interior and defense ministries, as well as on various media groups, intelligence agencies and some sectors of the economy. The Assad regime was toppled after more than 13 years of civil war by a rebel offensive led by Sharaa. The rebellion was sparked in 2011 by protests against the Assads' brutal rule that were part of the Arab Spring movement. The growing international backing comes as Syria's new leaders attempt to rebuild the country and reboot its moribund economy, both ravaged by the conflict and crippling sanctions. From wanted jihadist to statesman embraced by world leaders, interim president Sharaa has undergone a stunning transformation in just six months. He now leads a government through a five-year transitional period under a temporary constitution that experts and rights groups say concentrates power in his hands. lb-aha/
France 24
07-07-2025
- Politics
- France 24
US revoking 'terrorist' designation for Syria's HTS
"In consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury, I hereby revoke the designation of al-Nusrah Front, also known as Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (and other aliases) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization," said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a memo. An armed coalition led by HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa overthrew then-Syrian president Bashar al-Assad last year, ending half a century of brutal rule by the latter's family. Sharaa took over as interim president, a move that has been cautiously welcomed in Washington, Europe and elsewhere, with historic foe Israel seeking to build ties with the new government. Washington's move will formally take effect on Tuesday, and comes after US President Donald Trump last week formally dismantled his country's sanctions against Syria. Trump had lifted most sanctions against Syria in May, responding to appeals from Saudi Arabia and Turkey to help reintegrate the war-battered country into the global economy. The United States had already removed a bounty on Sharaa's head after he came to power. HTS was earlier known as Al-Nusra Front, and was formerly the branch of Al-Qaeda in Syria, but it broke ties with the jihadist group in 2016 and sought to soften its image. As of 2017, HTS claimed control of swaths of the province of Idlib, in Syria's northwest, and went on to develop a civil administration in the area, amid accusations of brutal abuses against those who dared dissent. In January, after overthrowing Assad's regime, the new authorities announced the dissolution of all armed factions, with some groups including HTS being integrated into bodies such as the country's new police force. - International reengagement - On Friday, Syria said it was willing to cooperate with the United States to reimplement a 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel. The United States and European countries have moved steadily to reengage with Syria since Sharaa took over as interim president, with Britain reestablishing diplomatic ties on Saturday after more than a decade. Britain has also lifted sanctions on Syria's interior and defense ministries, as well as on various media groups, intelligence agencies and some sectors of the economy. The Assad regime was toppled after more than 13 years of civil war by a rebel offensive led by Sharaa. The rebellion was sparked in 2011 by protests against the Assads' brutal rule that were part of the Arab Spring movement. The growing international backing comes as Syria's new leaders attempt to rebuild the country and reboot its moribund economy, both ravaged by the conflict and crippling sanctions. From wanted jihadist to statesman embraced by world leaders, interim president Sharaa has undergone a stunning transformation in just six months. He now leads a government through a five-year transitional period under a temporary constitution that experts and rights groups say concentrates power in his hands.
