Turkish-, American-, and Israeli-backed HTS terrorists (“rebels” in the parlance of the west) have besieged Aleppo in northern Syria, prompting this photo blog. Background note on HTS, which is derived from al-Qaiʾda, along with an observation on who benefits (cui bono?) from this offensive, are included.
Background
U.S. and Israel have backed al-Qaiʾda and its Syrian affiliate, Jabhat al-Nusra (“Front for the Conquest of the Levant”), for many years. CIA’s Operation Timber Sycamore (The New York Times article is behind a paywall) gave $1 billion in U.S. taxpayer funds for “moderate” anti-Assad “rebels.”
Jake Sullivan, Biden’s National Security Advisor, wrote in an email (12 Feb 2012) to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, then his boss at the State Dept.: “AQ [al-Qaiʾda] is on our side in Syria.”
Ephraim Halevy, former director of Mossad (1998–2002), confirmed during an interview with Mehdi Hassan, that Israel supplies material assistance to al-Qaiʾda.
Hayʾat a Tahir al-Shams (HTS; “Organization for the Liberation of the Levant”) is led by the Saudi, Abu Mohammad al-Julani (b. Riyadh, 1982), who called himself the “Emir” of Jabhat al-Nusra. HTS, which evolved from Jabhat al-Nusra (and therefor al-Qaiʾda), is backed by Turkey, but has material military and financial support from U.S. and Israel.
Given CIA’s long history of support for terrorists, the White House’s statement that “the United States has nothing to do with this offensive [by HTS terrorists], which is led by Hayʾat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a designated terrorist organization,” has been dismissed by skeptics.
Cui bono?
Israel was defeated by Hizballah and sought a ceasefire. Hamas is alive in Gaza. The HTS offensive benefits Israel by putting pressure on Iran, Syria, Russia, and the Axis of Resistance. So-called Syrian rebels, of course, support Israel: “We congratulate the powerful state of Israel and its people on its anniversary of independence, and we hope that next year we can participate in the joy of the grand occasion in Israel’s embassy in Damascus” (May 2015).
Travels in Aleppo
I will upload additional photos of my travels around Aleppo in a follow-up post. These include the site where the fifth-century ascetic, St. Simeon Stylites (d. 459 AD), spent 36 years on top of a pillar; and the Cities of the Dead (or Dead Cities; Forgotten Cities).
Aleppo is the second most important city in Syria. It was an ancient trade hub. Below are photos of the famous citadel and views of Aleppo from atop the citadel.
Perspectives 
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