Maarouf told The Independent that his group, the so-called Syrian Revolutionary Front (SRF), carries out joint operations with Al-Nusra Front – the official Al-Qaeda branch in Syria.
“It’s clear that I’m not fighting against Al-Qaeda. This is a problem outside of Syria’s border, so it’s not our problem. I don’t have a problem with anyone who fights against the regime inside Syria,” Maarouf said to the media outlet.
The SRF leader even provided examples of the ways his group was helping Al-Qaeda.
“If the people who support us tell us to send weapons to another group, we send them. They asked us a month ago to send weapons to Yabroud so we sent a lot of weapons there. When they ask us to do this, we do it.”
Maarouf’s brigades were previously viewed as moderate among rebel forces that are more and more dominated by radical militants. Plus, the SRF was allegedly receiving significant aid from the US and other Western allies to battle the extremist forces.
However, Maarouf denies getting strong support from the US, saying there was a one-time $250,000 payment for salaries and benefits of a shared operations room in Jordan to fight the Southern Front.
“We have received lots of promises from the US, but so far nothing more,” he stated.
Maarouf’s advisor confirms this, insisting that the SRF relies on funding from Saudi Arabia.
A few days earlier, President Obama was pondering sending anti-aircraft weapons to the Syrian rebel forces, AP reported.
The violence in Syria has already killed over 140,000 people, forced millions to flee their homes and triggered a regional humanitarian crisis dubbed the worst in recent decades.
BA/BA