JFK Files: The Israel Connection

 In March of 2025, president Trump signed an executive order declassifying the JFK documents related to his assassination. Amazingly, nothing was apparently redacted in the 80,000 pages that were released. This gives a never before seen look and the inner workings of the Central Intelligence Agency and its malign thinking and activities across the globe. Evidently, the CIA was a run away shadow government of the USA as early as the 1960s.

 I scanned through all of the documents searching for keywords. Several interesting things are present in the documents, but overall they were lacking in substance. It is highly unlikely that this is all of the material related to JFK. In fact, most of the documents had no relation to JFK, let alone his assassination.

 Jack Ruby is mentioned several times. One snippet shows a Jack Rubenstein that visited Israel in 1962, however this is not the same “Jack Ruby” of Oswald assassination fame. However, that he was being investigated secretly in the context of Israel is interesting. Apparently the findings of this was left out of the files, as this paragraph is the only mention of the subject.

 Israel is mentioned fairly often. Their nuclear program is acknowledged and it is heavily implied that Israel stole nuclear technology and material from the USA. James Angleton, Israel’s agent in the USA (apparently) denies this in a Congress hearing. However, reading through the interview it is apparent that he is lying.

 It is quite apparent that the French government was instrumental in the Israelis obtaining nuclear weapons. Angleton stated that 400 French nuclear scientists visited Dimona. An earlier document made reference to the French developing long range surface to surface missiles that made no sense in the context of anything non-nuclear. 250 of these missiles were ordered.

 The CIA is painted as an evil and incompetent organization by these documents. An organization that likely betrayed its own nation for Israel, though Angleton denied this. However, I do not believe the CIA killed JFK. Or at least, these documents don’t seem to support that conclusion. It is still unclear from these mostly irrelevant documents who was responsible. I do not believe Oswald acted alone. If he had help from Cubans, the mafia or Israel I would not be surprised. Indeed, any of these three can be made into a decent case from what little the documents say that is of any value. 

 File 104-10302-10000

 “As for CA activities in the remainder of Latin America, the following countries were covered: Dominican Republic, Chile, Peru and (Venezuela (Haiti/and [British Guiana were then touched on, withー particular reference to the sensitivity of the/US-UK/cooperation on the latter.” “At Mr. Murphy's request, I began with a description of our electoral operations as approved by the Special Group in Chile, the Dominican Republic, Brasill and Guatemala.Mr. Murphy was particularly concerned with the situation in(Brazil and both he and Mr. Gray found it difficult to understand why the State Department 6 continued to provide large-scale economic assistance when Goulart/ had to date refused to clean house of the Communists and fellow travelers both within the government and the labor movement. They were interested in knowing that we were in touch with some of the military leaders who are opposed to Goulart and they seemed to feel that a military coup at some point might be preferable to allowing a country as large and powerful as Brazil to drift into the hands of the opposition. Bothgentlemen wished to know the amounts that we had expended in these electoral operations and our own estimate of the results. They did not question either the need for intervention or the size of our e ort; although in the Chilean case Mr. Murphy wanted to be sure that we had evidence that the funds passed through Italian 8 hands actually reached the Chilean Christian Democrats.” “I added that the more responsible military were trying to work out with the Guido government and the non-Peronist/political parties a formula which would prevent the Peronistas from making large gains on the national level.” “On the subject of Haiti Mr. Murphy felt that in so small a country action should be possible to remove Duvalier ind wondered why it had not been done. I pointed out that we had as yet no policy approval for such action but that we were active in identifying and making contact with opposition elements both within Halti and in exile.” “Pace asked whether there had been one or two U-2 flights over China. Mr. McCone replied that there had been two, and that they had 98 produced some interesting results.” “He commenced by displaying the chart which indicated the number of resident agents, illegal teams, legal teams, shipboard agents and penetrations of Cuban installations. He noted that the number of illegal teams had risen to three as a result of a successful operation on Sunday, and one of these teams had as many as 100 subagents with extensive coverage in the province of Pinar del Rio. Dr. Langer asked what the subagents were looking for, and Mr. FitzGerald replied that their coverage was mostly military. Mr. Murphy asked if these agents were all strictly collecting intelligence, and Mr. FitzGerald replied that this was their primary purpose at the moment, but the illegals could create a resistance net if this was desired.” “Mr. FitzGerald pointed out that the penetration of Cuban installations were mainly diplomatic installations and that some 14 Cuban diplomats were our agents.” “...and there were two Cuban ambassadors/on the payroll who provided some first-rate reports and were closest to the bone in what Castro was thinking.” “He then produced the chart entitled "llegal Infiltration -- Exfiltration Operations" and commented on this. Mr. Murphy asked if the groups on the island committed sabotage, and Mr. FitzGerald said the policy presently precluded major sabotage operations and limited it to "subtle sabotage". ” “Mr. Murphy stoutly denied that the policy was basically defensive in nature, and it was directed toward getting rid of communism and Castro in Cuba. It was fürther explained that CIA's activities were coordinated through this group.” “The Director replied that he did not recommend the use of Guantanamo. He noted that if it was used as a base for intelligence operations, and we got caught, Castro could mobilize world opinion against us.” “Dr. Killian asked if Guantanamo was used for SIGINT purposes. Mr. McCone said that he was sure it was...” "A" was the most violent, directed toward precipitating a revolution. "B" involved extensive sabotage. " B plus" was somewhere between the two and therefore involved even more activity, such as mining harbors.” “He did not wish to put CLA in the position of stimulating an uprising unless he was certain that U. S. policy would commit troops to back the uprising.” “He said that a second U-2 had been sent to Formosa...” 

 File 104-10302-10028

 “We have picked up further details on the surface-to-surface missile system which a French firm is developing for the Israelis. b. The firm, Marcel Dassault, is to produce and test fire 25 missiles between July 1964 and July 1965. An actual production contract for perhaps 250 missiles will be drawn up late in the period if all goes well. Design requirements call for the delivery of a 1, 600-pound warhead to a maximum range of 300 miles with a CEP slightly in excess of half a mile. A conventional warhead would not make military sense under these specifications.” 

 File 104-10014-10067 “ CASTRO ORDERED A REENACTMENT OF THE CRIME, USING HIS BEST MARKSMEN, AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE *WHATSUPPOSEDLY DID BY HIMSELF. L/1 SAID THAT THREE GROUPS WERE INVOLVED IN KILLING THE PRESIDENT: ONE GROUP OF CUBANS, ONE GROUP O "MAFIOSOS" AND A THIRD GROUP OF MERCENARIES. THE THIRD GROUP INCLUDED A MAN WITH A GREEК NAME. ” File 104-10012-10035 “At 9 a.m. on August 19, 1963 in Washington, D. C., I went to see (Mr. Kippingan) Director of Special Counselor Service Department of State at 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue-11th floor. I told the Director that I have information about President Kennedy. The Director said do not mention name of President Kennedy, only respond to the questions. The Director said tell us what will happen to Mr. Lee Harvey Oswald then. I said Mr. Lee H. Oswald will be killed after kill Kennedy. I said I will take the truth drug to tell the truth. Director tell us who else get killed in this country. I said as I heard, that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be killed. Who will kill Dr. King, Jr. Negro leader? I said a man who is in prison at this time. (Mr. James Earl Ray was in prison at that time.) Director asked where assassination will happen. I said in Dallas, Texas. Director said if someone gave this information here I would expel the man. Director did call on F.B.I. agents after F.B.I. use anesthesia gas to freeze me to drub me to keep amnesia.” 

 File 104-10105-10103

 “Refers to deep cover personnel income o set against CIA salary and to CIA officers under light cover protected by diplomatic or official passports.” 

 File 104-10105-10119

 “CIA personnel in specific Stations; revelation of(O ce of Communications personnel in (every Embassy abroad; the Agency role in countering terrorism, narcotics tracking and training provided other services to counteract these activities; and, the specific identity of liaison relationships, particularly, (the Israeli service.” 

 File 104-10164-10112

 “In May 1963 Charles is reported to have passed word to US o cials through an American journalist that he was in a position to head a provisional government after President Duvalier had been removed from power.” “In January 1969 Charles had a lengthy conversation with an o cial of the US Embassy in which the former candidly discussed his grievances against Duvalier and the plot he claimed to be instigating to overthrow Duvalier and replace him as President of Haiti.” 

 File 104-10170-10145

 “Auguat 1954 CUMMINGS Became the principle agent of the CIA owned companies International Armament Corporation and Interarmco Lt., both incorporated in Canada, Swizerland, and the U.S.” 

 File 104-10222-10041

 “...a memo verifying employment of Mr. Lucien E. Conein, whose name has appeared frequently during the Watergate hearings. The attached memorandum is what Archenhold wants.” 

 File 104-10256-10268

 Watergate. “Mr. Eugenio Rolando Martinez Careaga, an American citizen of Cuban birth, was recruited by the Agency in 1961. The project to which he was assigned was terminated in 1969, and he has since been on a parttime retainer to report on the Cuban exile community, receiving $100.00 a month. Prior to 1969, he received $8, 100.00 per year for his full-time operational activity. It is to be noted that Mr. Martinez is a real estate partner of Mr. Bernard L. Barker.” 

 File 104-10326-10070

 “ THANK YOU FOR ALERTING US TO REF ARTICLE. WE BELIEVE YOU ARE SEEING THE FIRST INDICATION OF A POSSIBLY MAJOR CUBAN ACTIVE MEASURES CAMPAIGN. THE CONFERENCE IN QUESTION WAS/IS ATTENDED BY, IN ADDITION TO ESCALANTE, A CUBAN CI OFFICER WHO PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE CUBAN SPONSORED CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS CONFERENCES OF 1992-93, AND CLAIMED A PRIMARY ROLE IN DEBRIEFING CIA CUBAN AGENTS IN THE 60'S, SEVERAL US CITIZEN 'INVESTIGATORS' ACTIVE IN PROMOTING VARIOUS CONJECTURES REGARDING CÍA'S ROLE IN JFK ASSASSINATION.” 

 File 104-10413-10306

 “McDonald states it was obvious that FBI and CIA were compromised at the very top since both Agencies denied knowledge of "Saul". Noone wanted to hear anymore about him.” “CIA allegedlý knew of Saul. McDonald said he first met Saul in CIA Hqs. CIA took picture of Saul that started McDonald's investigation.” "Saul" in book Appointment in Dallas who claims he was involved in the assassination of President Kennedy.” 

 File 104-10519-10184

 “The only Jack RUBENSTEIN known to have arrived in ISRAEL during 1962 stated that he- a native of POLAND, born 1905 And a resident of NEW-YORк. He arrived on May 17 and departed on June 7, accompanied by his wife Mimi.” 

 File 124-10188-10308

 “In several communications to you during the past year concerning Israeli intelligence operations in the United States, information has been forwarded regarding an espionage ring operated by the Israeli Government in New York City.” 

 File 124-10276-10400

 “...he only had secondhand and fragmentary information concerning (Israeli capabilities to conduct intelligence collection in the United States, including (nuclear information.” “Angleton, in his official capacity at CIA, had frequent personal liaison contacts with Israeli Intelligence Service.” “As an example, Hermoni developed close contact with Dr. Zalman Mordecai Shapiro, Director of Nuclear Materials and Equipment Corporation, Apollo, Pennsylvania, a firm which processes uranium 235 for nuclear reactors.” 

 File 124-10326-10099

 “Angleton also asked when the Bureau found it necessary to disseminate information to him and other agencies, that his identity not be revealed to the other agencies. He explained that he is involved in several sensitive projects, such as Israeli Intelligence, ind if his identity were known to the other agencies, the security of CIA operations could be prejudiced.” 

 File 157-10014-10005

 James Angleton testifies about Israel. “...they discovered that each had had separate sources that I had been instrumental in acquiring plutonium for the Israelis, and as a follow-up to help the Israelis on their know how by sending Dr. Mann to Israel clandestinely.” “ I will interject here that the French sent 400 as a matter of the original deal with the Israelis to Dimona.” “There have been many e orts by many countries to acquire technical knowledge in this country, and that doesn't exclude the Israelis.

The Gaza Death Camp: 2025 updates

2023: Ghetto

2024: Concentration camp

2025: Death camp

 By late 2024 the situation had become dire in Gaza. At least 45,000 were dead and about 70% of the structures damaged or destroyed. Much of this destruction was an act of razing, destroying civilian infrastructure in a deliberate manner. Many videos were posted to social media of IDF soldiers bulldozing and setting explosive charges in buildings. In December of 2024, Kamal Adwan hospital in Northern Gaza was besieged and then displaced of its staff and patients by the IDF. Much of the staff of Kamal Adwan was arre based on unfounded accusations of collaboration with militant groups.

 This included the directed of the hospital, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. Safiya was seen on video surrendering hospital to IDF tanks in his white robe. He was then arrested and taken to Israel proper. On January 15th, 2025 a ceasefire deal was announced. In the backdrop of this proclamation that had not yet officially been signed, the IDF continued bombing Gaza and continued deliberate campaign of razing civilian infrastructure. Two videos of mosques being intentionally destroyed were posted to social media by IDF soldiers in January.

On February 4th, 2025 the Trump administration made their goals for Gaza clear. Trump stated that the Palestinians in Gaza should be removed. After it is rebuilt "world people" would live there. In the statement, Trump made the claim that "1.7 or 1.8 million" people would be forcibly displaced. This would put the real death toll at around 500,000 people during the 2023-2025 Gaza genocide. 

On February 10th, 2025 US president Trump announced that Palestinians expelled under his plan would have no right of return. The ceasefire is in danger of breaking down as of the 10th of February and the IDF is preparing to reenter Gaza. Trump also announced that if all hostages were not returned in one week, the ceasefire would be called off. Netanyahu may be emboldened to attempt to displace the population of Gaza. 

As of February 11th, 2025, the Gaza ceasefire is on the brink of collapse. Israel has not fulfilled its obligations, and as a result Hamas has delayed the next Israeli hostage release. Both Trump and Netanyahu have given Hamas a week to release the next batch of hostages, or the ceasefire will be over. Meanwhile, Trump met with king Abdullah to discuss moving the Palestinians in Gaza into Jordan. The West Bank is also under increasing IDF attack. 

In mid-March, the ceasefire was ended by Israel. After a roughly two week siege prevented food from entering the strip, the IDF unleased a massive air bombardment. This was followed by the reoccupation of some areas of Gaza by IDF ground forces. More genocidal statements were made from the Israeli war minister Katz, indicating no more negotiations and the deliberate targeting of civilians if they do not turn on Hamas. 

In mid/late March of 2025, the IDF detonated the Turkish cancer hospital with explosive charges. The IDF then claimed, after outrage, that the hospital was being used as a Hamas base. Photographic evidence has proven the opposite, however. The Turkish cancer hospital had been used as an IDF base for months prior to the ceasefire. Once the ground troops moved back into Gaza, instead of reoccupy the hospital, they detonated it in a genocidal act.

In late March another hospital was struck from the air. The Naser hospital was struck by an air dropped projectile on the upper floor, killing several patients. This was captured live on video by a Gaza based journalist. The same day, video footage emerged of a JDAM being dropped on a group of refugee tents.

West Bank Journal (updated periodically)

 The West Bank is divided into three areas: A, B and C. Area C is the least populated while area A contains the urban centers such as Jenin and Tulkarem. In recent weeks, the IDF has ramped up attacks on all sectors of the West Bank. Collective punishment, razing and forced displacement acts have already been committed.

 Palestinians are being moved out of area C and structures are being destroyed. On February 10th, 2025 Khalet al-Daba/Masafer yatta came under IDF attack. Several homes, toilets, solar panels and trees were demolished by IDF excavators. Many Palestinians have already been forced to flee area C.

Roads and water pipes in and around Jenin and Tulkarem have been demolished by IDF bulldozers for seemingly no military purpose. In Jenin buildings have been detonated and burned. The purpose seems to be to make the area less livable. This is the same doctrine as in Gaza, now being moved rapidly to all areas of the West Bank. All areas are under attack. Area A (Jenin) is even witnessing limited airstrikes for the first time in years.

ICJ Judge Julia Sabutinde is Compromised

 Judge Julia Sabutinde was the one judge of 15 who dissented from South Africa's genocide case against Israel. In her dissent paper, she goes into extreme detail of the Israel-Palestine "history." It is highly unusual. There is almost no possible way she could know all of this information or have compiled it in such a manner. 

Furthermore, it was revealed by Norman Finkelstein and his associates that Sabutinde plagiarized about a third of the report. It is clear to me that she didn't plagiarize anything, because she didn't write the report. The report was written for her by Israeli agents. It is unclear why these agents would be so sloppy in their execution of the dissent paper. In my opinion it is possible the paper was written by a combination of AI and Israeli Mossad agents. It reads like a ChatGPT paper that was hastily popped out. 

I decided to fact check Finkelstein and put some of Sabutinde's dissent paper into a plagiarism checker. Sure enough, much of the paper is lifted word for word from often obscure sources. This adds to my belief that it was at least partially AI generated. Israel is known to use AI in its military, it is not a leap to think they could use it to write a paper.

This is a wake up call. The now top judge of the International Court of Justice is compromised. I belief she is being blackmailed and/or threatened, not bribed. Israel may use her to get away with a genocide. South Africa's case has not truly been heard yet. Sabutinde must immediately resign her position and Israel should be investigated.

Below are excerpts from the dissent, and the sources it was lifted from.

“...the line in the north emerged from anglo-french negotiations in 1923 the one in the south was fixed by treaties in the mid-1920s between britain and the new nation of saudi arabia t border between the mandate of palestine and the mandate of mesopotamia iraq was of little immediate importance given that the line was in the middle of an uninhabited desert and britain controlled both sides that line was finally fixed through an exchange of letters in the eastern part of mandatory palestine...” 

-Julia Sebutinde 

“The line in the north emerged from Anglo-French negotiations in 1923. The one in the south was fixed by treaties in the mid-1920s between Britain and the new nation of Saudi Arabi The border between Mandate Palestine and Mandate Mesopotamia was of little immediate importance, given that it was in the middle of an uninhabited desert and Britain controlled both sides....” 

-Plagiarized from “The forgotten history of the term Palestine” By Douglas J. Feith, Dec. 13, 2021 

"...the israelis recognized that despite impressive operational and tactical achievements on the battlefield there was no guarantee that they would alwa dominate the arab states militarily."

-Julia Sebutinde 

 “The Israelis recognized that, despite impressive operational and tactical achievements on the battlefield, there was no guarantee that they would always dominate the Arab states militarily.. 

-Plagiarized from “CalendarZ.com” “Events on October 25 in history, Yom Kippur war official ends with a ceasefire"

“In 2008, Israel tried yet again to table the idea of a two-State solution before the new leadership of the PLO. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert went even further than Ehud Barak had, expanding the peace offer to include additional land to sweeten the deal. Like his predecessor, the new Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, turned the deal down” 

-Julia Sebutinde

 “In 2008, Israel tried yet again. Prime Minister Ehud Omar went even further than Ehud Barak had, expanding the peace offer to include additional land to sweeten the deal. Like his predecessor, the new Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, turned the deal down.” 

-Yourmindmatters.blogspot.com

Gaza Genocide Aftermath

 In mid-January of 2025, a ceasefire was agreed to in the Gaza strip. This deal could have been made much sooner, indeed it is the same agreement that was proposed in May of 2024. The simple truth was that Israel did not want an agreement and had to be forced into one.

Gazans return North.

Trump's negotiation team apparently gave the Israelis no choice but to agree to a ceasefire. This is a huge indictment of the Biden administration's handling of the situation. Biden and Blinken could have stopped the onslaught many months ago. Instead, they ran cover for the Israelis and smeared the Palestinians with blood libels. It was not the Gazan resistance groups that didn't want a ceasefire, it was Israel the entire time. 

The IDF withdrew from Gaza in mid-January, leaving behind their destructive aftermath. They left behind razed neighborhoods and cities. Deliberate bulldozing, bombing and controlled demolitions to ensure that the Palestinians had nothing to come back to. Under the rubble are thousands of now skeletonized bodies that could not be retrieved.

Harrowing photographs of the return of Gazans to the North of the strip show them among rubble. Skeletons litter the ground.

In the coming months and years the true death toll will become known as bodies are slowly recovered. With few pieces of machinery left to excavate and no concrete mix coming into the Gaza strip, this will be a slow process. 

How the CIA Destroyed Syria

 With the outbreak of the Arab spring in 2010-2011 the US government saw an opportunity to remove nations it deemed hostile. The first nation to fall would be Gaddafi's Libya in 2011. It would take over a decade of a proxy war to finally topple Bashar al-Assad's Syria in 2024.

The reasons for wanting to topple Assad were quite singular. He was an enemy of Israel. Through Syria, Iran was able to transfer huge amounts of weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iranian cargo planes could land at Syrian airports and their cargo freely transfered across the border, especially near the Syrian town of Quasyr. With the fall of Assad's government, a Sunni Islamist regime takes over Syria. This runs counter to Iran and Hezbollah's ideology and ensures that no cooperation will take place. This was the plan all along.

The CIA was able to decimate Syria's army over the course of years by providing anti-tank guided missiles to Islamist rebels. These ATGM were mostly the BGM-71 TOW but also a large number of Fagot ATGMs sourced from Bulgaria. Operation "Timber Sycamore" was the project name, alleging to arm so called moderate rebels. The truth was that "moderate rebels" was just a buzz phrase for the media and no such thing actually existed on the ground. The "Free Syrian Army" which received the missiles was just a degree removed from al-Qaeda and frequently cooperated with extremist groups. 

Compilation of BGM-71 TOW strikes against Syrian army targets.

In 2013 the "moderate" FSA cooperated with ISIS in three offensive operations. These offensives included the Brigade 66 base seizure in Hama, the capture of Minnagh air base in Aleppo and the offensive on Latakia province in 2013. By 2014 the rebels had a falling out with ISIS. One group in particular stands out. Harakat Nourredine al-Zenki was one of the FSA units that received TOW ATGMs in 2014. This was in spite of the fact that Zenki had fought alongside ISIS to capture Minnagh air base, going to far as to film the ISIS truck bomb (VBIED) that destroyed part of the base in the final assault. 

Zenki would go on to cooperate with al-Qaeda and its rebranded name Hayat Tahrir al-sham in 2024 to Seize Aleppo. The capture of Aleppo was a worrying sign of a weakened state, but it wasn't clear that Syria was in real danger until Hama city fell days later. With that the entire country erupted again in rebellion and what remained of the Syrian Army dissolved away.

Cooperation on many fronts between the "moderate rebels" and various extremist groups. These groups include Jund al-Aqsa, Ansar al-Din and Jabhat al-Nusra.

Khalasah, southern Aleppo. Jabhat al-Nusra/AQ

Ansar al-Din, Northern Hama.

Kawkab, North Hama. Jund al-Aqsa. FSA softened the targets with TOWs and Jund al-Aqsa struck with a suicide bomber. 

The army was weakened by years of ATGM strikes, and this was a fundamental reason for the collapse of the state in the author's opinion. Hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles were destroyed by CIA supplied ATGMs, killing thousands of soldiers in the strikes alone. What followed these ATGM hits were offensive operations, namely the capture of Idlib city in 2015. The FSA struck town after town with ATGMs, destroying tanks on guard. Jabhat al-Nusra (Syrian al-Qaeda, now called HTS) would then storm and capture the towns. 

The FSA was a shell corporation for al-Qaeda. They were supposed to film all of their ATGM strikes for CIA review, which they did. This was to ensure "none fell into the wrong hands." However many BGM-71s did fall into the hands of ISIS and were even used directly by Jabhat al-Nusra/HTS at times. This did not dissuade the supply of missiles until Trump finally put an end to the program when he took office. 

ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra/HTS using TOWs.

Most of the country would be recaptured by 2018 by the Syrian Army. Idlib remained untouched however. While the Syrian army sat idle and withered away from neglect, years of ATGM strikes and sanctions, the Idlib militants prepared. Their final assault on Aleppo in late November was a shock to every side. Hama would be the only place where the Syrian army put up a fight. After Hama fell, Homs fell with no fight and the Syrian army and Assad abandoned Damascus. 

Most people do not remember the CIA program that armed Islamists in Syria, but it was one of their most criminal acts in their long dark history. Now the leader of what was once the official Syrian al-Qaeda branch, Mohammed Jolani, sits in Damascus. The goal has been achieved and any ends justified the means. Make no mistake, the CIA wanted this exact result. 

Jabhat al-Nusra/Hayat Tahrir al-Sham 2016-2024

 

This article was originally published in 2016 to show how extensive al-Qaeda in Syria's territory was. The purpose of republishing it is to bring attention to the extremist nature of Jabhat al-Nusra, which today calls itself Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

JaN and HTS have the same leader, Muhammed Jolani and employ many of the same fighters, are allied to many of the same groups and engage in similar tactics. With the fall of Bashar al-Assad in 2024, the West seems set to normalize relations with this terrorist group. The path to this is already being paved by the Western media. This is a wake up call to people who have not followed the war in Syria until now. 

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Jabhat al-Nusra (JN, JaN) is the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda. The group's Emir (leader) in Syria is Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, while Jabhat al-Nusra's overall leader is Al-Qaeda's Ayman al-Zawahiri. It is present in almost every location the Syrian opposition controls, with the possible exception of Darayya. As of July 2016, Jabhat al-Nusra claims to be the largest Syrian rebel group. Jabhat al-Nusra claimed in 2015 that 30% of their fighters were foreign, and that figure has likely increased.


JaN "Liwa Mujahirin wal Ansar" foreign fighters in Southern Aleppo.

Most of the Foreigners come from Central Asian states like Uzbekistan, such as the group "Tavhid Va Jihod."

This article is meant to highlight Jabhat al-Nusra's role in almost every battle on almost every front during the Syrian civil war. Their armed strength and the extent of the areas they control in Syria may seem quite surprising if you have only paid attention to Western media outlets. When the media talks about the "Syrian opposition" rarely do they mention extremists such as Jabhat al-Nusra, even though the extremists far outnumber the moderates.

Jabhat al-Nusra often operates with the Jaish al-Fateh coalition, of which it is the leading faction in the coalition. When JaN works within this coalition they put the Jaish al-Fetah logo on their media releases along with the regular blue Jabhat al-Nusra media logo.

Jabhat al-Nusra has been present in the Syrian conflict since the start of the war in 2011. Below, JaN planning bombings in Damascus at the beginning of the conflict. At the time some analysts concluded the Syrian government was behind these bombings to discredit the opposition, this obviously proved to be false.

Jabhat al-Nusra's Presence in the Damascus suburbs is often denied by pro-opposition analysts. However, Jabhat al-Nusra maintains a large force in the Suburbs of Damascus and the surrounding countryside. Both their Al-Manara network and their fighters have released images from some of their areas of control in the East Ghouta suburbs.

Jobar Suburb. Jobar was made famous by the ANNA News tank videos using GoPro cameras. Many people mocked the videos for stating Jabhat al-Nusra fought there.

Loading and Firing an M79 Osa anti-tank rocket.

Eastern Ghouta (exact locations not specified.)

Maliha Suburb.

VBIED used to counter the Syrian Army offensive on Maliha.

Another VBIED.

Qabun Suburb, East Ghouta 2016.

Nusra took part in the defense of Marj al-Sultan and its airbase before the Syrian Army recaptured it in early 2016.

S-60 57mm

BMP-1.

T-72.

Nawla, Eastern Ghouta.

Civil services in the Eastern Ghouta pocket.

Yarmouk refugee camp, Damascus.

Qalamoun mountains, North Damascus. JaN with a captured Lebanese Army M-113.

Yabroud, Damascus Province.

A training camp near Damascus, 2016.

Another area where Jabhat al-Nusra maintains a large fighting force is the province of Daraa. Much like Damascus, pro-opposition analysts have attempted to downplay the presence of Jabhat al-Nusra in Daraa. In 2014 and 2015 JaN and other rebel factions made large advances in the province. Even the FSA Southern Front, arguably the most moderate FSA group, fought alongside JaN during these offensives.

JaN with a captured T-55 in 2013.

JaN in 2013.

Fighting near the Israeli boarder.

Child soldiers.

The strategic town of Nawa captured during the 2014-2015 rebel offensive.

The first battle of Sheik Meskin. Sheik Meskin was captured by both JaN and the FSA during the large scale 2014-2015 rebel offensive.

Captured UN MRAP used as a VBIED.

BMP-1 VBIED.

Shelling Shiek Meskin with mortars.

Syrian Army Brigade 82 base captured in Daraa during the 2014-2015 offensive.

BMP AMB-S used as a VBIED against Liwa Shuhada al-Yarmouk in southern Daraa.

JaN sending reinforcements during the second battle of Shiek Meskin. JaN would be forced out of Sheik Meskin during this battle, with the Syrian Army retaking the town. These pictures show the scale of their presence in Daraa, with many armored vehicles and technicals.

T-55MV, BMP-1 and many vehicles.

Fighting around Sheik Miskin. T-55 and a ZPU fire on the Syrian Army.

Another massive Jabhat al-Nusra column sent to counter the Syrian Army offensive in Daraa in early 2015.

 T-72AV TURMS-T.

ZSU-23-4 Shilka.

BMP-1

ZPU 14.5mm and ZU-23-2 techincals.

Other areas of JaN presence in Daraa.

Fighter with MANPADs.

Quneitra province in Southern Syria also has a large Jabhat al-Nusra presence. During 2014-2015 much of the province was captured by the opposition, including JaN. The offensive stopped at Al-Hader, a Druze town in Northern Quneitra who refused to let the jihadists advance.

Captured UN MRAP near the Israeli boarder.

Fighters trying to advance.

Captured Syrian/Russian base in Al-Harra during the 2015 offensive.

Clashes in early 2016 with the Syrian Army.

Building defensive berms, 2016.

The besieged rebel pocket of Northern Homs is another stronghold of  Jabhat al-Nusra. It shares control of the pocket with Ahrar al-Sham and the Free Syrian Army.

KPV machine gun technicals.

A captured T-62.

Training camp, 2016.

In May 2016 rebels launched an offensive to capture the town of Zara, just North of the rebel held Homs pocket. JaN, Ahrar al-Sham and the FSA managed to capture the town of zara after a brief fight. They proceeded to execute many non-Sunni civilians living there and took many more civilians hostage.

Firing a KPV machine gun at Zara.

JaN troops storming Zara.

JaN captured a BMP-1 and a T-62 during the Zara offensive.

More JaN activity in the Homs pocket, 2016.

Idlib province is the stronghold of Jabhat al-Nusra in Syria. Much of the province fell early on in the war, leaving just the Wadi Deif army base, Abu Duhur airport, and a salient leading to Idlib city under Syrian Government control. These locations were all eventually captured, leaveing the province under the complete control of JaN and its allies. Idlib city is the capitol of Jabhat al-Nusra's Islamic State.

JaN activity in Idlib province prior to the major Idlib offensive of March 2015.
 Pictured below is a massive convoy on JaN armored vehicles and technicals. T-72 Urals, T-72AVs, T-62, BMP-1s and Gvozdikas.

 The Wadi Deif army base was under siege for 8 months before JaN and its allies were able to capture it. Some Syrian troops managed to break out and reach friendly lines just before the base fell. The Syrian Army troops took with them at least 4 T-62 tanks and 6 BMP-1s.

JaN using a TOW anti-tank missile at the Wadi Deif base. TOWs were originally supplied to "moderate" rebels.

T-55MV during the assault on the base.

T-62.

T-72AV. (Later seen in Idlib city.)

BMP-1.

The Battle of Idlib

The Second Battle of Idlib started on March 24th, 2015 and continued until March 28 with the city being captured by JaN and its allies. The above map shows the territory controlled by each side just after the battle.


It began with Jabhat al-Nusra/Jund al-Aqsa striking the city with VBIEDs (Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices) using BMP-1s.

JaN used US supplied TOW missiles intended for moderate forces to strike Syrian Army tanks and positions in the city.

Also using a Metis-M ATGM.

Shelling Idlib with a T-55.

Firing on Idlib with a ZPU.

JaN then stormed Idlib city, where intense urban combat took place.

ZPU inside Idlib city.

Syrian soldiers killed by JaN in combat.

By March 28, 2015 Idlib city was fully in the hands of Jabhat al-Nusra and its allies. Photos of the aftermath.

Destroyed T-62.

Government buildings captured.

JaN T-72AV parades through the captured city.

After Idlib city fell, the Syrian Army launched a counteroffensive that briefly retook towns around Idlib. The gains could not be held, however, and the Syrian Army again went on the defensive. Town after town would fall in the following months, eventually forcing the Syrian Army to the boarder of Hama.

Mastouma, just South of Idlib city was the next town to fall.

A T-72AV (the same one pictured above in Idlib and Wadi Deif) rolls through Mastouma.

ZU-23-2 firing on Mastouma.

A destroyed Syrian Army T-72M1.

The Brick Factory and Qarmeed Camp, located between Mastouma and Musbin (also spelled Muhsaybeen) was also captured by JaN and its allies. The Brick Factory was a makeshift checkpoint used by the Syria army. Its captured paved the way for the attack on Mastouma.

JaN Targeting the Brick Factory.

A captured T-72.

Captured M-46 field guns.

The Brick Factory had been used as an artillery position. Dozen of spent shells.

The Syrian Army "Qarmeed camp" was next to fall.

The assault on Qarmeed camp began with a VBIED.

JaN troops preparing to storm Qarmeed camp.

Qarmeed Camp under fire.

Then, Muhsaybeen (also spelled Musbin) town fell to JaN.

Mortar targeting Muhsaybeen.

JaN troops near Muhsaybeen.

The strategic city of Ariha fell in May 2015. It was the second largest town captured in Idlib province at that time.

JaN planning the assault.

JaN troops inside Ariha.

A destroyed Syrian Army ZSU-23-4 Shilka.

The Battle of Jisr Shughour

Jisr al-Shughour was the second largest city to be captured by Jabhat al-Nusra during the 2015 Idlib offensive. The final assault began in May, with the Syrian Army rapidly collapsing inside the city, leaving 200 soldiers trapped in the Jisr Shughour hospital. Only some of these trapped soldiers were able to break out and reach friendly lines. Many observers were surprised by how quickly the city was captured when the final assault was launched.

JaN began shelling the city in April. Seen below with a T-55.

T-72AV

T-55

S-60 57mm shelling the city.

ZU-23-2 firing on the city.

JaN troops on the outskirts.

The final JaN assault on Jisr al-Shughour on May 5th, resulting in its capture the following day.

T-72 Ural Tanks.

ZU-23-2.

Jisr al-Shughour under fire.

VBIED that targeted the besieged hospital.

The Syrian Army Idlib salient was eventually forced down to the Idlib boarder, where clashes spilled into Northern Hama, where they continue today. By this time there were two remaining Government held pockets in Idlib, Fuah and Kefraya towns, and the Abu Duhur airbase.

Fuah and Kefraya were cut off when Idlib city was captured. They are Shia towns, meaning that Jabhat al-Nusra and its allies would kill everyone living there if the towns were captured. With that kind of threat, the residents of the towns have fought back fiercely. To this day the towns still resist, having destroyed several attacking JaN tanks and vehicles in the surroundings. The towns are periodically resupplied by airdrops.

JaN shelling Fuah with a T-62.

ZU-23-2 firing on the towns

The Syrian Army/National Defense Force of Fuah and Kefraya captured a T-72 Ural from Jabhat al-Nusra. One of several JaN tanks captured/destroyed while attacking the towns.

The Final Assault on Abu Duhur Airbase.

After months of being besieged, the Abu Duhur airbase finally fell to Jabhat al-Nusra. A literal perfect storm had conspired to allow the base to be captured, with a sandstorm on the day JaN's final assault preventing the base from being defended with air support. A small number of Syrian soldiers broke out as the base fell, taking with them one tank and at least one technical when they departed for friendly lines.

JaN troops in the dust storm.

Firing on the base with ZU-23-2s and a ZPU.

BMP-1 charging into the base.

After the base fell, captured Syrian soldiers were executed in an ISIS-style propaganda video.

Hama has had a Jabhat al-Nusra presence since early on in the Syrian conflict, with JaN occupying large areas of Northern Hama. Next to Idlib, Hama is probably the most important area of the JaN/Al-Qaeda Caliphate. Fighting picked up in Hama in 2015 toward the conclusion of the Idlib offensive. Towns in Northern Hama as well as the Al-Ghab Plain came under heavy JaN attack.

JaN in Northern Hama prior to the major 2015 battles.

Captured ZSU-23-4 Shilka.

Captured T-72AV.

JaN training camp.

Major fighting in Northern Hama, at the town of Mahrada in late 2015.

M-46 field gun.

Gvozdika.

The Ghab Plain of Northern Hama, on the Boarder of Idlib and Latakia, has seen some of the heaviest fighting of the war. JaN and its allies seized large parts of the Ghab Plain in 2015, but has since not been able to advance much further on this front. As of 2016 the North Hama front remains fairly static. Photos of JaN fighting in the Ghab Plain can be seen below.

T-72 Ural.

T-72 and BMP-1 on the move.

T-55.

ZPU technical.

A destroyed tank and BMP-1.

A captured BMP-1. It appears to be disabled, as it is being towed by a tank.

Another interesting photo from Northern Hama. US/UK funded Syrian Civil Defense men, AKA "White helmets" seen in a JaN/Al-Qaeda press release.

Various photos from 2016 battles, and of JaN running its caliphate in the towns it controls in Hama.

M-46 field gun.

Fighters.

Using a T-72M1 TURMS-T.

T-72AV with DIY Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armor side skirts and mine rails.

An M114 Humvee, captured from Iraqi militias in Aleppo.

A Shariah course, a vital part of caliphate building.

A training camp.

JaN and FSA flags together.

Aleppo province is one of Jabhat al-Nusra's most important areas of operation and control. JaN controls the Western half of Aleppo province and has a presence in the rebel held Eastern half of Aleppo city.

Aleppo is Syria's largest city. Its importance to the Syrian Government and the opposition has led to intense fighting. Many pro-opposition analysts deny or downplay Jabhat al-Nusra's presence in Aleppo city. Pictures released by Jabhat al-Nusra's Al-Manara Network and its fighters prove they occupy the Easrtern half of Aleppo city along with the FSA and Ahrar al-Sham.

JaN presence in Aleppo city early on in the war.

"Hell Canons" used to shell Aleppo.

JaN T-72 near the Aleppo Central Prison, Northern Aleppo.

S-60 57mm firing on a Government held building in Aleppo city.

During the summer of 2015 Jabhat al-Nusra and its allies attempted to take Aleppo city from the Government. This resulted in the capture of a few military facilities on Aleppo's outskirts, and heavy fighting inside the city. The assault eventually fizzled out, with JaN unable to advance very far. Most of the fighting took place in the Al-Zahraa District.

A VBIED on Al-Zahraa, Aleppo city.

Heavy fighting in Al-Zahraa district.

JaN T-62 inside Al-Zahraa district.

JaN fighter.

Sheik Maqsood District is in the center of Aleppo city. It is a Kurdish district held by the Kurdish YPG. The YPG is neutral toward the Syrian Government, while JaN and its allies are enemies.

JaN fighters inside Sheik Maqsood.

Firing on Sheik Maqsood from rebel controlled areas.

More fighting inside Aleppo city.

Photos released by Jabhat al-Nusra showing the shelling of Nayrab Airbase using mortars. In order to hit Nayrab airbase, Jabhat al-Nusra would have to be firing the mortars from inside the Eastern half of Aleppo city.

Approximate location of the mortars, located in the rebel held Eastern half of Aleppo city.

Jabhat al-Nusra fighting in the Layramoun district of Aleppo city as the Syrian Army tries to advance, 2016.

VBIED targeting areas of Layramoun district that were recently recaptured by the Syrian Army.

Fighters preparing.

Jabhat al-Nusra fighting in Layramoun.

The Castillo road is one of the most sought after targets in Aleppo. The Castillo road is the only road that leads into rebel held East Aleppo city. If the road were to be cut off, JaN and its allies would be besieged inside the Eastern Districts of Aleppo city. Both the YPG and the Syrian Army have attempted, and continue to attempt to capture the road.

JaN defending the Castillo road with a ZU-23-2.

JaN fighter on the road.

This JaN fighter was killed fighting near the Castillo road.

Handarat and Handarat Refugee Camp boarder the Castillo road. Heavy fighting regularly takes place around Handarat for this reason.

JaN sniper in Handarat.

T-55.

A VBIED used on Handarat.

Fighting around the Aleppo countryside is just as bitter as the fighting in Aleppo city. Much of the Southern Aleppo countryside was recaptured by the Syrian Army and its allies in late 2015 and early 2016. In April of 2016 Jabhat al-Nusra and its allies launched an offensive to retake some of this territory. They managed to recapture a significant amount of ground that had been lost. Towns recaptured include El-Eis, Khan Tuman, Khalasah, Zitan and Birnah.

T-72AV during the Southern Aleppo offensive.

T-72AV in the recaptured town of Khalasah.

T-72 Ural in the recaptured town of Zitan.

S-60.

JaN BMP-1 and M-114 Humvee filmed by "Revolution Syria" an FSA media outlet.

S-60.

Gvozdika self-propelled gun.

BMP-1 and T-72 Ural column.

M-46 field gun.

T-55.

Latakia province has a small rebel presence. Rebels did occupy much of the Northern part of Latakia, but they were pushed from most of that territory in late 2015 and early 2016. The rebels, led by Jabhat al-Nusra, managed to recapture some territory in the province in June of 2016. Jabhat al-Nusra did manage to reach the coast once with the capture of the town of Kessab. Their control of the town of Kessab was brief, with the Syrian Army quickly recapturing it. While JaN was in Kessab they committed massacres against the non-Sunni civilians living there.

JaN T-55 in Kessab.

In Late 2015 the Syrian Army launched an offensive to push the rebels out of Latakia province. This offensive managed to recapture most rebel held territory in the province, but the rebels fought back bitterly. JaN defended town after town as they fell to the Syrian Army.

The most significant town to be recaptured by the Syrian Army was Salma. It was defended by JaN, seen here firing mortars at the advancing Syrian Army.

Other locations JaN defended during the Syrian Army offensive.

Jabhat al-Nusra briefly recaptured the town of Hawr near Salma, seizing two T-55 tanks in the process.

More JaN activity in Latakia in early 2016.

In June of 2016, JaN and its allies launched a major offensive in the latakia province. It managed to recapture several areas, the most important of which was the town of Kinsabba.

JaN foreign fighter from Kyrgyzstan during the latakia offensive.

Firing on Kinsabba.

S-60.

D-30.

ZU-23-2.

Mortars.

JaN troops heading into Kinsabba.

Unfortunately, Jabhat al-Nusra's dominance in Syria will likely continue. Pro-opposition analysts and activists (Lister et al.) suggest that the west should counter Jabhat al-Nusra by further arming the "moderates" like the Free Syrian Army. This idea would fail miserably, as the Free Syrian Army has had plenty of weapons all along and it has not changed anything. The FSA openly works alongside Jabhat al-Nusra, so supplying more weapons would only serve the extremists.

Even the FSA 13th Division, widely reported by pro-opposition analysts to be challenging Jabhat al-Nusra, continues to fight alongside them. The town of Maraat al-Numan, where the 13th Division is based, has peacefully protested against Jabhat al-Nusra. Yet, the 13th Division took part in the Southern Aleppo offensive alongside them.

Had it not been for the US and GCC nations supplying weapons such as TOW anti-tank missiles to the FSA, Jabhat al-Nusra would likely not control as much territory as it does today. TOW missiles were a game changing weapon, especially during the Idlib offensive. Dozens of tanks were hit and destroyed by Free Syrian Army TOW missiles, allowing Jabhat al-Nusra to advance through the Idlib province. The Free Syrian Army also used TOW missiles heavily in Southern Aleppo, Northern Hama and Latakia, again allowing Jabhat al-Nusra to advance. If we truly want to stop extremists, we need to stop arming rebels and accept that Assad's government will remain.