The revolt against Syrian dictator Assad is changing: Goods few months ago, only individual combat units Islamist, the radicals are now more and more followers. Extremists have now established an “army of Islam.” This is a well calculated PR coup in the first place.

The image looks at first glance like a normal group photograph: Approximately 70 men huddle in a semicircle in front of the camera. One offers its neighbors a piece of pizza, others fool around when the photographer pulls the trigger.

But here, not a harmless meeting is shown. The photo shows the foundation of the “Army of Islam”, in which 43 units have joined radical Syrian rebels in and around Damascus on Sunday. The Islamist force published its inaugural conference videos on the internet. Chairman of the Alliance is reported to the militia Sahran Allusch, the leader of the major “Liwa al-Islam” is. This brigade fought in the greater Damascus against the Assad regime.

Die Gründung der “Armee des Islam” ist in erster Linie ein Propaganda-Coup. Die meisten Gruppen, die sich da zusammengeschlossen haben, bestehen nur aus einer Handvoll Kämpfer. Viele von ihnen hatten sich schon zuvor unter den Oberbefehl von Kommandeur Allusch gestellt. Ihre Brigaden wurden nun noch einmal öffentlichkeitswirksam seinen Truppen angegliedert.

But the self-conscious self-designation of the Alliance as “Army of Islam” is a further indication of the change that the Syrian raging since two and a half years of civil war has taken place. In the spring of 2011 started the revolt against Bashar al-Assad’s regime, he was born and shaped by the civil society. 31 months later, the Islamist rebel groups appear more confident.

That the Islamists are now even found bodies is a new development: just a few months ago, only a few rebel groups in Syria might be considered radical Islamist. This, above all the Qaeda near Nusra front, had problems with the often not very interested in religious matters population to gain sympathy.

Syria Civil War:Jihadist groups hope to money and weapons

But that has changed. The longer the promised aid from the West for moderate rebels failed to materialize, the more influence gained Islamist units. Just after last month only announced and then canceled U.S. military action against the Assad regime, many rebels have once again turned away deeply disappointed by the international community. They now seek to join radical groups.

The change of attitude towards religion is worthwhile for the rebels. The Syrian conflict involved in the Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, promote radical fighter groups with arms and money gifts. However, even small organizations in the surface state of Syria have logistical difficulties getting hold of help. Therefore, the establishment of the “Army of Islam”: By joining an umbrella organization hope the small groups to better supply of money and supplies. The big hand will be able to expand its sphere of influence – which is important when it comes to the distribution in the occupied territories of the benefice.

The merger of the brigades in the greater Damascus is the second serious blow within a few days for the Syrian National Coalition, the representatives of the civilian opposition. Which is supposed to represent the interests of Assad’s opponents to the outside world. But last Wednesday announced 13 North Syrian associations – including the Nusra Front – the coalition and the interim government of their loyalty.

The fighters of the 13 groups summoned their unit within an “Islamic framework” and argued for the introduction of Islamic Sharia as the sole legal basis. This new Islamist Northern Alliance should have about 50,000 fighters and would allow the strongest association within the Assad opponents.

The restructuring of Islamist organizations in the North and now also in the province of Damascus dampens hopes that there could be a political solution to the Syrian conflict under the auspices of the international community. The Free Syrian Army, whose moderate fighter, the West supported at least in theory, was initially pushed to the brink of irrelevance.

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