“At the same time, we see that there is almost no difference between the group called Free Syrian Army or other jihadist groups and ISIS. For instance, these ‘moderate’ opposition groups burned the churches down, when they entered Kessab. They entered Malula, where there is still an ancient Christian community speaking Aramaic. They destroyed that place too. There are many other examples like these.” - Harout Ekmanian In the Western press, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) was viewed as a moderate, secular, rebel force fighting to topple the Syrian government and to establish a democratic state in...
![The Salafist Roots of the Free Syrian Army](https://sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/offload-wp-files/2022/02/VanWagenen-Header-1080x675.jpg)