An Israeli member of parliament has claimed that the Israel Defense Forces are actively supporting the terrorist group al-Nusra in order to gain ground in Syria.
Akram Hasson criticized Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman for authorizing support for Jabhat Fatah al Sham (also known as al-Nusra Front) in clashes on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights.
Sputniknews.com reports:
On Saturday, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) shelled the positions of Syrian artillery in the Golan Heights in response to a projectile allegedly fired by the Syrian army against the insurgents.
“This new strategy led by Lieberman since he took office has strengthened the Nusra Front and it’s raising its head to attack our brothers,” Hasson said, as quoted by the Haaretz newspaper.
According to Hasson, strikes launched by the IAF against Damascus positions benefited the terror group that advanced near the village of Khadr, inhabited by the Druze ethnic and religious minority.
“The Nusra Front is operating with unprecedented support from Israel, because the organization’s fighters are advancing in those places where the Israel Defense Forces had previously bombed Syrian positions and the organization is holding those positions, in addition to the logistical and medical assistance it’s getting from Israel,” Hasson added, citing local authorities of the village.
In June, Lieberman voiced Israel’s commitment to protect the Druze population, persecuted by terror groups active in Syria.
Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to President Bashar Assad fighting numerous opposition factions and extremist groups.