JHUFpresents

English Translation forMeeting of Al-Jazeera Channel with

Sheikh Hasaan Abood Abu Abdullah Al-Hamawi(Amir Of Islamic Movement of Ahrar Al-Sham)

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most MercifulPraise to Allah and Prayers upon Prophet Mohammad(SAW) and his companies

Reporter: Welcome to Sheikh Abu Abdullah, tell us about the emergence of Ahrar Asham the Islamic Freedom Movement how and when?Sheikh: In the name of Allah, prayer and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah :The Movement arose .... From the merger of four battalions, is a Atalyah Islamic movement , Alfajr Islamic movement and Aleman fighters Brigades and in addition to Ahrar Asham movement, a well known battalions and people aware of its role and effectiveness in the arena.

When was this merger?When was this merger?It was announced after a series of meetings in the thirty-first of the first month of this year .

Do you stipulate certain criteria for people to join your movement?No doubt we we require some of the standards and the determinants of work and No doubt we we require some of the standards and the determinants of work and behavior for brother who belongs to us, but these standards do not make the components of the Movement or battalions Elitist components but , are it is from all segments of the people provided that committed to particular behavior that give a true picture of the kind Mujahid towards his people committed to his religion and manners with people, and to be an example among other fighters .

So , you do not accept randomly , everyone who wants to join and fight the So , you do not accept randomly , everyone who wants to join and fight the regime you do not accept him randomly but Do you think these standards represent the vast majority of the Syrian regime?I mean this revolution is a revolution of the people and this Jihad is Ummah’s Jihad I mean this revolution is a revolution of the people and this Jihad is Ummah’s Jihad and all the segments of people have contributed to this revolution, we’re not an extensive container for all these segments as in the case of the free army, we wanted to have a of common ground of the components of these battalions of members and leaders so be compatible path and there is a consensus between the brothers and And because of that Alhamdullah Allah facilitated the issue of the administration.

Have you participated in the peaceful movement before the founding of the Have you participated in the peaceful movement before the founding of the movement or battalions?Without doubt we case Like the rest of the components of the Revolution, in the beginning we were involved in the demonstrations and to express our rejection of this injustice by the regime on people, this whole rejected it starting, but when the oppression of the regime and tyranny increased ,it was inevitable for us to equip ourselves to protect these demonstrations.

Returning to the cadres. Do you have training programs for cadres , are Returning to the cadres. Do you have training programs for cadres , are they limited to military side or extends to the political and intellectual side?We have this and that, our camps interested in the affairs of coordination , which focuses on educational and behavioral side as well as the principles of militarism so brother Engage with basics aware of the duties and rights, and we also have specialized camps elevate individuals so that they are qualified cadres.

There is a lot of news about you and your cadres that you are accused of There is a lot of news about you and your cadres that you are accused of being close to Al-Qaeda, I'm talking about the beginning of the establishment of the battalions, especially brigades of Ahrar Asham. Are these accusations as a result of these training programs of intellectual and ideological?Well, my brother no doubt that we are ideologized, but what nature of this Well, my brother no doubt that we are ideologized, but what nature of this ideological, we made it clear in an interview earlier was entitled as "the story of brigades" We said that we are not an extension of any party or organization or group.

Where is this conversation published?It is published in the internet and it is exist for those who want see it, as a voice and written and it is exist in the movement site as well .When we said that we are not an extension of any party or organization or group; This was the When we said that we are not an extension of any party or organization or group; This was the characterization of the event, This is actually the fact , but are there any points of convergence between us and the rest of the Islamic groups? Without a doubt, without a doubt, we are not different of groups , we did not come up with something new on the scene completely.

So why the focus was upon you by many global media, that Ahrar Asham ( the free Sham )closer to Al-Qaeda , are free Sham terrorists?Yes, we thought that the reason for this was initially weak media discourse that might cause Yes, we thought that the reason for this was initially weak media discourse that might cause some trepidation among observers, as we were the first component that did not engage in the structure of the free army , we brother were earlier presence than the free army, and when the free army arose we did not declare to join it , and we had our reasons in this.

What are the main achievements of Ahrar Al-Sham Brigades or Islamic Ahrar Al-Sham Movement?Every observer can see the achievements on the ground, he must notice that our brothers in the Ahrar Every observer can see the achievements on the ground, he must notice that our brothers in the Ahrar Al-sham Brigades and later in Islamic Ahrar Al-sham Movement with its components or even the Islamic Front in general to which we belong; was a key player in the major accomplishments achieved.

Like?Like in Idlib, for example, the process of liberalization of Idlib involving various groups.

You mean Idleb countryside?Yes, and the big barriers . The different groups participated , and we Alhamdullah have noticed Yes, and the big barriers . The different groups participated , and we Alhamdullah have noticed effectiveness in this, but the locations and strongholds core of the system such as Teftenaz airport in Idleb and moving to Halab Al-Jarah airport, these operations were under the management , supervision and the implementation with other groups of the Islamic Ahrar Al-sham Movement.

So most important achievements you’re proud of are Teftenaz and Al-Jarah airports?This brother was due to that aircraft that throw explosive barrels on the people there is no way to stop This brother was due to that aircraft that throw explosive barrels on the people there is no way to stop them while they flying at an altitude of thousands of meters, but that attacking them when they parked on the ground as a result of the serious lack of anti-aviation, so we prepare our capabilities and our plans and consult with experts and Alhamdullah We have identified two of the centers of mass and abuse of our people in both airports, and in addition to the airports there was a major liberalization barracks, as happened in Aleppo(Halab), arms depots in Khan Touman. The liberation of prisoners battle that is now on the walls of the central prison of Aleppo.

Ok pardon What about your spread on the Syrian map, the movement spread?Ok pardon What about your spread on the Syrian map, the movement spread?We thanks and praise to Allah are present in all the Syrian provinces of the country, except in Sweida , and Tartous because of situation there as you know that the security situation is a special case.

You do not exist in Tartus?Until now ,we do not have any activity there, although we are present in all provinces of the Until now ,we do not have any activity there, although we are present in all provinces of the country and have noticeable effectiveness alhamdullah , and the basic gravity as obvious to observers is in the central region and the north and east, in addition to Latakia.

Do you have a non-military activities like do you provide services to people?We initially keen on it, when we came out as a fighters for Allah and for vulnerable men, women and We initially keen on it, when we came out as a fighters for Allah and for vulnerable men, women and children ,we never ignore people who suffer from life hardship and the consequences of displacement, so, we provide services , relief and medical activities . I mean the human side ,the civilian activity , in addition to military activity, it was reinforced later when we moved from being a purely military side "free-Sham Brigades" to "al-Sham Islamic Freedom Movement" and this transition has been a change in strategy in dealing with the civil side.

But besides hardship people are suffering from the lack of security?Yes it is true, we have the issue of road security control , and try to fill the security gap after the liberation of the regions, this is noted in Aleppo and Idlib, Hama, in addition to the liberated areas of the countryside in some areas. But this cannot be the efforts of one group it must have the combined efforts of all rebels with their Islamic Brigades and the Free Army Brigades , and we call here all our brothers to control the security situation and provide security for those people who have suffered two years of time.

Ok now you talked about military activity , civil activity ,and may be security activity, Ok now you talked about military activity , civil activity ,and may be security activity, relief activity all of these things require financial liquidity, Where do you get your funding?We rely mainly on military booty to supply the military action that we do, in addition to donations comes from people abroad. They do it for their conscience , humanity and religion.

Syrians?Expatriates and non-Syrians also, yes some donations come to us and placed in its field of Expatriates and non-Syrians also, yes some donations come to us and placed in its field of alleviation live on people and also as a contribution in prevent aggression of the enemy .

Ok what about the funding that comes from the countries and institutions?Brother ,we do not receive support from countries.

This weapon and ammunition that enter through the joint leadership by the Chiefs of Staff of the free army , do you get a part of them?We are not a part of the Joint leadership or the free army , we are an independent popular We are not a part of the Joint leadership or the free army , we are an independent popular Brigades are trying to be on the level of coordination and cooperation with everyone, we are brothers with every Mujahed has true intent and purpose.

This is a general talk, Sheikh, I mean we want specifically, how is your relationship with This is a general talk, Sheikh, I mean we want specifically, how is your relationship with the other components of the Syrian revolution, the Free Army, other battalions, there is also an Islamic Brigades like you , there are secular brigades that may not adopt any Islamic view , in addition to military defectors who spread in military Joint Chiefs and many brigades and battalions along the Syrian geography?My brother, secular brigades signified literally does not exist, because the secular is ideological We My brother, secular brigades signified literally does not exist, because the secular is ideological We don’t have ideologized secularists, but it is possible there of commoners who do not adopt complete intellectually Islamic thats true because this country, as I told you is a revolution of the people, we share with the free army and the rest groups working on the ground in joint military operations room and are also engaged in operations that do not have earlier order, and as you know, the war began as a guerrilla war, guerrilla war at the beginning you've got something of privacy and secret at work, but when the war converted to a semi-regular war, military action must be selective and upgrading to the advanced situation of cooperation and coordination ,so the joint operations rooms has arose on the ground and we involved with the Free Army and the military leadership and the General Staf. There is joint work between us and them as there is between us and the rest of the Islamic groups and battalions.

So, there is an existing coordination with the most components of the revolution?Yes, my brother, it exceeds the extent of coordination, there is a real cooperation and deep level as well.

Even with Jabhat Annosrah?We did a great number of joint operations with Jabhat Annosrah like the rest of the battalions . We did a great number of joint operations with Jabhat Annosrah like the rest of the battalions . They are, as everyone knows tough and have the valor and have stability in the battles , working with them is a strategic choice for each group on the ground.

This is for Coordination field, military action, what is the distance between you and between jabhat Annusrah intellectually, ideological, systematically?They, like other Islamic groups, my brother, we meet with them in points and disagree on other They, like other Islamic groups, my brother, we meet with them in points and disagree on other points and militarily meet in matters of tactics and disagree with them on other tactics, they have their own way in the presentation of their approach and adopt their ideas and we may agree with them that Islam is the adjuster of our work and we may disagree on some points.

There are those who put the idea of a democratic country and want to apply it in Syria in order to keep pace with civilization, as they say, now we would love to know your position on democracy?My brother ,the attitude of democracy is a sword hanging on everyone that western powers want My brother ,the attitude of democracy is a sword hanging on everyone that western powers want him absent from the scene we declare this and not be afraid except of Allah to tell the truth, democracy is to control people via people according to what they think of rules , we say that we have a system of divine prescribed for his caliph and slaves, Allah made us his caliphs on earth to build it and raise religion to Allah Almighty and we as Muslims this is our right, we say what you want from democracy? "Freedom" in sharia there is a high system of law to give freedom to people, freedoms that is restricted with controls and not freedoms that produce injustice on others and overpower them.

What's your position on freedom of belief?Freedom of belief as decided by sharia , this is guaranteed, you know that Jews and Christians have lived in the Islamic nation and they have their own privacy and the Islamic nation have defended them over hundreds of years.

And freedom of speech?And freedom of speech, it's not as others think , look at the the ancient books and read them and And freedom of speech, it's not as others think , look at the the ancient books and read them and see to what extent there was of the freedoms of expression and opinions, but everywhere there are prohibitions ,my brother, cannot exceed or break.

Like?We must recognize that there sanctities cannot skip, you cannot challenge the basis of my belief as a Muslim and I am bulk ; and think this is freedom of opinion and expression.Look at Britain, for example, you can speak about what you want except the queen, this is Look at Britain, for example, you can speak about what you want except the queen, this is "Taboo" This is prohibited they cannot be permitted, everywhere they put these warnings, why is dealing with the Holocaust taboo is prohibited among people , not one that speaks of it is a freedom of expression to criticize the killing of 6 million by gas furnaces, for example,

Now, what about the freedom to form political parties?Political action, I told you my brother this long and not enough in an interview, the subject of Political action, I told you my brother this long and not enough in an interview, the subject of Islamic theory in politics, but we say that if the regime is the true Islamic regime then you will find that the space given by the law to the useful work within structure of the state is very much larger than people imagine or than the claims of the enemies. This regime has the right to be asked and applied , as the Communist who does not believe in democracy and eliminates the innate things in humans, such as love of acquisitions, for example, this is the simplest rights.

According to your thoughts ,sheikh you would not be afraid to be classified by According to your thoughts ,sheikh you would not be afraid to be classified by Americans as a terrorist organization, as happened with Jabhat Annusrah ?Well , if our declare to our religion may cause a matter of classification ,lets them classify us , we Well , if our declare to our religion may cause a matter of classification ,lets them classify us , we believe in what we read in the book of Allah Almighty and the Sunnah of our Prophet peace be upon him, If this is the reason to classify of Ahrar Asham then congratulations to us , we ,my brother, do not pay attention to the classifications of the West because they are built in accordance to the interests of these countries, It does not runs from substantive consideration impartial, they are interested in where the interests of these administrations and these regimes lie.

Tell us about the Syrian Islamic Front that you are an essential part and what are their Tell us about the Syrian Islamic Front that you are an essential part and what are their components?It is formed from an eleven fighter groups on the ground , eight of them merged in the Islamic Ahrar Asham Movement , in addition to our brothers in other groups , the Alhaq Brigade in Homs and Ansar al-Sham in Latakia and Atawheed Army in Deir ez-Zor, and also later Aleman battalions joined in Idleb and also Alhaq battalions gathered in Hama, and we have dozens of requests from other battalions will be included some of them later.

Syrian Islamic Front was formed as a military and a political project too ?Yes, it is a framework for joint work , some may ask what is the difference between the movement Yes, it is a framework for joint work , some may ask what is the difference between the movement and the front and why the front and why the movement, the movement is now in line with us and merges the movement as there are groups or battalions merge in other components within the front, The action system in the front is a coalition in the field, Each component remains its independence and organizational structure and all work according to a certain format and scheduling and joint operations rooms.

What is the system that you look forward to apply it the future of Syria?It is the system where the rule is for the pure Islamic law , and be free system from the outside will It is the system where the rule is for the pure Islamic law , and be free system from the outside will and has its own decision , gives its people the most attention and the most prominent and wishes to restore some of old glories of the ummah and stands out among its nighbors and to raise its flag among nations.

Are government based on Islamic law exclusively? Or can be used for example other sources of legislation?What we see, my brother that Allah`s law is complete, and you need only consider the texts and What we see, my brother that Allah`s law is complete, and you need only consider the texts and derive rules.

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The second section_________________________

Will this system, which you look forward to be applied, accommodate everyoWill this system, which you look forward to be applied, accommodate everyo ne? Will everyone participate? All the components of the Syrian people?What country need from competencies and persons determined by its constitution and rules there is nothing wrong in it at all, you know that other religions had a role in the Abbasid state, doctors of caliphs were known who they are, and even in the state that arose in Andalusia, did not pass them era they have been harmed in it, until the era of the Islamic state that existed in Andalusia.

Yes, but I am talking now about participation of the rest components of the Syrian Yes, but I am talking now about participation of the rest components of the Syrian people, for example, Do you mind if arrived to the position of the ministry, for example, a Christian?Islamic Sharia ,my brother, has its controls and we do not go beyond these controls, where the authority is for sharia and who holds sharia deserves to govern, this is in short and simply .

Now we move to the form of the Country, some are talking about a republican Now we move to the form of the Country, some are talking about a republican parliamentary system, or a constitutional monarchy system, what is the form of the country you look forward to apply?It is a special Islamic state may intersect with this and intersects with another ,he is a Muslim ruler chosen by the people where there is what people want from the governor, this governor should be given the governance, and all this , my brother will be presented later and is published with the willing of Allah.

Ok ,method to select this ruler, how would they be?Ok ,method to select this ruler, how would they be?The method of selecting a ruler varies in the Islamic state, there are those as the monarchies now , for example, that the king appoints his successor, and also there was chosen senior nobles and wise men, there are those who were consulted by citizens all these methods, my brother are legitimate and nothing wrong with them.

Since you mentioned the name "coordinating body" What is your position on the National Coalition? What is the nature of the relationship? Is there cooperation, coordinate or contacts?My brother, as I told you , the coalition mainly is a opposition abroad and the opposition abroad lacks the interior depth , and this coalition does not differ from the characterization of external opposition in general.

Well, you do not confess , the coalition as a representative of the Syrian revolution?Coalition does not represent us they did not consult us and we as everyone knows an important Coalition does not represent us they did not consult us and we as everyone knows an important number in the Syrian arena, when issues made abroad and come later these groups to impose its vision; This is The core of exclusion and this is the essence of partisan projects enforcement that seen by a range of people and exclude the nation and its popular movement from participation in this matter. We say my brother that these components are made on the observer's eye and this observer is not local.

This is for the political leadership .For the military leadership Inside, why did not appear This is for the political leadership .For the military leadership Inside, why did not appear until now a unified military command of the Syrian revolution?This is not easy; there is two military movement in the Syrian Revolution, civilian popular This is not easy; there is two military movement in the Syrian Revolution, civilian popular movement bearing arms, and military defectors movement , It is time to honestly say, my brother the officers defections happened after the revolutionaries civilians, so the issue must be given to them so that they are rapporteurs to the fate of the revolution, this is the fact that we worried about - I want to clarify something- that the soldiers are not the same intellectual, are and there are those who defected there are those who defected because of a certain position, There are those who defected because they felt their interests in future on the side of the revolution. There are those who sent by the regime . We are in the Syrian revolution have seen from these patterns how they rampaged under the guise of revolution for the benefit of the regime in order to distort the revolution, and appear as a group of people who live on people's tragedies.

I'm not talking about the issue of the leadership of the revolution. Question that these are professional military defectors. in your point of view, what is their role in the revolution. Do you have a military defectors?My brother, We have soldiers and we have officers in Ahrar Asham movement and we pu them in the appropriate place in the military movement, but you tell me that military professionals!! the My brother, We have soldiers and we have officers in Ahrar Asham movement and we pu them in the appropriate place in the military movement, but you tell me that military professionals!! the major military works in the Syrian revolution carried out by the civilian revolutionaries, not military commanders did this nor plan and arrange such operations, We do not underestimate people's efforts . We say that the defectors officers are not equal . There are sincere, and we respect every officer or solider who defected when he saw injustice to his family and his people and said "no" and refused to continue in the army of tyranny and aggression against our people.

How is the relationship between you and the general components of the Syrian How is the relationship between you and the general components of the Syrian Revolution?It is a relationship of coordination, cooperation and joint work with everyone who wants to work to bring down the regime.

Without regard to political orientations?Without any consideration.

So, what is your position from Jabhat Annosrah?Jabhat Anosrah as the whole existing components we dealt with it on the basis that there is an Jabhat Anosrah as the whole existing components we dealt with it on the basis that there is an interim target we seek to achieve which is the overthrow of this regime and rid the nation of it, Therefore, we have several joint military operations and noticed their honest at work and steadfastness and bravery , classification of America did not stop us from continuing to work with them, we do not build our relations according to what imposed on us from outside, do or do not do, we proceed from; what's required by theummah`s interests and the interest of this wounded people bleeding wounds every day.

What is your position on what has happened in the inside Jabhat Annosrah ? Have you issued a statement in this regard, when Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi called to the annexation of the Sham. And what he called ameer of Sham . To a state called the Islamic state of Iraq and Sham. Have you issued a statement commenting on this matter?my brother our rejection of this was because of that the most important duties now is to push the my brother our rejection of this was because of that the most important duties now is to push the unjust aggressor enemy of our nation and our people . Not primarily now is enforcing of projects of each group. If they exist. We say that the people who are killed . their blood should be saved again .How ?By repelling the enemy by repelling the oppressor and his soldiers and his aides and allies who have come now from all sides . This situation of regionalization of frankness we refused at the beginning, but unfortunately that both parties sought in one way or another to be a reality now.

This is intended to be a reality, I mean , the Islamic state of Iraq and Sham?This is intended to be a reality, I mean , the Islamic state of Iraq and Sham?I mean regionalization conflict. First , The State of Iraq and Sham announced by al-Baghdadi , we see it collides with the priorities of the battle of Sham. Secondly we clarify our clear legitimate position about the declaration of a state like this , There is no doubt that many in this country wants to be governed by the laws of Allah and that the state constitution is Qur'an, but what nature shape what timing; this is, my brother, disagree with and we agree with many of the elements.

Now what do you do in the case if it were a long revolution .I mean it t is known that the Now what do you do in the case if it were a long revolution .I mean it t is known that the Syrian people have a certain ability to endurance , Now there are many tragedies. Is not there a dialogue initiative that may satisfy you. What are the concessions that can be offered by the regime and drive you to sit at the table of dialogue with the regime?my brother now, after two years and more of this revolution , we have sealed commandment with my brother now, after two years and more of this revolution , we have sealed commandment with seals of hundred thousand martyrs that sealed in blood , It is a commandment that we get to the end of the road and not stop in the middle of the road and accept half-solutions . Peoples revolutions must realize their goals no matter how long-lasting and who avoids this way , others will come instead .this matter will continue with the power of Almighty Allah.

Now there is an initiative to hold a conference in Geneva, the Geneva Conference II and Now there is an initiative to hold a conference in Geneva, the Geneva Conference II and there is a highly trend and high momentum of international and regional countries toward a dialogue with the regime, how will your position?We know my brother that this regime does not know only the language of war, oppression and tyranny. Does not know only the language of bloodshed and confiscation of freedoms . How can we trust it after we knew that regime well.

If you continue your refusal to dialogue initiatives, while the entire West wants dialogue If you continue your refusal to dialogue initiatives, while the entire West wants dialogue .Are not you afraid to be classified as a terrorist organization?Is the West is going to live in this country or the people of this country! Who will decide the fate ?Fate is decided by the people of this right, people of this matter, it will not be to the Assad regime and his staff any presence in the future of Sham . Allah willing.

Neighboring countries, the countries of the region, the countries that supported the Syrian regime?all of participated in regime aggression against our people and was an ally we say to him that all of participated in regime aggression against our people and was an ally we say to him that your destiny is death in Sham . Be prepared with your coffin you will back covered with the blood to the place that you came from . As for these countries , people do not give it any consideration, there is no place for Russia`s dreams of warm water in future of Syria . No place for Iran and its sickle . This project, which aimed to encircle our Muslim East, has no place in the future.

What do you mean by Shiite sickle?This is termed Crescent , but it is only a sickle stabbed in the side of this ummah . Persian Safavi This is termed Crescent , but it is only a sickle stabbed in the side of this ummah . Persian Safavi populist sickle ,Its purpose is to be an obstacle to the Muslim nation of advancement and restore the bygone glory again.

What is the position of Hezbollah in the future?This is not Hezbollah.This is Iranian party in Lebanon, it is a tool to implement Iran`s aims ,it is just an agent for it , we have seen now, when it reveal its face and its bloody reality, this party, we saw that all the lifted slogans of resistance is just a fake slogans over the last thirty years. Now Iranians Party in Lebanon is the spearhead in many locations in the regime when abandoned by its soldiers.

Israel?Israel?Israel is the aggressor enemy on the ummah , usurper of its land , this is indisputable for everyone has the least feeling in his heart towards the usurped rights of this ummah.

Ahrar al-Sham, some understand another meaning of the word " Sham" . Regionally meaning, clearly, do you have regional ambitions?Well ,my brother, we look forward to the day that we destroy with our hands Sykes-Picot walls Well ,my brother, we look forward to the day that we destroy with our hands Sykes-Picot walls which was imposed on us. It is a fact now and we do not go beyond that fact ,but what we look forward and hope to see that this ummah as a one entity again. We see that the European Union has removed the artificial borders and returned one nation without barbed wire , among countries that do not have integration factors as it exists in our ummah .We have the priority.

Sheikh Hassan Abboud, the leader of Ahrar Al-Sham movement and at the same time, the Sheikh Hassan Abboud, the leader of Ahrar Al-Sham movement and at the same time, the leader of the Syrian Islamic Front, thank you very much and thank you our dear viewers for your follow-up and peace be upon you.