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<h1><big><big><big>Islamic State was born in NATO camps</big></big></big></h1>
<big><big><big> </big></big></big>
<div class="b-op_edge_authors"><big><big><big> <a
href="http://rt.com/op-edge/authors/andre-vltchek/"> <img
src="cid:part1.07040200.00090001@comcast.net"> </a> </big></big></big>
<p><big><big><big> Andre Vltchek is a novelist, filmmaker and
investigative journalist. He has covered wars and
conflicts in dozens of countries.
</big></big></big></p>
<big><big><big> </big></big></big></div>
<big><big><big> </big></big></big>
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<div id="get-short-url"><big><big><big> <a
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<big><big><big> <span class="time"> Published time: September
29, 2014 20:11 </span> </big></big></big></div>
<big><big><big> </big></big></big>
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class="article_img"><big><big><big><img style="float: none;
margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title=""
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alt="Entrance to Apaydin camp (Photo by Andre Vltchek)"></big></big></big>
<p class="article_img_footer"><big><big><big>Entrance to Apaydin
camp (Photo by Andre Vltchek)</big></big></big></p>
</div>
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<big><big><big> </big></big></big></div>
<big><big><big> </big></big></big>
<div class="b-tags_trends"><big><big><big> </big></big></big>
<div class="b-tags_trends-hrcol"><big><big><big> </big></big></big>
<p><big><big><big>Tags</big></big></big></p>
<big><big><big> <a href="http://rt.com/tags/arms/">Arms</a>, <a
href="http://rt.com/tags/army/">Army</a>, <a
href="http://rt.com/tags/clashes/">Clashes</a>, <a
href="http://rt.com/tags/conflict/">Conflict</a>, <a
href="http://rt.com/tags/human-rights/">Human rights</a>,
<a href="http://rt.com/tags/iraq/">Iraq</a>, <a
href="http://rt.com/tags/middle-east/">Middle East</a>,
<a href="http://rt.com/tags/military/">Military</a>, <a
href="http://rt.com/tags/nato/">NATO</a>, <a
href="http://rt.com/tags/politics/">Politics</a>, <a
href="http://rt.com/tags/syria/">Syria</a>, <a
href="http://rt.com/tags/turkey/">Turkey</a>, <a
href="http://rt.com/tags/uk/">UK</a>, <a
href="http://rt.com/tags/usa/">USA</a>, <a
href="http://rt.com/tags/violence/">Violence</a>, <a
href="http://rt.com/tags/war/">War</a> </big></big></big></div>
<big><big><big> </big></big></big></div>
<big><big><big> </big></big></big>
<p><big><big><big>The West and its client states in the Middle East
are now bombing Islamic State (ISIS) positions in Syria,
killing both militants and civilians, violating countless
international laws and treaties.</big></big></big></p>
<big><big><big> </big></big></big>
<p><big><big><big> Oil installations inside Syria are in flames; the
West <em>“informed”</em> Damascus that the bombing campaign
could take three years, as if it would be the sole owner of
the Middle East.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> The fact that it is done with no international
endorsement is by now not surprising anybody.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> There is nothing standing on the way of this
campaign; no air force is defending Syrian territory, no
surface-to-air-missiles are fired.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> Yet, the US and the UK make no secret that this
is not just a campaign to debilitate ISIS positions. The US
is openly declaring alliance with the <em>“moderate
opposition forces”</em> inside Syria, which essentially
means those forces that are fighting to overthrow the
government of President Assad.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> Damascus’ plea for a broader coalition to fight
ISIS is being ignored. No wonder – for years Islamic State
(or ISIS) was actually an integrated part of the <em>“opposition
movement”</em> supported, trained and financed by the West
and its regional allies.
</big></big></big></p>
<h2><big><big><big> Hezbollah is already fighting IS
</big></big></big></h2>
<p><big><big><big> The excuse or justification, for the latest
attacks against Syria, is simple. British Prime Minister
David Cameron told lawmakers: <em>"This is not a threat on
the far side of the world. Left unchecked, we will face a
terrorist caliphate on the shores of the Mediterranean."</em>
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> By this, he was perhaps referring to that short
Syrian Mediterranean coastline dotted with the cities like
Latakia and Tartus, but also, most likely, to the entire
Lebanon, which, according to a regional analyst, Michael
Jansen, <em>“...is already the third battlefront in the war
against the Islamic State (IS) and, like embattled Syria
and Iraq, it has neither the political unity needed, nor
the material means to fight its battle.”</em>
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> It is enough to read Daily Security Information
Reports by UNSIOC in Lebanon to see how serious the
situation really is. There are incursions from Syrian soil
by the militants, kidnappings and constant arrests.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> But most of the people in the region would
definitely disagree with both Mr. Obama and Mr. Cameron
about on whose shoulders rests the responsibility for this
disastrous state of things.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> </big></big></big></p>
<div style="float: none; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;"
class="article_img"><big><big><big><img
src="cid:part27.01040701.05070708@comcast.net"
alt="Apaydin Camp (Photo by Andre Vltchek)" style="float:
none; margin: 0px;"></big></big></big>
<p class="article_img_footer"><big><big><big>Apaydin Camp (Photo
by Andre Vltchek)</big></big></big></p>
</div>
<p><big><big><big> Outspoken leader of Hezbollah, Sayyed Hasan
Nasrallah, spelled out his take on the situation, in
Lebanon, on September 23, 2014:
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> <em>“We are against American military
intervention and an international coalition in Syria,
whether that [action] is against the Syrian regime or
Daesh (ISIS)... Under the false pretext of fighting
terrorism the U.S. seeks to take control of the region...”</em>
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> Hezbollah is actually already fighting ISIS, but,
despite its great popularity in Lebanon and in the region,
and its inclusiveness and great social projects (or maybe
because of them), the organization is on the list of
terrorist groups, at least in the US and in several European
countries.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> It appears that the West is making sure that
Lebanon remains defenseless, even as it appears likely that
ISIS could soon intensify its attacks or to make a decisive
dash across the border, from Syrian territory. Weapons from
France had not been delivered yet, partially because France
<em>“worries”</em> that they could be used against Israel.
The US is blocking any purchase of Russian weapons by
Lebanon (Defense Minister of Lebanon, Ms. Nouhad Mashnouk
visited Moscow trying to secure delivery of Russian-made
arms), because of <em>“the tension between the West and
Russia over Ukraine.”</em>
</big></big></big></p>
<h2><big><big><big> Region ruined, West controls the game
</big></big></big></h2>
<p><big><big><big> The situation is extremely complex but what is
clear is that the West is pressing all the control buttons
in the <em>“game.”</em>
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> It helped to create and to strengthen <em>“Syrian
opposition,” including its most radical elements like
Islamic State. The goal was to depose President Assad. Now
when the ISIS went “out of control,”</em> and began
gaining territory in both Iraq and Syria, their brutality
and military success are used as justification for direct
intervention in Syria.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> It is becoming clear that no matter what,
President Assad would never be allowed to win; even if (and
perhaps especially if) he is supported by the majority of
the Syrian people.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> As a result of actions taken by the West, both
Iraq and Syria are now fully destabilized, or more
precisely, they are in ruins.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> </big></big></big></p>
<div style="float: none; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;"
class="article_img"><big><big><big><img
src="cid:part28.03040204.02020800@comcast.net" alt="Hidden
camera Jordan - Syrian border (Photo by Andre Vltchek)"
style="float: none; margin: 0px;"></big></big></big>
<p class="article_img_footer"><big><big><big>Hidden camera Jordan
- Syrian border (Photo by Andre Vltchek)</big></big></big></p>
</div>
<p><big><big><big> Lebanon does not even have fully functioning
government or sound military, and may be swept away by the
destructive tide.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> The region is now literally flooded with millions
of refugees.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> And the West is once again pounding the area with
Tomahawk missiles and bombs. Several pro-Western Arab
regimes that are co-responsible for the situation in Syria
and Iraq - Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the
United Arab Emirates - have joined the <em>“campaign,”</em>
by offering their jets. This way, there is some illusion of
legitimacy - their handlers in Washington can trumpet to the
world that <em>“they are not in it alone.”</em>
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> While the <em>“threat of terrorism”</em> and <em>“danger
to the region and its people”</em> are quoted as the main
justifications for the military action, there is really very
little logic in those arguments, and many citizens of the
Middle East now simply believe that the West is aiming at
the overthrowing of the government of Syrian President
Assad, at creating an independent, oil-rich, and pro-Western
Kurdish state, and possibly even at igniting conflict with
neighboring Iran.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> It is also understood that things could get
resolved without the Western bombing campaign; through the
channels that the US and EU would never use: governments in
Damascus and Teheran would have to stop being pushed into
the corner. In fact, Syria and Lebanon would have to be
allowed to rearm and to be allowed to fight their own
enemies. And Iran would have to be encouraged to join the
fight against the Islamic State (ISIS).
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> On 21 September 2014, AP reported:<em>“Syria's
parliament speaker said Sunday that the US should work
with Damascus to battle the Islamic State extremist group
rather than allying with nations which he accused of
supporting terrorism. Speaker Jihad Laham was apparently
referring to Saudi Arabia and other countries backing
rebels trying to overthrow Syrian President Bashar Assad.”</em>
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> But the West is not aiming at resolving the
crises. It is pushing and fighting for full domination of
the region.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> It is playing chess with both white and black
pieces. In between are tens of millions of people, and
entire nations. Every move terminates countless lives.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> </big></big></big></p>
<div style="float: none; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;"
class="article_img"><big><big><big><img
src="cid:part29.00020509.00070203@comcast.net"
alt="Barricaded government building in Beirut (Photo by
Andre Vltchek)" style="float: none; margin: 0px;"></big></big></big>
<p class="article_img_footer"><big><big><big>Barricaded government
building in Beirut (Photo by Andre Vltchek)</big></big></big></p>
</div>
<h2><big><big><big> Create them, use them, fight them
</big></big></big></h2>
<p><big><big><big> ISIS did not fall from the sky. They were armed,
financed and trained in the refugee camps built for <em>“Syrian
refugees,”</em> in Turkey and Jordan. Both countries are
staunch allies of the West; Turkey is on top of it a member
of NATO.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> Several regional reporters, including Turkish
investigative journalist Huseyin Guler and Ulusal’s TV
documentary filmmaker Serkan Koc, identified the camps as
training facilities, particularly Apaydin in the vicinity of
Hatay, near the Turkish border.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> The fact that Jordan is offering its territory
for purposes of <em>“training the opposition”</em> is no
secret. Earlier this year I worked in two refugee camps near
the Jordan-Syrian border: an old and overcrowded Zaatari
Camp and one new one, which is still only partially
operational – Azraq.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> From testimonies given to me by both refugees and
local inhabitants, Zaatari Camp has been used as a training
facility for <em>“Syrian opposition fighters,”</em> for
years. In the area, there was a clear presence of both Saudi
and Qatari cadres.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> The AP reported: <em>“Jordan is… officially
denying that any training of anti-Assad fighters takes
place on its soil, though both Jordanian and American
officials have acknowledged it does.”</em>
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> The National, a daily newspaper published in the
United Arab Emirates, reported on December 28 2013:
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> <em>“A command centre in Amman or "operations
room" as Syrian rebels describe it, gives military advice
to the Free Syrian Army and channels weapons to them for
their fight against Bashar Al Assad's regime… Rebels say
there is also a complex, shadowy system of weapons
movement, with diverse, sometimes parallel, supply routes.
The command centre works with the FSA and the Supreme
Military Council - the FSA high command headed by General
Selim Idriss and allied with the Syrian National
Coalition, the opposition political alliance backed by
Arab states and the West.”</em>
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> I investigated the situation on the
Turkish-Syrian border, in the vicinity of the city of Hatay,
on several occasions, for both the documentary film I was
producing for Venezuelan TV channel TeleSur, and for several
of my written reports.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> The tolerant and multi-cultural city of Hatay has
been living in fear for years, terrorized by those
machinegun-waving bearded jihadi cadres who were
transplanted there from Saudi Arabia and from the rest of
the Gulf, in order to train and radicalize Syrian <em>“opposition
fighters.”</em>
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> Apayadin Camp is where many of the ISIS fighters
have their roots.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> </big></big></big></p>
<div style="float: none; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;"
class="article_img"><big><big><big><img
src="cid:part30.02020306.00050005@comcast.net"
alt="Entrance to Incirlik base near Adana (Photo by Andre
Vltchek)" style="float: none; margin: 0px;"></big></big></big>
<p class="article_img_footer"><big><big><big>Entrance to Incirlik
base near Adana (Photo by Andre Vltchek)</big></big></big></p>
</div>
<p><big><big><big> Serkan Koc, who has produced several
groundbreaking works on the subject of the <em>“Syrian
opposition,”</em> explained to me in Istanbul:
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> <em>“Of course you do realize that those people
are not really ‘Syrian opposition.’ They are modern-day
legionnaires collected from various Arab countries,
including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, paid by Western
imperialist powers. Some are members of Al-Qaeda and other
terrorist organizations. Most are militant Sunni Muslims.
One could describe them as rogue elements hired to fight
the Assad government.”</em>
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> Some of those legionnaires, including those who
belong to Islamic State (ISIS) had mutated and began wearing
several hats (President Assad was warning for months that
they would). They are still after President Assad whom they
mainly hate for being secular, and for belonging to the
Alawite sect, which is considered to be heretical in some
Sunni Muslim circles, especially in the most radical ones.
But now they are also after non-Muslims and non-Arabs, even
after the interests of those who actually helped them to
come to life – the West.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> All this is not unlike how al-Qaida was born. It
mutated from Western-trained and financed Mujahedeen that
were first involved in the fighting against the Democratic
Republic of Afghanistan (DRA) and later the Soviet Union.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> The West is historically using, even grooming,
the most horrendous allies, be it Mujahedeen in Afghanistan,
the military and religious cadres in 1965 Indonesia, fascist
military in Chile, Paraguay and Argentina, or present-day
Ukrainian fascists crews.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> <em>“Syrian opposition”</em> is just one of the
latest editions. It is clear who is benefiting: the military
and political establishment of the West, which supplies the
weapons, destabilizes countries, even entire regions, and
tries to establish full control over the world.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> Then, if and when the situation changes and a
former client’s movements go gaga, there is always another
use for them: they can serve as a justification for direct
invasions and further militarization of the regions and the
entire planet.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> First you create them, then you use them, and in
the end you fight them.
</big></big></big></p>
<p><big><big><big> <em>“The only victims”</em> are millions of
people who are dying and becoming internally displaced in
the regions destroyed by these brutal imperialist games.
</big></big></big></p>
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