More than a decade ago, the English-language 'Inspire' magazine began to be published by al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula. Issues of the magazine have included exhortations to jihad and tactics for engaging in jihad. Unsurprisingly, the magazine has attracted considerable interest in the world of jihadism analysis.

Similar initiatives continue to emerge in the realm of online jihadist material. One example is the 'Wolves of Manhattan Magazine,' issued by the al-Malahem Electronic Army (aka al-Malahem Cyber Army) that is supportive of al-Qa'ida. Issued in Arabic, French and English, the magazine is described as 'a guide for lone wolves in the Crusaders' land.'

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Besides the incorporation of military factions with roots in former rebel groups of northwest Syria into the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), there is also a civilian administration body that works with the Autonomous Administration backed by the SDF and has its roots in the northwest. This body is called the Green Idlib Council, which is based in Raqqa and serves as a liaison between displaced people from Idlib currently residing in the SDF-held areas and the Autonomous Administration. The Green Idlib Council hopes to be able to return someday to Idlib.

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As readers of this blog know, I sometimes document for historical purposes the lives of individual fighters who have died during the war in Syria. In this case I document the life of Ammar Haitham Jardi, an early 'martyr' of the National Ideological Resistance who fought in the ranks of the Republican Guard.

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A variety of jihadist channels and personalities inhabit the realm of Telegram. One of them is the 'Warith al-Qassam,' known for being supportive of al-Qa'ida. Today I conducted an interview with 'Warith al-Qassam' regarding the assessment of the state of the jihad in northwest Syria amid the dominance of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (which evolved from Jabhat al-Nusra and ended its affiliation with al-Qa'ida) and its continued crackdown on the al-Qa'ida-loyalist group Hurras al-Din, as well as the rise of new jihadist groups claiming operations against the Turkish army and Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham. Any parenthetical insertions in square brackets are my own.

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Various military formations in Syria occasionally post recruitment advertisements on social media. One recent case is that of Saraya al-Ra'ad of the Iranian-backed Local Defence Forces. The announcement was posted recently via Facebook, offering a WhatsApp number for contact.

I contacted this number and it turns out that the terms of recruitment are as follows:

- Taswiyat al-wad' ('regularisation of status') for those who have evaded the draft and deserted and are wanted for reserve service. There are also contracts for civilians.

- Salary of 100,000 Syrian pounds per month, with food expenses on the shoulder of the formation.

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