It is well established that the jihadist groups outside of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and not aligned with it do not have the same wealth and resources of HTS to support their efforts on the ground in northwest Syria. The difference lies in the fact that these groups exert no real control over territory. As a result, they cannot make money through means such as fees of border crossings, taxation for services and so on. Instead, they generally have to rely on outside contributions and things seized in raids and operations against enemies. The recent security campaigns of HTS against many of these groups have also added to their woes.
Recently, a new online campaign was launched to support these jihadist groups. I feature the advertisement with translation below. It includes a Telegram contact and an avenue to donate via Bitcoin.
'The Almighty has said: 'And go forth lightly and heavily armed. And wage jihad with your wealth and lives in the path of God. That is better for you if you know' (al-Tawba 41).
Put an arrow in the quiver of Islam
To support the honest mujahideen on the soil of al-Sham.'
Today I conducted an interview with a source close to this campaign to learn more about the reasoning behind it.
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Q: Why is it incumbent on the Muslims to support the campaign?
A: So as to strengthen the force of the honest mujahideen on the soil of al-Sham, because they have no support for them after God, nor from their Ummah, after those who have assailed the components of their jihad have imposed themselves: people we thought were defending the Ummah, but behold they defend their interests and positions even if they are to relinquish establishment of the jihad and extinguish it in exchange for that.
Q: Is this campaign to support the factions of the 'So Be Steadfast' operations room?
A: Groups of the honest ones as we reckon them, and those who lead them.
Q: If the mujahid needs a Kalashnikov rifle for example, what is the required sum?
A: Approximately the price of the rifle is $300.
Q: Have the security campaigns against the factions led to deficiency in wealth and resources?
A: Brother from the outset the brothers have not had resources except what they seize as war spoils from the Nusayris. And you know that the resources in the liberated areas are in the hands of those who control them. Brother surely you are following the latest developments of the field as you are a media guy, and you have seen what has happened.
Q: Yes. Finally do you have a message for the Ummah regarding the jihad in al-Sham?
A: Of course brother. It is incumbent on the Ummah- an Ummah of the sword and the statement- to support its honest sons who offer the most precious of what they have in the path of recovering its glory and pride, who generously grant their lives and family. And indeed the Ummah of disbelief and the Cross is plotting against this blessed contingent and conspiring against them day and night and striking them with their fellow people and assassinating their leaders through drones and collaborators on the ground, and killing all who bear the thought that the Ummah is one and not divided, and that the battle of the Ummah is one in all forms, from its east to its west.