Still more proof that the Obama administration can’t distinguish “moderates” from “extremists.” And how could it possibly do so, when it refuses even to admit the existence of the ideology of Islamic jihad?
“British Journo: Syrian Kidnapper Who Shot Me Twice Is Now a CIA-Vetted ‘Moderate,'” by Patrick Poole, PJ Media, September 3, 2016:
British reporter Anthony Loyd recounts in The Times (UK) today his reaction when he saw his former Syrian “rebel” kidnapper Hakim Abu Jamal, aka Abdel Hakim al-Yaseen and Hakim Anza, celebrating a victory in northern Syria two weeks ago as part of a supposedly CIA-vetted “moderate” rebel group.
Loyd reports (The Times article is behind a paywall; link is to same article in The Australian):
It was with some surprise watching a video of a victorious band of western-backed rebels that I noticed the face of America’s newest ally in the war against Isis in Syria.
It was the face of a man I last saw in May 2014 when he leant forward to shoot me twice in the left ankle at almost point-blank range while my hands were tied. It was punishment for having attempted to escape his gang of kidnappers in northern Syria who had hoped to sell me on.He shot me in the middle of a crowd of onlookers, after a savage preliminary beating, denouncing me as “a CIA spy”. Now, it seems, he works with them.
The grainy footage of the video – posted last month on Facebook – showed Hakim Abu Jamal waving his Kalashnikov in the air to proclaim a small victory, courtesy of US air power, on a dusty street in the border town of al-Rai.
I remember him well from across the years. Now, Hakim, forage cap on his head, was standing in the middle of a group of ten other Syrian rebel fighters all belonging to a CIA-vetted group.
The group was backed by Turkish artillery and US airstrikes to oust Isis fighters from a key stretch of road before the capture of the town of Jarabulus last month. Hakim Abu Jamal, who also goes by the names Abdel Hakim al-Yaseen and Hakim Anza, was among the hundreds of other Syrian rebels who crossed from Turkey into Syria two weeks ago to purge ISIS.
And it seems that U.S. authorities aren’t eager to respond to questions about their newly minted “moderate” rebels:
Last month, however, video surfaced of Hakim Anza proving that he was not only free, but was also serving in a CIA-vetted Syrian rebel group, First Regiment (al-Fawj al-Awwal), which was receiving US weaponry, including Tow missiles, as well as air strikes in support of their operations. In between times he appears to be based in southern Turkey, where he takes orders from the Hawar Kilis Operations room.Four US hostages were murdered in Syria in 2014. Two British hostages were also beheaded there. The memories of Britain and America must be short, for on Friday sources in the Free Syrian Army and US confirmed Hakim Anza’s membership of the CIA-backed group, in which he is sub-commander.
Centcom, the US Central Command, did not respond to Times requests over three days this week to explain how such a well-known hostage taker with family connections to extremists could have passed US vetting procedures.
However, a Pentagon official, who preferred not to be named, described repeated US air support for a recent mission conducted by vetted Syrian rebel groups, where Hakim Anza was filmed with his men on August 17. He has apparently transformed effortlessly from criminal pariah to a worthy foot soldier allied to Operation Inherent Resolve, the 60-nation coalition, motto “One Mission, Many Nations”, in the Middle East to fight ISIS.
Remarkably, the New York Times reported four years ago from Hakim’s camp, where he was observed engaging in war crimes, namely, sending a Syrian regime prisoner to a Syrian Army checkpoint under the ruse of a prisoner exchange, but wiring the vehicle to remotely explode once it arrived at the checkpoint. In a video accompanying the NYT article, Hakim appears dejected when informed the bomb did not detonate.
This is hardly the first time that U.S.-backed “rebels” have been responsible for kidnapping Western journalists….

duh swami says
I think the authorities know the difference, they just don’t care…Caring is not on the agenda…
Lion of Judah's Cub says
The Syrian rebel groups are largely Muslim Brotherhood member-groups – cousins to ISIS. Their main dispute is which group of moslem elites will rule.
I recall Trump stating that Obama and Hillary are founders of ISIS.
Allan says
This story reminded me of “Charlie Wilson’s War”, an amusing dramatization of a Texan congressman’s efforts to increase American involvement in Afghanistan against the USSR. The film is given 82% rating on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes. There is also “The True Story of Charlie Wilson’s War”, although I haven’t seen it.
Angemon says
Another item on the ever-increasing “CIA’s most embarrassing blunders” list…
TR says
The CIA has been full of operatives since it was started. OSS had their share. Is there an operative running CIA now?
Saoirse says
why would anyone even think they don’t know what they are doing ?
and the same applies to our own problems with illegal aliens, the imported islamos and now these alleged syrians being imported.
they know damn well exactly what they are doing.
Lion of Judah's Cub says
It’s funny how the CIA and other government actors in US and elsewhere tend to create the endless need for weapons and military equipment that certain manufacturers in US, Canada and Europe continually supply. In other words, beware the military industrial complex.
Read the interesting book, Prophets of War by William Hartung (2011).
Johan Elzinga says
Remarkable that Turkey, who has been known to support Isis in the past, is allowed to kill the Kurds in this region with any means possible, getting the armed support of the US. Kurds being the only faction that so far effectively fought against IS in this part of the region. Turkey under the dictator Erdogan, locking up and letting disappear any critic, journalist or schoolteacher who is in his way. I’m getting flashbacks about the Pinochet regime that massacred and tortured thousands of its own citizens, helped and armed by the CIA. History always keeps repeating itself.
gravenimage says
UK journo: Syrian kidnapper who shot me twice is now a CIA-vetted “moderate”
Still more proof that the Obama administration can’t distinguish “moderates” from “extremists.”
……………………….
Insanity. And it is one that goes beyond considering a Muslim a “moderate” with no proof–still dangerous, but more understandable. This is assuming a violent Jihadist is somehow “rehabilitated”.
shropster says
An “extremist” wants to kill you.
A moderate wants an extremist to kill you.
A “rehabilitated” Jihadist is one that has been killed.
Are you clear now about these definitions?
Nan Barr says
The US backed rebels also kidnapped two Greek Orthodox Bishops and murdered their driver, a deacon in the Church over 3 years ago. I read about this several months ago on a Christian web site. I understand they are believed to have murdered in captivity, as no ransom demands were made.
Shinley9 says
Did Anthony Loyd make a full recovery or must he use a walker, wheelchair or prosthetic.?
desidude2 says
Putin is right, Obama and his CIA are using criminals and thugs as proxies in their war against Assad and Syria. Hillary and Obama are both complicate in the resulting war and killings as well as the refugee problem. It has already been established that Obama and Hillary helped form ISIS by our haphazard and ill advised withdrawal from Iraq. specially after Bush had warned obama about creating a power vacuum for muslim radicals to fill if he withdrew the troops.
Christianblood says
desidude2 posted
(..Putin is right, Obama and his CIA are using criminals and thugs as proxies in their war against Assad and Syria..)
You are exactly right. That is what a group called “US Peace Council Representatives” found out in their trip to Syria recently. Please watch their findings on the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yc-RmAVK8Pg
Nam Marine says
Because Obama supports radical Islam ! Over half of his Administration is Muslim !
Lioness says
All “moderates” are nothing but islaimists in sheep’s clothing. When you dig deeper, you will find just another garden variety of jihadis.
Jerry says
Not surprising.
The US originally sponsored the Taliban in Afghanistan.
The US sponsored the overthrow of the Shah of Iran and
helped the Ayatoullahs gain power.
The US originally sponsored Saadam Hussein during his
conflict with Iran.
The US supported th Muslim Brotherhood attempt to
take over Egypt despite the fact that the MB are the
ideological parents of Al Qaeda and Hamas.
The US has sponsored the Islamist terrorist regime
in Pakistan despite Pakistan sponsoring terrorism
through the Pakistani Taliban in Afghanistan and
the Haqqani terrorists in Kasmir and against India.
But, not to worry:
The Saudis and Qataris have sponsored the
election and reelection campaigns of Hussein
Barak Obama – a fake Christian born in Kenya
who conveniently has a dubious. second birth
certificate from Hawwai, and are actively
sponsoring Hillary Rodham Clinton election
campaign and has a “moderate” Jihaddi
supporter PA.
Under the Obamination regime, the US
Home Security is riddled with Jihaddi
supporting Muslims who check up
non Muslims, just in case they may,
under most unlikely circumstances
a non Muslim terrorist.
I would happily bet with odds of one
thousand to one on the odds against
finding a non Muslim terrorist trying
to board a plane in the USA. Not
impossible, just very unlikely.