Syria's Al-Nusra issues bounties for Assad, Hezbollah chief
The head of the outfit says he would pay three million euros ($3.4 million) for anyone who can kill Bashar al-Assad
A Syrian man holding up portraits of President Bashar al-Assad and his Russian counterpart Valdimir Putin (L) joins several hundred people who gathered near the Russian embassy in Damascus on October 13, 2015 to express their support for Moscow's air war in Syria, just before two rockets struck the embassy compound sparking panic among the crowd. PHOTO: AFP
BEIRUT:
The head of Syria's Al-Qaeda affiliate has issued bounties worth millions of dollars for the killing of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the head of powerful Shia militant group Hezbollah.
In a voice recording released late Monday, head of Al-Nusra Front Abu Mohamed al-Jolani said he would pay "three million euros ($3.4 million) for anyone who can kill Bashar al-Assad and end his story".
"How long must Muslims delay their rights and shed their blood for a man who loves his power?" he asked.
Read: Syria's al Nusra calls on militants in Caucasus to attack Russia
The outfit's chief said he would pay out the sum even if a member of Assad's own family killed the head of state, and said Al-Nusra would protect the killer and his family.
Jolani also offered "an amount of two million euros ($2.2 million) for whoever kills (Hezbollah head) Hassan Nasrallah, even if it is a member of his own family or sect."
Hezbollah has intervened militarily in Syria's brutal conflict on behalf of Assad, dispatching thousands of fighters to various fronts across the country.
Read: Insurgent group pledges allegiance to al Qaeda's Syria wing
Jolani criticised efforts to reach a political solution to the four-year war, which has killed more than 240,000 people.
"The issue is transforming from the downfall of an infidel, corrupt, and unjust regime... to being limited to the mazes of a political solution," he said.
Syria's conflict began with anti-government demonstrations in March 2011 but has since devolved into a protracted multi-front civil war.
The head of Syria's Al-Qaeda affiliate has issued bounties worth millions of dollars for the killing of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the head of powerful Shia militant group Hezbollah.
In a voice recording released late Monday, head of Al-Nusra Front Abu Mohamed al-Jolani said he would pay "three million euros ($3.4 million) for anyone who can kill Bashar al-Assad and end his story".
"How long must Muslims delay their rights and shed their blood for a man who loves his power?" he asked.
Read: Syria's al Nusra calls on militants in Caucasus to attack Russia
The outfit's chief said he would pay out the sum even if a member of Assad's own family killed the head of state, and said Al-Nusra would protect the killer and his family.
Jolani also offered "an amount of two million euros ($2.2 million) for whoever kills (Hezbollah head) Hassan Nasrallah, even if it is a member of his own family or sect."
Hezbollah has intervened militarily in Syria's brutal conflict on behalf of Assad, dispatching thousands of fighters to various fronts across the country.
Read: Insurgent group pledges allegiance to al Qaeda's Syria wing
Jolani criticised efforts to reach a political solution to the four-year war, which has killed more than 240,000 people.
"The issue is transforming from the downfall of an infidel, corrupt, and unjust regime... to being limited to the mazes of a political solution," he said.
Syria's conflict began with anti-government demonstrations in March 2011 but has since devolved into a protracted multi-front civil war.