Both the Times and the Telegraph are running stories today about the defection of the commander of the second US-backed "Division 30" to Al-Qaeda, but it is the Daily Beast that gives the clearest assessment of what actually happened (see attached article). Over the weekend the second group of Division-30 fighters crossed into Syria from Turkey and according to some reports (plus the official Facebook page of the group's commander) the entire company of 71 fighters promptly turned themselves and their equipment over to the Al Nusrah Front, Al Qaeda's affiliate in the region. The defections have been a source of concern for US officials who fear they could embolden other jihadists to defect as well.
Both the Times and the Telegraph are running stories today about the defection of the commander of the second US-backed "Division 30" to Al-Qaeda, but it is the Daily Beast that gives the clearest assessment of what actually happened (see attached article). Over the weekend the second group of Division-30 fighters crossed into Syria from Turkey and according to some reports (plus the official Facebook page of the group's commander) the entire company of 71 fighters promptly turned themselves and their equipment over to the Al Nusrah Front, Al Qaeda's affiliate in the region. Some US sources are claiming that this is dis-information, but if true it may add some explanation as to the timing of yesterday's resignation of﻿ US anti-ISIS envoy General Allen.