"Experts" Fail To Debunk Todenhöfer Al-Qaeda Interview
The Todenhöfer interview with an al-Qaeda commander (video) has al-Qaeda promoters on the edge. They now try to come up with all kind of nonsense to explain that the interview is a "hoax".
UPDATE (Sep28): Todenhöfer now responded to the "hoax" allegations and complete refutes them. END-UPDATE
One "Syrian activist", Mohamed Al Neser, started a chain with a curious claim against the veracity of the interview by looking at this picture taken during the interview by Jörg Todenhöfer's son Frederick.
Mohamed Al Neser @M_AlneserNice try Todenhöfer but "AlQaeda" commander with golden ring is 8th wonder
11:44 AM - 26 Sep 2016
Oh, really? Osama Bin Laden was the 8th world-wonder?
Hassan Hassan, a Gulf stooge hyping war against Syria, has long been very protective of Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaeda's branch in Syria. He picks up the claim above and remarks:
Hassan Hassan Verified account @hxhassanHassan Hassan Retweeted Mohamed Al Neser
Indeed -- an AQ commander wearing gold isn't the most credible of pictures.
12:07 PM - 26 Sep 2016
Not credible?
One self declared anti-Syria expert with exactly one (bad) piece published in his whole life, Tobias Schneider, joins the sad club:
Tobias Schneider @tobiaschneider(4) As @hxhassan pointed out earlier, the purported "Nusra commander" is wearing a golden ring - a complete and utter no-go for jihadists.
7:16 AM - 27 Sep 2016
A "complete and utter no-go"? Also for one Abu Musab al Zarqawi? As ABCNEWS reported on May 13 2004 (copied here):
Crucial clues into the masked men seen in the videotaped beheading of American Nicholas Berg may come from the tape itself, as well as Berg's body, federal investigators involved in the case say.After analyzing the audio of the tape, the CIA has concluded with "high probability" that the masked speaker, who also carried out the beheading, is Abu Musab al Zarqawi, the top al Qaeda figure in Iraq.
...
A close examination of the tape shows none of the five masked men is wearing gloves, so federal officials are trying to determine if there are any tell-tale tattoos on their hands. One of the clues the FBI and CIA is studying is the large gold ring Zarqawi is wearing on his right hand, giving off a glare several times during the six-minute tape.
That should say it all about the credibility of those "experts" who try to discredit the Todenhöfer interview. Notice how they copy from each other. They are their own echo-chamber, well financed but mostly clueless. Over the next days we will likely see more such "experts" making the same nonsense claim.
Another claim against the veracity of the interview is that no al-Qaeda commander would ever admit to get indirect help from the U.S. and direct support from Israel. But it has been obvious for years to everyone watching that weapons going to U.S. proxy forces in Syria are systematically handed over to al-Qaeda. The few fighters the Pentagon trained admitted that they did so. Israel has for years been seen and publicly admitted helping the Jihadis in the Golan heights. The al-Qaeda dude in the interview did not spell any secret. He just repeated what is publicly known. How does that challenge the veracity of the interview?
In the interview the AQ commander also claims that some U.S. and other experts are with them and train them in technical specialties. That sounds dubious or at least exaggerated until you read this recent piece by U.S. special operators who themselves claim exactly the same (and hate it).
The war mongers and Gulf lobbyists in Washington DC have launched a new propaganda campaign to prevent the liberation of al-Qaeda occupied east-Aleppo by the Syrian army. They demand air attacks and cruise missile swarms against Syrian and Russian planes and installations. The Todenhöfer interview comes at the worst moment for them. They will try everything to attack its credibility. So far they have failed.
Posted by b on September 27, 2016 at 17:48 UTC | Permalink
i see you have it at the top and it says i can get the english data, but it isn't working for me.. thanks..
Posted by: james | Sep 27 2016 18:06 utc | 2
The MSM have ignored this important development and will continue to do so -- it would be difficult to compete with the Clinton-Trump debate monopolizing the news,in any event.
Posted by: chet380 | Sep 27 2016 18:38 utc | 4
This is evidence of pure desperation. The blowback from the Deir ez Zor treachery has only just started.
As further evidence of the increasing desperation of the carefully vetted moderate head chopping takfiris, a video has been released of their latest munitions delivery system - the cache cow.
Possibly NSFW
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuORYzvbQlU
Posted by: Yonatan | Sep 27 2016 19:34 utc | 5
chet380 @4--
Yes, the Propaganda System has ignored the denial statement issued by DoS idiot Toner that was published by RT and Sputnik, https://www.rt.com/usa/360700-syria-nusra-state-department/ https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160926/1045725253/us-denies-providing-tow-nusra-front.html Perhaps using something other than google would provide more results from non-English publications.
Toner's denials are lies as we all know; and as I wrote yesterday, the information provided by the interview would be of greater benefit to those citizens struggling to regain their sovereignty by ousting Imperial Stormtroopers stationed within their nation. One thing Toner wasn't quoted as saying was that the interview was bogus, although I rather doubt he read it. I had my own doubts about authenticity, but these very poor efforts to discredit the source essentially validate it instead--Oops!
Posted by: karlof1 | Sep 27 2016 19:35 utc | 6
The war on the ground with real soldiers has been lost by the US. The information war now comes front and center - good, it's time to win that war too. The only thing the US has left to fight with is propaganda and false flags. Its strategic assets of mercenary proxies are being exposed and neutralized. Only tactics remain, an air strike here, a convoy bombing there. None of these tactical outbursts change the strategic situation on the ground.
But its propaganda is still fighting a strategic war, and its divisions sweep down from the hills into the plain of battle, to win or lose.
What the US doesn't understand is that its relentless propaganda will have all the usual setbacks that occur in real battles, gains and losses. The difference is that with each less than perfect ploy, it's the propaganda weaponry that is the only thing showing. The propaganda itself is suddenly shown to be fighting like a soldier. And it too is running low on ammunition, and must eventually tire, and fall under a counterattack, in the full sight of the world.
It's like the Rorschach illustration - you keep seeing the shining city on the hill until one day in an instant the foreground and the background change places and suddenly all you can see is the smoking gun and the dead children.
The US is digging its own grave through its false flags. And it's writing its own obituary through its own propaganda.
Posted by: Grieved | Sep 27 2016 19:40 utc | 7
Reporter: Well, Mr. Hitman, we have rumors that you have butchered thousands of people in the last 5 years. Would you care to comment?
Hitman: Sure, I'd love to comment. Come on in my cave and have a seat. Yeah, I killed them and cut off their heads.
Reporter: Just what we thought. And who is paying you, or is this just a hobby?
Hitman: Why, Don Corleone. He pays me, provides me with guns and ammo, and picks my targets. The decapitation part is a hobby.
Reporter: Thank you for the interview. Can we use your name?
Hitman: Sure, be sure to spell it right.
Reporter: We'll now broadcast this to the entire world.
Hitman: Yeah . . . whatever. Always glad to help the press.
Oh, yeah. The whole thing makes perfect sense.
The German government & media also have things from which they would like to divert attention, most notably the precarious position of their largest bank, and as a result, of their entire financial sector. When the combined savings of the post-war generation is about to vaporize, what better than a mumbly religious nut in eccentric clothes holding an assault rifle?
"Bezzle" is the word that describes the double-counting in the fractional reserve banking system.
from the Old French besillier, to ravage.
Posted by: S.H.E. | Sep 27 2016 20:01 utc | 9
It was a very good interview and very hard to 'debunk'. So the mainstream media's strategy is to simply ignore it. At least that's how it is being done in Germany. Afterall, the publishing newspaper is just a tiny local paper.
Posted by: astras | Sep 27 2016 20:04 utc | 10
> The war on the ground with real soldiers has been lost by the US.
For the foreign terrorists there is no hope of military victory; only delaying the inevitable as the SAA and Russia secure the remaining major cities in Syria.
But there are increasing numbers of reports of US troops being embedded with the terrorists. The US is as absolutely crazy as it sounds effectively using US troops as human shields for Al-Qaeda and other jihadist terror groups.
Given the continuous sickening attempts by Putin to foolishly make endless attempts at treating the US as 'partners', one has to assume the US will:
* Continue sending US troops to be embedded with more and more jihadist groups throughout Syria
* Give warnings to Russia to stay away from all of these groups
Putin will once again come up with some worthless 'agreement' with their 'American partners' where Russia and Syria do not attack any terror groups with embedded US troops.
With Russia and Syria paralyzed the US will start treating the territories occupied by their terror groups as a defacto partition of Syria.
Hopefully President Assad is still furious enough about the US coming to the aid of IS in Deir ez-Zor and will not let Putin sabotage the war against the foreign terrorists with yet another sham 'agreement' and make it absolutely clear to the US that any American troops embedded with jihadist groups will be taken out.
Posted by: Stevens | Sep 27 2016 20:14 utc | 11
Putin hasn't "sabotaged" anything; indeed, his action to intervene saved the Syrian state and millions of its people. The main goal of the negotiations is to show there's no such thing as a "moderate" terrorist, and that's now been proven and shoved in the face of the Outlaw US Empire.
Posted by: karlof1 | Sep 27 2016 20:29 utc | 12
an even more recent example:
and we know how those devout "muslims" in the gulf states (y'know, the ones who send piles of cash to the takfirtards) hate ostentatious displays of wealth. they HATE yachts and trips to europe and fast cars. being devout and such. and totally muslim.
Posted by: the pair | Sep 27 2016 20:32 utc | 13
RT interviews the journalist who calls Outlaw US Empire's statements false, https://www.rt.com/news/360865-us-arms-terrorists-syria/
Posted by: karlof1 | Sep 27 2016 20:36 utc | 14
The Vietnamese Viet Cong was trained and supplied by the CIA during the 50ies when it was still called the Viet Minh and fought France. When US special forces train Al-Qaida just like during the eighties it's history repeating itself year after year. These animals used as pawns for foreign policy should actually be grateful that it's the jihadis who serve as cannon fodder instead of them.
Posted by: hochi | Sep 27 2016 21:21 utc | 15
I absolutely loved the IYI article thats been linked to here a few times.
i finally have a proper word to refer to people i would otherwise being using expletives to describe.
Posted by: pA | Sep 27 2016 21:31 utc | 16
@10 'So the mainstream media's strategy is to simply ignore it.'
Can't really blame them. Any news outlet foolish enough to run the story will lose access and their advertisers will all mysteriously disappear.
Posted by: dh | Sep 27 2016 21:35 utc | 17
to S.H.E. | Sep 27, 2016 4:01:25 PM | 9 you and others might like this bit of info . ""Leo Goldstein, a mathematician and the editor of DefyCCC.com, is suing multiple corporations and funds under RICO, alleging retaliation against witnesses, tampering with witnesses, bribery, and attempted embezzlement of $18 Trillion from pension funds. This is a press release made public yesterday on PRNewswire that updates our original story."" https://wattsupwiththat.com/2016/09/27/the-first-climate-change-rico-lawsuit-is-filed-by-defyccc-com-editor/ The usual Big BIG names are named but dont expect MSM to mention this stuff .
Posted by: Terry | Sep 27 2016 21:37 utc | 18
#8 Denis
As a guy who worked inside a masjid for a year or two, I can tell you first hand that most Muslim "extremist sympathizes" value honesty very, very highly.
You can blame them for being seriously misinformed and even brainwashed medieval savages, sure. But not for being dishonest, and not talking to the best of their knowledge.
So the interview with this dude, be Al Azz his real name or not, is highly plausible. If you are willing to die for a cause, you are allowed to tell the truth at all times and keep yourself ready leave this world unburdened with haraam (not matter how wrong misdirected and unrestrained your violence may in fact be).
Posted by: Quadriad | Sep 27 2016 21:44 utc | 19
#8 Denis
Unfinished thought, sorry for the double posting.
I can assure you that many "honest jihadis" in Al Nusra do not see themselves as anything like Italian American Mafia.
They in fact believe they are "purer" and "cleaner" than the Kafirun, and are highly unwilling to leave this world burdened by sin of untruthfulness. I can't emphasize enough how important truthfulness is in all of Islam, not just the Salafi Sunnah varieties.
So, no. If given a chance, our Al Azz would most likely first behead all the sinning Corleones on the spot, and hand-chop their lowly underlings. And then keep on beheading up and down town...
Posted by: Quadriad | Sep 27 2016 21:50 utc | 20
Oh my, that evil Putin!
Guess what he did?
He made three permanent members of the UN security council act like spoiled brats when the Syrian representative spoke out against the 'western' perspective!
Imagine! Samantha Powers as a dupe for Putin to make the US look bad?
{Seriously, the US has never had trouble looking bad so long as it breeds the likes of Sammie Powers}
Posted by: rg the lg | Sep 27 2016 22:06 utc | 21
Well folks the Nobel Prizes are due to be awarded in October so expect over the next couple of weeks to see a lot of Western MSM propaganda talking up the Syrian White Helmets' chances of winning the War Prize ... err, the Peace Prize.
Posted by: Jen | Sep 27 2016 22:45 utc | 22
Upon researching the issue of wedding rings within Islam, I discovered one small point: Whereas there're no rules against either engagement or wedding rings, it's highly suggested they be worn on the right hand, which our interviewee doesn't, although the other two examples did. The reason cited is the left hand is used for "cleaning" so the right can remain "pure." So a ring must be worn on the right hand so it can remain unblemished and proper within Islam. So, the "ring as proof" argument has a hole in it, although it's not too big.
Posted by: karlof1 | Sep 27 2016 23:06 utc | 23
@23 it would be interesting to find out what rings these really are.. most secret society members wear a ring associated with their "club"..
Posted by: Lozion | Sep 28 2016 0:08 utc | 24
A right handed marksman, intent on wearing a ring, would wear it on his left hand and not on his trigger hand.
Posted by: fast freddy | Sep 28 2016 0:15 utc | 25
Am a supporter of Russia and Assad against the terrorists. Also know that the US directly supports these terrorists on the ground
https://twitter.com/Syria_Protector/status/780916888608071680
Terrorist with US A10 support in the background noise
But this interview is faked.
I will start with the most easily identifiable part, the last 10 seconds of the video, likely shot after leaving the site where the interview was filmed. The footage is shot somewhere on
this
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=36.139547&lon=37.163819&z=17&m=b
road looking towards the Haraybel military checkpoint.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=36.134513&lon=37.165364&z=17&m=b
It has a very distinctive structure i have noticed in a video before. See this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-KblhyeWdo&t=140. There is no doubt in my mind that we see the same building.
and here is a screenshot compared to the buildings as they are seen on terraserver:
http://i.imgur.com/JFx4oVl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/cRAR2xx.jpg
From the road the nearest quarry is directly north. I used the first 25 seconds from video to see if this was the correct quarry. Here are 2 screenshots from the video compared with terraserver and the view point of the camera.
http://i.imgur.com/ENVVUiu.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/NBKNA32.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/zxDn8ns.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ZjA62Nt.jpg
Now to make sure that they stayed in this quarry and didn’t drive to some other location I compared a camera shot taken from the little shed that the interview was performed in, to a camera shot taken when Tödenhofer drove into the quarry.
http://i.imgur.com/lLKWbU0.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/V4Ujc29.jpg
Now I would like to remind you that nobody has ever put the rebels as being in control of that particular quarry.
Here is a list of maps taken from the maparchive
http://imgur.com/a/SFTVz
if you look at the last months nobody ever indicates the rebels are in control of that quarry. That area is and has been for a long time under government control although it is near enemy positions. The well-worn out supply routes you can see on terraserver also suggest the area has been under regime control.
Here is a terraserver link to the area if you want to check it out for yourself
https://www.terraserver.com/view?utf8=%E2%9C%93&search_text=&searchLat=&searchLng=&lat=36.141526&lng=37.164385&bbox=¢er=
The video was shot in SAA territory, where a Nusra commander wouldn't be. Its fake propaganda, but the US is definitely supporting the terrorists as we've plainly seen in their attack on SAA troops.
Posted by: sorrynotsorry | Sep 28 2016 1:08 utc | 26
Posted by: sorrynotsorry | Sep 27, 2016 9:08:09 PM | 26
you went to a lot of trouble to make a debunking
Posted by: brian | Sep 28 2016 1:39 utc | 27
someone else did it, i just copy and pasted it to see what you guys think. The only explanation I can think of is that this guy was interviewed in a quarry that is right on the brink of rebel and saa territory, the guy is a fake and the journalist was duped into believing he was a nusra commander, or hes a former commander who fled to government territory from one of assads amnesty programs. I mean, he's saying things everyone knows is true, but why would a nusra terrorist openly say these things? Something is odd about it all
Posted by: sorrynotsorry | Sep 28 2016 2:10 utc | 28
' I mean, he's saying things everyone knows is true'
Posted by: sorrynotsorry | Sep 27, 2016 10:10:24 PM | 28
and stirring up a hornets nest... so why are people upset if its not new?!
Posted by: brian | Sep 28 2016 2:15 utc | 29
It's certainly not new. The british government came out with a report a couple weeks ago that showed 90% of Libya "moderates" were actually AQ terrorists, and the us and coalition were happy to support, fund and arm them. This interview is saying essentially the same thing in Syria, and because the US and it's supporters know its true, even if its fake, it speaks the truth. The fact that it has so many people rattled just speaks to how true it is.
Posted by: sorrynotsorry | Sep 28 2016 2:22 utc | 30
More good news ....
Saudi Banks needed Billions injection for liquidity to stave off?...
Rumor is that is insufficient to bridge their banking problems.
All in sync as Deutche Bank nears implode from Derivatives and other toxic.
Commerzbank with problems....laying off 9000.
Saudi continue to epic fail in war with Yemen.
More Tribes going over to the Yemen Rebels...
Saudi lose another Drone...
Yemen Rebels hitting Saudi military camps with rockets.
It's going south on Uncle SAM....except for India...which is ?? which direction it will
Go vs Russia/China.
India best wake up before they pull a Germany : )
Posted by: Brad | Sep 28 2016 2:26 utc | 31
For what it's worth, this from Abu Saeed Al-Halab Abu Saeed Al-Halab [I have no earthly idea who he/she is. Probably not Polish.]
Important || German journalist? Jürgen Todenhöfer never conducted an interview with a JFS member nor did he enter the liberated areas.
@brian | Sep 27, 2016 10:15:25 PM | 29
I'm on Putin and Dr. Assad side. Your researched look convincing. But, we should never blindly believe anything post here or elsewhere.
Would b or anyone take a shot at or debunk sorrynotsorry?
Posted by: Jack Smith | Sep 28 2016 3:45 utc | 33
@brian | Sep 27, 2016 10:15:25 PM | 29
Sorrie, I mean "sorrynotsorry researched look convincing".
Posted by: Jack Smith | Sep 28 2016 3:51 utc | 34
What else can shills and trolls do when their camp is losing? Yeah, well..
Posted by: Lozion | Sep 28 2016 3:55 utc | 35
Indeed I don't want to blindly believe things either so I posted it here to see what you guys think. I mean the aid convoy was obvious US propaganda. Clearly it was a hellfire missile from a US drone. This interview is sketchy but the content was true, which puts me on the fence. The interviewer needs to comment in public on the acusations against him so we can see what he has to say for himself and how he vetted this nusra commander
Posted by: sorrynotsorry | Sep 28 2016 4:39 utc | 36
@15 hochi
"The Vietnamese Viet Cong was trained and supplied by the CIA during the 50ies when it was still called the Viet Minh and fought France".
Reliable source(s), please.
Thank you.
Posted by: Fenelon | Sep 28 2016 5:03 utc | 37
@11 Stevens,
On militarymaps.info they indicate US military personnel now in Azaz and Marea in North Aleppo.
(Translated from Russian)
"US soldiers, accompanied by members of the opposition Free Syrian Army entered the city of Marea and Azaz.
This was announced by the Lebanese television channel "Al-Mayadin" citing its sources. Marea and Azaz are located to the north of Aleppo. According to the data channel, the US military arrived to prepare an attack on the position * LIH, which are on the outskirts of Aleppo, on the north side.
As transmits the channel, the emergence of foreign military escalate the situation between the militants "Dzhebhat en-Nusra" * and the Syrian Free Army. Terrorists from the speakers called for the battle against the Americans and burned several flags PAS.
Free Syrian Army - military wing of the so-called opposition, which is fighting against the government forces of Bashar al-Assad. The overall structure of the organization is not. According to military intelligence, government forces, some units co-operate with the militants, "Al-Nusra."..."
This couldn't be very "pleasant" for the US personnel which are not welcomed by a section of the parties. In addition, the parties are at odds amongst themselves.
This area is the thin strip between the Kurds (YPG in Afrin) and ISIS north west of Aleppo City. They would be advancing on Al-Bab from the west (so are the Afrin Kurds) while the SAA is now preparing for an advance from the south and are massing forces at the Kuweires airbase.
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/tiger-forces-redeployed-east-aleppo-upcoming-offensive/
"ALEPPO, SYRIA (6:00 A.M.) - The Syrian Arab Army's "Tiger Forces" have redeployed from southern Aleppo and northern Hama to the Kuweires Military Airport in order participate in the upcoming offensive near the Islamic State stronghold of Al-Bab."
The Turkish backed FSA will also be advancing from the north and the YPG from the east! This is going to be a real "bun fight". If ISIS just withdraws from Al-Aab they can let everybody else fight each other and then come back in and take on the one that is left over.
Posted by: Dean | Sep 28 2016 8:11 utc | 38
Consider this possibility:
It was a real interview but it was staged in that some decided to send this message now.
And that message is to Russia: you will be caught in a quagmire like Afghanistan.
Evidence? Obama warn of a "quagmire" about a year ago when Russia entered the Syrian conflict and NYTimes wrote explicitly of US involvement in July, calling Syria a "CIA proxy war".
Note: I wrote of this possibility in the prior thread @61.
Posted by: Jackrabbit | Sep 28 2016 9:37 utc | 39
To paraphrase Henry Kissenger: "poppycock" is not a denial, it's an excuse for one.
Ironically appropriate given that Kissenger was addressing US foreign policy failings.
Posted by: Jackrabbit | Sep 28 2016 9:45 utc | 40
Wearing gold is haraam for men in Islam. Just one of the reasons why those Osama pics were faked by the CIA.
Osama knew that much about the sacred law of Islam, before he croaked of kidney failure back in December '02, most probably. But this fool? Who knows? But we do not need to depend on the legal equivalent of heresay to know that what he is saying is true (when we have US policymakers proudly asserting the same thing). Nuff Sed.
Posted by: Nuff Sed | Sep 28 2016 10:18 utc | 41
hochi | Sep 27, 2016 5:21:29 PM | 15
I know a wee bit about Ho Chi Minh and Vietnamese history, and their war with France.
Ho Chi Minh was not a communist; but rather a Vietnamese nationalist
I call B.S. on your post.
Links and references please...
Posted by: V. Arnold | Sep 28 2016 10:40 utc | 42
This interview will under intense derailing campaign. Including claiming its fake by people who say they are friends of Syria (like sorrynotsorry 26, did he post here before? Or just conveniently show up to derail the interview? Plenty of ziotrolls on payroll for that).
The truth is, it exposes USrael complicity in direct support of Al Qaeda. Its well known fact to those who are reading blog like MoA, but unknown to Western public in general. I dont know how this interview slipped through cracks in media, but make no mistake - it will be declared as fake and then ignored.
Posted by: Harry | Sep 28 2016 11:29 utc | 43
@43 Harry
Did you look through @26 sorrynotsorry's post?
His evidence is fairly compelling.
If you blinndly trust any source simply because it supports your narrative, you are no better than those you claim to oppose. We must seek the truth, especially when that truth may contradict our views.
You have accused sorrynotsorry of being a "ziotroll". You may think the same of me. This is a common tactic of dogmatists, to accuse anyone who questions something you see as beneficial to "the cause" of being in cahoots with the enemy.
I have family in Lebanon. The greatest threats to them are the Israelis and the jihadis. And still I question this interview, because we must question all of our sources.
Posted by: Checkers | Sep 28 2016 13:13 utc | 44
@31, Brad
Militarily Saudis are a joke, despite their shining military toys. In general, Arabs and modern warfare do not mix really well.
Posted by: SmoothieX12 | Sep 28 2016 13:19 utc | 45
Well this is what the dumbed down western populations spead today, al qaeda is good, people saying that or fighting them is bad. Propaganda at its finest.
Posted by: RE3 | Sep 28 2016 13:20 utc | 46
I have been to Rome and know how the Romans operate. The catacombs have nothing on the machinations of Roman politics that reaches out everywhere beneath the surface we see.
@ Checkers | 44
First of all, no, sorrynotsorry havent presented any actual evidence. He makes a LOT of assumptions, which (surprise surprise) are bias towards showing this interview is fake, ignoring other explanations.
Lets see the very premise he makes his arguments on:
the last 10 seconds of the video, likely shot after leaving the site where the interview was filmed. The footage is shot somewhere on
The last 10 seconds arent continued footage from the interview, its an addition later. I.e. it could be 100 m. or 5 km. away from an interview place. Another thing he ignores, terrorists claim its a battle zone, with soldiers are just "behind those houses". So journalist can take an interview from terrorist and a minute later drive through SAA check point, so its not a "proof" interview was taken in SAA territory.
Then he claims its a very specific quarry, which I very much doubt as well, nor his pics are a proof of it (just an assumption based on some similarities). I have seen a lot of quarries in my life, and they often look a like. That quarry could just as well be shot in my country, what to speak of thousands quarries in Syria.
And based on all those flimsy arguments he claims its all fake, and I have to believe that? Also whats the source, since sorrynotsorry says he copy pasted from somewhere, fake proof guy like Brown Moses? :)
Then he says "the guy is a fake and the journalist was duped into believing he was a nusra commander". Thats even stranger assumption, since Todenhöfer has contacts with terrorists for years. Or all of them defected to SAA to organize fake meeting? :) Also Todenhöfer must be really stupid guy to spend 13 days with them and not know if its terrorists or not, if its their territory or not.
So forgive me, if such non-evidence and non-arguments dont convince me, combined with brand new posters who just show up to derail the interview or to defend the guy who does the derailing.
Posted by: Harry | Sep 28 2016 14:11 utc | 48
In today's (French) Le Canard Enchaîné, discovery in the French countryside (Saumur) of a studio for filming propaganda videos of Da'esh. The army now claims it was an exercise and that they did not inform the police of their setting up this place for that reason. Fishy to say the least.
Posted by: Mina | Sep 28 2016 14:15 utc | 49
Let's not forget about the good news: The pretence of peace
[...] We shall leave to one side the Israëli attempt to profit from the truce to attack Damascus and the Golan. Tel-Aviv attracted a volley of new generation missiles, lost one plane and will have to repair a second. It seems that Syria now has the capacity to contest the Israëli domination of regional airspace.[...] As from now, Russia will intensify its diplomatic advantage – the United States have been caught red-handed in treachery. Moscow could therefore use the General Assembly to announce its desire to finish with the jihadists. The US manipulation will turn against those who imagined it. Washington will have only two options left – either engage in an open confrontation, which it does not want, or accept that its protégés lose the game.
Good reminder of how it started Why the cease-fire in Syria has failed, by Thierry Meyssan
[...] Let’s review the facts – on 12 December 2003, President George W. Bush signed a declaration of war against Syria, the Syrian Accountability Act. After a series of attempts to open hostilities (the Arab League summit of 2004, the assassination of Rafic Hariri in 2005, the war against Lebanon in 2006, the creation of the Islamic Salvation Front in 2007, etc.), US special forces took the offensive at the beginning of 2011, organising a hoax intended to make people believe that this was an interior Syrian «revolution». After two vetos by Russia and China in the Security Council, the United States finally accepted a peace treaty in Geneva which they signed, in the absence of the Syrian delegation, on 30 June 2012.Since the signature of the peace treaty, four years ago, the war has started again, despite multiple attempts to find a solution, negotiated alone by Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian opposite number, Sergey Lavrov.
Throughout these last four years, I have noted, one by one, the conflicts within the US state apparatus (the manœuvres by Jeffrey Feltman and Generals David Petraeus and John Allen against President Obama, as well as the problems within CentCom). Today, according to the US Press, operatives of the CIA and those of the Pentagon have been waging a fierce war on one another in Syria – while Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter stated publicly that he did not believe that his men would apply the agreement signed by his colleague, John Kerry, who in turn said he was sceptical about his own capacity to enforce the respect of his signature by his country.
[..] Throughout these last four years, I have noted, one by one, the conflicts within the US state apparatus (the manœuvres by Jeffrey Feltman and Generals David Petraeus and John Allen against President Obama, as well as the problems within CentCom). Today, according to the US Press, operatives of the CIA and those of the Pentagon have been waging a fierce war on one another in Syria – while Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter stated publicly that he did not believe that his men would apply the agreement signed by his colleague, John Kerry, who in turn said he was sceptical about his own capacity to enforce the respect of his signature by his country.
The Russo - US agreement of 9 September was clearly aimed at separating several groups – whose leaders had been judged acceptable by both parties – from the other jihadists [1]. Then to establish a military cooperation to crush the jihadists. and finally to form a government of national union which would include the leaders of the jihadist groups which had been separated – on the model of the local governments imposed by the European Empires on the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century.
The Pentagon accepted this agreement under two conditions – first of all, the Silk Road had to be cut. This led to the US bombing of the Syrian Arab Army in Deir ez-Zor, in order to prevent it from finally bypassing Daesh via the Euphrates valley. Then to work with the Russians, but on an equal footing.
The first condition is an act of war against Syria, in the very heart of the cease-fire, which offends the entire international community. The second is obviously inacceptable for Russia.
In order to mask the crimes committed by the Pentagon and the United Kingdom in Deir ez-Zor, the British agency MI6 organised the affair of the «bombing» of a humanitarian convoy.
In reality, this convoy had been searched by the Syrian Arab Army. It did not contain weapons (or no longer contained weapons), and had been authorised to continue across the border after the end of the cease-fire. It had been chartered by the Syrian Red Crescent, a NGO linked to the Damascus government, and was destined for the Syrian populations occupied by the jihadists. Contrary to Western declarations, it was never bombed, as demonstrated by the images broadcast by MI6 under the label of the «White Helmets». There are no bomb craters anywhere, and no structures have been damaged. The convoy was attacked from the ground and burned. Images taken by a Russian Army drone show the presence of jihadists at the moment of the attack, although the area was supposed to be demilitarised.
Whatever the facts are, the United States accused Russia of having violated the cease-fire, which it had not done, and which it had itself done by bombing the Syrian Arab Army in Deir ez-Zor. The Anglo-Saxon propaganda was repeated on 21 September, straight-faced, by the Ministers and Presidents of the Western camp, John Kerry (USA), Petro Porochenko (Ukraine), Jean-Marc Ayrault (France) and Boris Johnson (United Kingdom).
Final remark
The negotiations between John Kerry and Sergey Lavrov have started again. Their objective is not to rewrite, yet again, another peace treaty about which everything has already been discussed. Their true goal is to help the State Department to overcome the resistance it is encountering in its own country.
It's clear to me that:
1) The British Empire true intentions have always been to confront Russia over her challenge to the Empire's world hegemony. It's been trying to gain time, prolonging conflicts through its proxies (US security elements in Pentagon, CIA, PMCs, Canada, Australia, Israel, Gulf barbaric monarchies, Japan - which "wants British weaponry" according to headlines), before it's ready for pre-emptive nuclear strike against Russia and China. Recent rabid opposition to replacing NATO with the UE army is another confirmation. The plans concern involving Poland in a provocation against Russia, hence recent many racist attacks (by MI5 operatives) against the Polish population in the UK to be used as an excuse to tighten security cooperation between the UK and its vassal Polish regime. Problem - reaction - solution.
2) A major "October Surprise" is in preparation that will change the chessboard situation dramatically in several places at once - the US, the ME, Ukraine, Balkans, South America, Indo-China... (heck, maybe they've erected finally that Baal monument in the NYC in September just to pray for their victories to come)
For the curious: Meyssan writes interestingly too about The Kurdistan projects/a>
PS Also some say that "Obama regime, stood alone against all humanity and singlehandedly blocked the United Nations resolution against sending weapons into space, and an hour later activated for the first time in history its “missile shield” on Russia’s border."
Apparently "the US has made “critical advances” in space based weapons over the past year—and that last year President Obama shockingly allocated $5 billion for developing. For how absolutely terrifying Obama’s new space weapons are for the Federation, this report notes, has been detailed by many experts, one of whom has described them: “In a near-future war, 1,000 missiles scream toward Russia at Mach 20. Each one a pinpoint strike hitting the Kremlin’s nuclear missiles, military radars, submarine bases—you name it. Within minutes, 80 percent of Russia’s nuclear arsenal is destroyed without the United States launching a single nuclear weapon of its own. Russia’s military networks are blind, the nation’s ability to strike back eliminated or severely degraded. The incoming missiles were no ordinary weapons, but hypersonic glide vehicles developed largely in secret under the US Prompt Global Strike program. They travel so fast, shooting them down is effectively impossible.” "
Gloves are coming off...
Posted by: Whatever the facts are, the United States accused Russia of having violated the cease-fire, which it had not done, and which it had itself done by bombing the Syrian Arab Army in Deir ez-Zor. The Anglo-Saxon propaganda was repeated on 21 September, straig | Sep 28 2016 14:34 utc | 50
#11
Russia's goals, Assad stays. As to the ending the war in Syria, that would mean the Iranian pipeline would go thru. So its a balancing act but Assad, well, he is a beggar. And if Iran could on its own end the war with its own resources, it would have done so long ago.
http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/chinese-stratagems-and-syrian-buffer-zone-for-turkey-qatar-pipeline/
One of the basics point of fact of the situation besides the pipeline stuff is Assad is a beggar, he does not get to make a call.
Posted by: ThatDamnGood | Sep 28 2016 14:56 utc | 51
@Checkers | Sep 28, 2016 9:13:20 AM | 44
"If you blinndly trust any source simply because it supports your narrative, you are no better than those you claim to oppose. We must seek the truth, especially when that truth may contradict our views..... a "ziotroll". You may think the same of me. This is a common tactic of dogmatists, to accuse anyone who questions something you see as beneficial to "the cause" of being in cahoots with the enemy. ......family in Lebanon.....the Israelis and the jihadis. ....
Hey bro, feel for you and your family. Another tactic ad hominem typo errors, spelling, missing words or express Eng incorrect. I'm not an Anglo-Saxon nor do I believe any freaking gods.
Speak your mind even if no one supports you here or anywhere. b (Bernhard) a dual German citizenships is fair and open minds and I like it! Sometimes I disagrees. I'm against Bernie Sanders, especially the Democrat Party.
Posted by: Jack Smith | Sep 28 2016 16:23 utc | 52
Todenhofer responds: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10154027075150838&id=12084075837
It is in German.
Posted by: Michael | Sep 28 2016 16:36 utc | 53
OT Breaking News from RT Live.
Kerry ultimatum! Lay off the moderates (Headchoppers) or war. Now, waiting Putin's checkmate?
Obomo emerged in 2008 with a big bang - Nobel Peace Prize, go out with a bigger BANG - nuclear war with Russia?
Posted by: Jack Smith | Sep 28 2016 16:43 utc | 54
AmeriKKKa is completely out of ideas on Syria.
According to BBC, Kerry is demanding that Russia stop bombing Aleppo or else ... he'll go back to AmeriKKKa, take the phone off the hook, and sulk.
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Sep 28 2016 16:52 utc | 55
@Michael | Sep 28, 2016 12:36:42 PM | 52
Thank you. Viewed with Yandex browser and translated it to Eng. However Yandex won't allow cut-and-paste
it here.
Posted by: Jack Smith | Sep 28 2016 16:53 utc | 56
US Blocks Former British Ambassador From Entering America to Honor CIA Whistleblower
http://ronpaulinstitute.org/archives/featured-articles/2016/september/07/us-blocks-former-british-ambassador-from-entering-america-to-honor-cia-whistleblower/
Posted by: R3 | Sep 28 2016 16:58 utc | 57
his response in english:
Friends, it's incredible that more people chose to believe a terrorist group over me. Here some information for those who trust me:
1. JFS' denial
That Nusra/AQ would deny the interview was clear from the start. The openness and honesty with which a simple, not high-ranking commander spoke about the true goals of al Qaeda must have been very painful to the leading cadre. Same for the US government. This AQ commander says what the whole world believes.
Such after-the-act denials have become a custom to rebels. Understandable. So Nusras claim is obviously bs.
2. Identity of the commander
About the identity of the AQ commander. We were able to research his identity in greatest detail and know everything about him. Also about his private background. The interview was arranged for by rebels from Aleppo. (I have contacts with them for years.) It furthermore was conducted at a place within sight and range of Nusra, only Nusra members could reach this place. Parts of his claims were furthermore confirmed almost literally by the Nusra-Mufti of Aleppo. Link.
Other claims of his about the rebels disinterest in the COH were later confirmed [by reality], as well as his predictions about military plans for other Syrian cities. All that speaks for his authenticity.
in Syria, many Muslim men wear rings and even gold chains. Not unusual. Abu Al Ezz is no visible/recognizable salafist. He is a fighter. He used to be with the FSA but Nusra pays better. Many in AQ fight for the money.
There are many Nusra fighters without beard. (see pictures in his facebook post), even if they are not (as was the case here) spies for Nusra.
3. Geolocation
Particularly wrong was Mr. Geolocator. His bs is really embarrassing.
Looks like he didn't even read my interview in full. The interview was conducted - as I say/write in the video - "conducted in the no-mans-land between the fronts". No one ever claimed the quarries were in rebel territory.
The location found by "Geolocator" is not the place where my interview took place. The real location was several KM away from the location he claimed. Mr. Geolocator bases his research on 2 towers, but the truth is there are countless such towers near such quarries.
We were south-west of Aleppo, not south-east as Geolocator claims.
"Gelocator" claims our interview was conducted near Haraybel Ceckpoint. That is wrong. In reality the interview took place near Khan Touman. Our Satellite pictures show not only exactly where we were but also that the area is not under SAA control.
The location Gelocator names also differs in color from the the real place. "Our" (the real one) quarry was, as you can see in the interview, pure white with only a small black patch. While Geolocators location is only white on the outside, and dark inside.
Freddy (his son + cameraman) has more videos that show us on our way to that quarry. The fact that we have to release such details to counter al Qaeda propagandists and some ignorant idiots is a waste of our time.
Conclusion
Some things can not be found out from behind a computer screen, but instead one has to move ones ass in person and under big risks into war zones. Online-Heroes sadly never seem to do that. And that is amateurish, half-assed and irresponsible. It seems like I have to report much more from such regions [to educated those]. The lack of knowledge/competence from some critics almost pains me.
Insofar my comment [this one] was probably way too nice. I also want to say that I have been for all my life on the search for the truth. And I still am. That also applies to my journeys to Syria and my research in Syria. Sometimes the truth hurts. I know that. Nevertheless I will always say what I have found to be the truth after thorough research. I think that is my duty. Even if I it rains criticism on me.
yours, JT
Posted by: sorrynotsorry | Sep 28 2016 17:17 utc | 58
Problem solved. Looks like the interview is legit and the US is helping Nusra
Posted by: sorrynotsorry | Sep 28 2016 17:19 utc | 59
Tired of "Peres' day" ?
A good alternative: https://youtu.be/rVfu9s9i8oY
(beautiful documentary on the Lebanese singer Feiruz)
Posted by: Mina | Sep 28 2016 17:38 utc | 60
"Wearing gold is haraam for men in Islam. Just one of the reasons why those Osama pics were faked by the CIA."
Is this picture of King Salman faked, too?
Posted by: manweh | Sep 28 2016 18:02 utc | 61
@ 60
The Saudi royals are Moslem in name only. They do not live their lives by its tenets
Posted by: Nuff Sed | Sep 28 2016 18:56 utc | 62
@ sorrynotsorry | 58/59
Now that was nice response by Todenhöfer, thanks. Its also big of you to admit your mistake.
Posted by: Harry | Sep 28 2016 20:10 utc | 63
The suggestion that Ho Chi Minh was not a communist is bizarre. He was a founder member of the French CP back in 1920.
Posted by: Paul Cockshott | Sep 28 2016 21:24 utc | 64
Re: Craig Murray, denial by usa of his entry to make invited speech (R3 above #56)
Murray was eventually allowed into usa and he did make the speech, and it is well worth listening to.
Murray was UK ambassador to Uzbekistan, where usa was sending captives to be tortured, Murray blew the whistle and was fired for it.
He notes that Uzbek govt (where he was UK ambassador) signed agreement with Unocal for export of nat gas, agreement was signed in Texas, in Gov. George Bush's office, and George H W Bush was on the board of Unocal.
Murray also explains how the same oligarchs (titanium and diamonds)he met in Uzbekistan appeared later in Siera Leone, where Murray was sent for peace conference, which long difficult conference ended in agreement, which agreement was vetoed by UK govt dominated by same oligarchs.
Conclusion: peace will be impossible as long as these oligarchs control governments.
Listen/watch for yourself here:
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/
Posted by: mauisurfer | Sep 28 2016 23:30 utc | 65
#62 Don't stress it, Manweh, and restrain your fixations on Sunnah.
Good ole King Shalmon ben Shevod is pure kosher.
Posted by: Quadriad | Sep 29 2016 0:51 utc | 66
#45 "Arabs and modern warfare do not mix well"
Well, say that to the Israeli Attack Force who had to be demonstrated otherwise some 10 years ago up in Lebanon.
Unless you're saying Hizb's weapons were relatively antiquated, in which question I'd part agree but very much question the value of "modern warfare" (be that giving Arab, or giving Hebrew or even Yankee retards high tech as if they were able to substitute for general lack of cojones or brains)
Posted by: Quadriad | Sep 29 2016 1:02 utc | 67
@ Arnold 42
You don't know so much about Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh's history, do you?
Ho was founder member of the French's Communist Party.
You wrote pure BS in your post.
Posted by: Fenelon | Sep 29 2016 2:05 utc | 68
sorrynotsorry@58 - I was going to respond to your original post about why I think that quarry is not absolutely government-held territory in reality, even though it may be in some very marginal sense. It's marked on the on-line maps as bordering contested or rebel territory (lumber yard and surrounding area to north). So, FWIW:
What a lot of these maps fail to consider (or simply choose not to display for simplicity) is that there are a lot of these areas that are basically ignored or uncontested by both sides - there's nothing there and there's no reason for the opposing side to try to sneak across and attack you. The same applies to the orchard to the east and open, undeveloped territory to the west. If there was fighting there, it would be marked 'contested'. If there was no fighting there, then if the rebels haven't claimed it, it's marked 'government' whether they have any presence there or not.
Marking the quarry as 'government' implies the government is controlling the borders, or at least the territory up to the borders. To control the entire quarry (a hole) means that they have to have government troops on top of the north and western walls. In addition, they have to have government troops on the east and south walls monitoring the inside of the quarry to 'control' it. Do you think for a second they would bother to do that even if they had the troops to spare? They probably monitor the area for signs of obvious or threatening military activity, but ignore everything else. The quarry is still operational - the government isn't going to check every civilian vehicle driving in and around there - there's activity there (recently) all day long.
Here's the only thing in the area that the government is worried about: The West Aleppo supply route through Ramousah Road. The tweet is old, but the route and its importance remain the same. The Haraybel government checkpoint just south of the quarry is marked on this map from Agathocle deSyracuse. Again, an old tweet but the map is still basically accurate.
The government mans the Haraybel checkpoint - it's actually at a working cement plant that happened to be right on the route and provided a convenient place for a checkpoint. That's what the buildings/smokestacks are, sorrynotsorry. It's a cement kiln (not to be confused with the massive cement plant to the northeast). The government has troops there watching the area, others at the Water Treatment Plant and probably an observation point at the Military Housing Construction Facility, but there are no roving patrols worried about the quarry or anything to the northeast of the checkpoint. They can't see into the quarry from the checkpoint, but they could see anyone driving at them from a mile away from the quarry. They have plenty of armor at the Haraybel checkpoint, too.
The rebels have little reason to fight for or claim the quarry. They haven't moved out of the Lumberyard north of that for two years now, aside from a brief attack on the Military Housing Construction Facility (now completely destroyed). They obviously don't care to 'claim' the quarry for any reason.
So if I'm an al Nusra commander and a somewhat paranoid Western journalist wants to interview me, I'm going to pick some neutral place convenient to both parties. The quarry would be a perfect place. It's two minutes north of the Haraybel checkpoint for the nervous journalist. The government ignores the quarry because there's nothing there (and their attention is to the northeast), you can bring a few guards with you that can remain out of sight of government troops the entire time and you have an open escape route if you are attacked. The little shacks on the southwest wall next to the orchard seems like a pretty good place. Safe and convenient for head-chopper and journalist alike.
Is it marked as government-held on internet maps? Who cares. If the government troops can't see you (or don't care because you look like civilians), they won't bother you. If you have clear lines of sight to monitor the possibility of their approach, and if you can escape quickly back to your lines, the internet map can say anything it wants. The only reason it's marked 'government' on those maps is because the rebels are not physically there, actively trying to use it/take it for whatever reason. Ignored = government-held. There are no razor-wire fences, sentries or mine fields at the edge of government-held territory there. The government guy with the binoculars at the checkpoint is looking for groups of armed troops or technicals, NOT a random car driving around a working quarry.
Now the funny thing is Todenhöfer's facebook admonishment of whoever the hell 'Geolocator' is. Todenhöfer is probably just trying to protect the people that helped him, but he absolutely 100% was on the edge of that quarry. He has a video with a massive steaming pile of limestone tailings (the dark stuff) in the middle of the quarry. If you look at the progression of satellite images in TerraServer, you can see that pile grow every couple of days starting May or June. Trucks are dumping the hot tailings from the checkpoint cement (or maybe lime) kiln and bulldozing the waste further into the quarry so the trucks have a flat surface to keep unloading. You can even see the pile steaming on the last satellite image if you zoom in.
In any case, I would insist the quarry would be a no-man's land, neutral and safe for a short, discreet meeting despite the rather artificial designation of 'government-held' on internet user tactical maps. I'll stand corrected if someone calls up the quarry supervisor and he confirms that the quarry is government-held an has an impenetrable, rock-solid security perimeter ringed by government sentries and is monitored 24x7.
As for the veracity of the report, I find no reason to doubt Todenhöfer. He apparently hasn't been fooled in all his other previous interviews. The fact that he secured a meeting with an al Nusra commander isn't That surprising. How many hundreds of 'al Nusra commanders' are there? It isn't like this guy is THE al Nusra commander, he's just one of many. The gold ring, clean clothes, etc. don't seem particularly damning. And I suppose we can add that he's concerned enough about the people that helped him secure this meeting that he feels the need to toss out a red herring about the location. BTW, I'm certainly not revealing his secrets here. They have the internet in Syria and anyone that cared to has already seen his video. Anyone familiar with the quarry will recognize it.
Posted by: PavewayIV | Sep 29 2016 7:26 utc | 69
@PavewayIV
Geolocator is probably a man called Tobias Huch who made a video in which he called the interview "fake". In my eyes, Huch is a very aggressive supporter of PKK, YPG etc.
There is still one problem. Todenhöfer says they were in the quarry near Khan Touman, but the Al Qaeda thug says they are at observation station in area of "Sheikh Saeed".
I support the Syrian Army and the allies, I know how USA, Turkey, KSA and Israel are involved BUT I'm very skeptic of Todenhöfer in general because he keeps repeating those buzzwords like "barrel bombs" or "war crimes".
Posted by: wj2 | Sep 29 2016 15:49 utc | 71
Posted by: wj2 | Sep 29, 2016 11:49:04 AM | 70
Todenhöfer has also provided very sketchy info about what he knows of the guy that he interviewed. A blanket statement like "We know everything about him" isn't very comforting.
And the fact that al Nusra used him (yes used him) to send a message out is not encouraging.
Repeating myself: The NYTimes had already acknowledged publicly in July that the Syrian conflict was a "CIA proxy war". So the info provided in this interview is not new or embarrassing.
What it is, however (IMO), is:
1) a 'message' to the Russians that underscores Obama's warning from a year ago about a 'quagmire' like Afghanistan, and2) a dog whistle to media: al Queda is now the good guys fighting against the evil Axis (Russia-Syria-Iran); the ISIS evil now takes a backseat to the al Nusra holy warriors.
<> <> <> <> <> <> <>
PS In 2007 (!) Sy Hersh described US-Israel-Saudi plans for Syria in "The Redirection".
Posted by: Jackrabbit | Sep 29 2016 16:16 utc | 72
Another point that supports my view @71 is that the interview was conducted weeks ago, when (in my estimation) a negotiated ceasefire was in doubt. The interview was then released only after the ceasefire failed.
Posted by: Jackrabbit | Sep 29 2016 16:48 utc | 73
wj2@70 - "...There is still one problem. Todenhöfer says they were in the quarry near Khan Touman, but the Al Qaeda thug says they are at observation station in area of "Sheikh Saeed"..."
They can say anything they want. There are only so many limestone quarries near Aleppo, and only one with fresh, steaming mounds of limestone tailings. We can never be 100% certain, but if Todenhöfer's own video shows that quarry with the unmistakable cement plant checkpoint, then I have little reason to believe their suggestions otherwise. I don't know anything about Todenhöfer other than the German's opinions I see, and most seem to trust his sincerity based on his history. Given this was just some nobody Nusra commander and the fact that he said nothing surprising or unexpected leaves me little reason to doubt the interview was real. I think I would have at least tossed in something a little more shocking if I was going to fake the whole think. And I'll bet you can find a dozen other Nusra commanders that would say pretty much the exact same thing in an interview. They really don't care what the U.S. or anyone else in the world thinks. What other options do the U.S., Gulfies and Israel have but to keep using them.
Jackrabbit@71 - "...And the fact that al Nusra used him (yes used him) to send a message out is not encouraging..."
Do you really think this was an orchestrated interview coordinated by some higher-level within al Nusra? Like I said above, you could probably find a dozen other al Nusra commanders who would casually say the same thing. They have never attempted to hide the identity of their supporters. It's just that they are rarely asked, and nobody believes them when they do implicate the U.S., GCC or Israel. The Western MSM certainly never picks up these stories. Western MSM and intelligence agencies spin al Nusra stuff, but al Nusra itself has never played those games that I recall. They may avoid answering an uncomfortable question, but they are very straightforward when they do. Just my observation over the last couple of years.
I disagree about this guy and this interview being "...1) a 'message' to the Russians that underscores Obama's warning from a year ago about a 'quagmire' like Afghanistan..." But assuming it is, America can't seem to understand that there is no quagmire if you kill the enemy, level their cities and they lose support of their paymasters. They'll be around Syria forever as terrorists, but the Russians and Iran are going to pretty much destroy them an leave the left-overs to the Syrians. I doubt Russia will be anywhere in a year besides the port facility at Tartus and maybe some token presence at the airport.
As for "...2) a dog whistle to media: al Queda is now the good guys fighting against the evil Axis (Russia-Syria-Iran); the ISIS evil now takes a backseat to the al Nusra holy warriors..." we can see how they keep pushing that narrative, and how it repeatedly falls on it's face. A few knuckle-draggers will buy it, but most see the FSA as ancient history, and the remaining head-choppers as head-choppers despite their flag of the day. Either that, or they don't care and think Syria is a small country in northern Texas.
Posted by: PavewayIV | Sep 29 2016 18:11 utc | 74
Posted by: PavewayIV | Sep 29, 2016 2:11:49 PM | 74
...you could probably find a dozen other al Nusra commanders who would casually say the same thing. They have never attempted to hide the identity of their supporters. It's just that they are rarely asked ...
So Todenhöfer or any of a dozen other reporters could've done the interview any time? That doesn't mean timing of the interview and timing of the release isn't significant. It seems to me that this was publicized when it was for a reason.
Someone decided to ask AND someone decided to answer (unless you believe that the whole thing was fake, which I don't). And released it only after the ceasefire fell apart.
Maybe its all very innocent but it seems strange. And if it is something other than innocent, then it seems likely that it was:
1) Russians trying to embarrass USMy best guess: US+allies sent a message (warning/threat) and Russia/Syria friendly media picked it up to embarrass US+allies (hence the denials and Toner's "poppycock"). Its all very amusing - except the warning/threat part.2) US/allies sending a warning
Posted by: Jackrabbit | Sep 29 2016 19:24 utc | 75
Jackrabbit@75 - OK, I have to concede the timing was suspicious. If I had done the interview, I would have filed it before I got on the flight back home.
On another note, it looks like Western MSM has picked this up:
Syrian Al-Qaeda Commander: US Forces Are Arming Us In Syria
The State Department admitted that the Nusra Front could be receiving U.S. arms via allied nations, and it’s not the first time the U.S. or its allies have been accused of aiding extremist groups in Syria.
Well, I lied about the Western MSM part. It's just the U.S.'s tiny little MintPress News - what the alternative press should be. Far more credibility than the combination of all MSM combined and often ends up shaming the larger 'alternative press' in the U.S. to practice some legitimate journalism. I'm sure the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Stazi are planning a no-knock raid on MintPress offices as I write this.
Posted by: PavewayIV | Sep 29 2016 20:13 utc | 76
wj2@71 "...Geolocator is probably a man called Tobias Huch who made a video in which he called the interview "fake"..."
That must be this YouTube video (in German). The summary suggests his main arguments are the same issues questioned here. Any German speakers willing to take a look and confirm? Don't need a translation, just wondering if there's something else compelling in his argument that we're missing.
Posted by: PavewayIV | Sep 30 2016 0:09 utc | 77
@PavewayIV / 74
My comment referred to the Al Qaeda man in the interview of Todenhhöfer who said they were at an observation station in the Sheikh Saeed area. This is very contradictory to how Todenhöfer describes the area in his statement given afterwards. Unless, Al qaeda in Aleppo sees quarries near Khan Touman as Sheikh Saeed area of course...
Tobias Huch isn't giving any new information.
The points are
- location
- "Assad/Russian propaganda"
- Jabhat Fatah ash Sham's denial of interview
- Todenhöfer took a staged photo in Gaza with toys put on rubble (funny to hear this from him somebody believing in the nonsense of Western MSM about Syria)
- "Todenhöfer loves Assad"
Todenhöfer addressed the main points. But as I already said, there is the Sheikh Saeed issue.
Posted by: wj2 | Sep 30 2016 14:18 utc | 78
Der Spiegel tries to debunk the interview based on location and because it contains so much "Russian propaganda."
Momentous Syria Interview Under Fire - By Christoph ReuterGerman journalist Jürgen Todenhöfer filmed an interview with an alleged rebel commander near Aleppo. The claims made by the commander -- that the US was supporting al-Qaida -- made headlines around the world. But was the interview authentic?
Posted by: Petri Krohn | Oct 2 2016 19:31 utc | 79
The comments to this entry are closed.
thanks b! excellent.. if you can get that video you shared on the other thread translated into english, it won't go down with the large company of liars trying to do an endless snow job on anyone stupid enough to believe them..
Posted by: james | Sep 27 2016 18:03 utc | 1