Kerry’s Claim that Syrian Rebels Are Not Associated with Al Qaeda Has Been Thoroughly Debunked

Politico notes:

“We certainly don’t have a dog in the fight,” [Senator Ted] Cruz said, calling it a civil war in Syria. “We should be focused on defending the United States of America. That’s why young men and women sign up to join the military, not to, as you know, serve as Al Qaeda’s air force.”

Last week, former Congressman Dennis Kucinich said striking Syria would make the U.S. Military ‘Al-Qaeda’s Air Force’.

U.S. troops and veterans agree.

John Kerry claimed yesterday – in response to grilling from Congress – that the Syrian opposition is not made up of Al Qaeda terrorists:

Senator Ron Johnson: It seems like initially the opposition was maybe more Western-leaning, more moderate, more democratic, and as time has gone by, it’s degraded, become more infiltrated by al-Qaeda.

John Kerry: No, I—

Senator Ron Johnson: Is that—is that basically true?

John Kerry: No, that is—

Senator Ron Johnson: Or to what proportion has that happened?

John Kerry: No, that is actually, basically not true. It’s basically correct. The opposition has increasingly become more defined by its moderation, more defined by the breadth of its membership, and more defined by its adherence to some, you know, democratic process and to an all-inclusive minority-protecting constitution, which will be broad-based and secular with respect to the future of Syria.

But the evidence is to the contrary. Senator Cruz noted that – of the nine major rebel groups – seven have ties to Al-Qaeda.  He’s right.

Indeed, Kerry’s claims have been thoroughly debunked by the New York Times, (and here), Wall Street Journal, USA Today, CNN, McClatchy (and here), AP, Time, BBC, the Independent, the Telegraph, Agence France-Presse, Asia Times, and the Star (and here).

Indeed, the the New York Times has reported that virtually all of the rebel fighters are Al Qaeda terrorists.