Homs, The Syrian Revolution, and the Icon

Introduction from the interviewer Khaled Abo Salah

Let me introduce you to the symbol of the revolution. With his courage and simplicity, from Homs, Abdel Basset Sarout became the treasure of the revolution. He always said, “Syria is my family, I can’t give it up.” He is going to tell you his full story now, from the protest to the fights, the ISIS and Nusra issues, and the revolutionary songs, of course. 

I would love for you to tell us about the beginning of the revolution.
(Abdel Basset Sarout) I cannot describe the beginnings of this revolution with just mere words or actions. It was the most beautiful at its inception. The beginning was much more difficult than what we are witnessing today. I was at the roots of the revolution and I went out to support the people.

Tell me about your first protest, where you went out and sang?
My first protest was at the clock tower in Homs I went out with the protestors, it was in honor of the martyred and there were Assad regime snipers posted around the area.

So I led the chant “listen, listen oh sniper, this is my neck and this is my head!”

You also used to host other celebrities at your demonstrations, such as the starlet Fadwa Suleiman, could you tell us about this experience?
Firstly, we hosted many shining celebrities from all sects. Homs was gaining the reputation as the capital of the revolution and spirit of the revolution. We represented the beauty of demonstration and the people of this country, among them Fadwa Suleiman, and other actors, many from the area of Salmaniyah. We all had the same objective: the fall of this regime and freedom. We were all united in speaking up against this tyrannical regime and all its oppression.

In the first year of the revolution, you and your group used to move from one place to the next, from Deir Baalba to Bayada to Khaldiyeh to Bab Amr. How did you manage to move around since all residents of Homs were well aware that there are regime checkpoints widely spread out? How did the residents welcome you?
Of course just conjuring up the memories of those days brings tears and also happiness. These situations were the most dangerous. There would be two checkpoints separated by only 400 meters and we would have to cross between them on foot. At times we were subjected to live fire. When we would reach Khaldiyeh, we would realize that the residents were actually waiting for our arrival, and all the areas were in solidarity with each other.

The regime offered a cash reward for leads on the whereabouts of Abdel Basset. Even now, very recently the regime has put a high price on your head. Could you tell me why you think the regime wants to capture or kill you and who are the people who have tried?
This question, I don’t know how to answer for you, should I answer it as an individual who has been oppressed or should I answer it the spirit of the revolution, or should I answer it with all simplicity or from my experience? The subject of this question is very disconcerting. Oh people, we are the family of the revolution, we are the ones that went out and we were the ones that the regime were in pursuit of. We were the ones who the regime was paying large sums of money for people to kill us, meaning we were more powerful than the weapon. This is absolute. Yes, the weapon has a role, and you know very well that taking up arms was forced upon us. However you know when they start pursuing you and offering money for your murder that your voice is very great. All these voices had the regime quaking.

How did you find the response of the regime to the demonstrations? Was it proportionate? Was it reasonable?
The soil of Homs, blood of Homs, and destruction of Homs, and the martyrs… the picture of the brutal response becomes clear. You would think we were producing chemical weapons in Homs to warrant such a response with an entire arsenal. In fact, we were — with the exception of airstrikes — the first ones to experience it (chemical weapons). We were the first with casualties from such attacks, even before Ghouta, Deir Baalba and Bayada were the first to be subjected to it.

In the beginning of the revolution, was the regime more frightened by the demonstration or the Free Syrian Army?
They were interdependent. The protests were breaking the regime’s back; they were the earthquakes below the throne of this regime and sent a clear message for all the people. However after the attacks on protestors in later stages the demonstrations and the Free Syrian Army would complete each other.

Why did Abdel Basset Sarout — known for being a pioneer in the peaceful revolution — take up arms?
We took the decision to take up arms, because initially we went out with olive branches and bared our chests. We never had any intention of taking up arms. After we showed the whole world the full picture of what was happening, once they saw us demonstrating with no bigotry or sectarianism, and on top of that being killed, we had no choice anymore but to defend ourselves, to defend our land, our honor, and the matter of jihad in self-defense is nothing to be ashamed off. This is a commandment from God to defend yourself. This pressure forced us to take up arms and it was the last thing we wanted to do. You keep hearing everyday a protestor being killed, day after day, at the very least you realize that you must defend yourself.

How did you form your brigade? Who are they?
Martyrs of Bayada Brigade were composed of the same exact people that used to help me organize the protests, who wrote the placards, who would play on the drums, who cleaned before and after the protests: the same very group of people. Sometimes I would simultaneously fight and put down my arms and join the protests. They would organize and unite the people and make announcements.

You were fighting on the most dangerous front (Ta’minat), were you not afraid because of your lack of experience in warfare?
See, we gained all our military experience from this front. Our main military successes came from this front. But after we lost Khaldiyeh, after losing Ta’minat, after losing Bayada, and Deir Baalba from intense airstrikes, with little military experience this was a big problem.

In the beginning of the siege on Homs, you withdrew to the direction of Rif, so that you could meet up with other fighters to break the siege. Tell us about that.
When I left the siege, I left to gather food for the brigade. I decided to organize a new brigade to break the siege from the outside. It was rigorous work, I was exhausted and even injured twice in the battle to break the siege. The battle of Deir Baalba was the most successful, which resulted in breaking the siege. In the battle of Deir Baalba, we had at most 120 men and captured it immediately. We did not expect it to be so easy, but God gave us success. We would advance to Bayada simultaneously as the ones under the siege and the ones outside the siege.

The ones on the inside were extremely successful and there was only a short distance between us and them left when the Assad regime hit them with chemical weapons. The regime also hit us, who were in Deir Baalba, with chemical weapons. That was the very first time chemical weapons were used. We had cases of suffocation; many people died and that’s why the breaking of the siege eventually failed. If the regime didn’t realize we would break the siege, they would never have used chemical weapons.

After you could not break the siege, you decided to reenter the besieged area. Why did you go back into the siege?
Those who leave their home and become strangers… see, being a foreigner is much harder. Sometimes you hear the Syrian refugee say, “I wish I could go back to my home, even if I had to die.” I decided in solidarity with those under siege that we would starve and even die with them, and if God granted us liberation then we would all be liberated together. At least we could rest assured that we did all we could before God — but even then we have so many shortcomings.

The next day, your brother was martyred?
Yes, I was shot in my stomach and my brother Mohammed was Martyred. May God accept him.

How did you feel inside the siege after 2 years, and you resorted to eating leafs? Did you feel abandoned? Did you feel no one is trying to break you out? What kind of thoughts were going through your mind?
We went through periods — see the moment we went back into the besieged area, that’s when the real starvation started. Before, you could get ahold of some bulgar wheat or regular wheat. After a month, there was no more food. We were eating grass, chili pepper and pomegranate syrup and soup consisting of water and spices and grass. It was difficult but God gave us the strength to withstand.

As for news coming from beyond the siege, we stopped believing everything we heard. We only had our hopes with God. What made it easier was that this siege was full of blessings. Every hardship would bring us closer to God to be rewarded. In every step there was a reward with God. Imagine if you had died, in defense of your rights, defense of your land and religion, in this throttling siege. It reminds you of the days of the companions of the Prophet — of course I am not comparing myself to them specifically. You feel as though God has chosen you and this would be soothing to your heart.

Tell me about the flour mill where around 64 young men were killed attempting to bring back flour to make bread for the children, in which a large number of your men were also killed, including two of your own brothers.
In all honesty the conditions of the siege and this incident, if all the historians of the world were to write about it, it will stand as legendary in its own right. It is the epitome of valor. Even the definition of valor would fall short, and I am not just talking about my brigade. In this battle we were just a branch in many branches where we all worked together in the siege. Again, by God, I am not talking specifically about my brigade, or my 2 brothers that were killed. I am talking about a woman who would go out and into the street and cry, “Who will provide food for my children?”

This was the reason for this operation and we made the conscious decision when heading to the flour mill that either we will all die or we will succeed in bringing back flour. We partly succeeded, but the operation ended in failure and our reward is with God.

Could you tell me what you felt as you were being escorted out of Homs in buses and to your right was the mosque of Khalid Ibn Walid after such a long siege and endured hardship and martyrdom of the finest youth of Homs?
(Singing) “Our Homs! Our Homs! Our Homs! I swear I never wanted to leave you. You are within us. Oh Master Khalid, oh son of Walid, may God never allow our efforts to be wasted. The soil of Homs is like the soil of Al Quds. We will return by the promise of our Lord, we will wipe your tears, dear mother.”

After you were transported to northern Homs in the 5th month of 2014, you were welcomed into their homes. Could you explain to me what you were planning to do after this?
Of course we had already planned the next stage before we were evacuated. We had decided to organize under one movement called Faylaq Homs, and because of what we experienced during the siege, our immediate goal was to break the siege on the people of Wa’er. There were more than 150,000 besieged civilians, women and children. It was obligatory on us to think of these people. It was a crime for this revolution if we did not work toward breaking this siege.

After you formed Faylaq Homs, you shortly left it and then after that rumors started to circulate that you gave allegiance to the Dawlah (Islamic State aka ISIS). What are the origins of the rumors and what is the basis for them?
There is no smoke without fire. If there was no basis to these rumors no one would even bring up such an accusation. So I can confirm it does have a basis. Seven months after I left Faylaq Homs, I was in contact with a man called Abu Dawud of eastern Homs, from the Ahlul Sunnah wal Jama’a group. He had left them and was searching for fighters to form a new splinter group that would eventually give allegiance to ISIS. I was one of those people looking for work. I was frustrated by seven months of no progress with my previous group to break the siege.

So what did you do with Abu Dawud?
We gathered some groups, including mine. They asked us that when ISIS reached the area, will we be prepared to give allegiance? In all honesty I was one of those willing to give allegiance because I wanted to work. So I told Abu Dawud and he automatically took it as allegiance. However, it later became clear that it wasn’t a legitimate way of giving allegiance, and invalid.

So was he actually an agent of ISIS?
No, Abu Dawud was like us, he had no affiliation. This was his own project that ISIS played no part in, nor had any knowledge.

So he was just a regular person who thought of starting a group that would give allegiance?
Exactly, it was just an idea, he was just seeing how many people would be willing to give allegiance, and after he got the numbers on that basis he would then talk to ISIS and ask them if we could give allegiance. So we were never actually affiliated to ISIS or even gave them allegiance. Even my own pledge of allegiance to Abu Dawud was invalid because he was not part of ISIS. From this basis, the rumor started that Basset pledged allegiance to ISIS.

Ok, what provoked someone like you to even contemplate joining ISIS?
Many people were provoked to join, not just Abdel Basset. When you, as a brigade get out of a siege, and as fighters start getting offered backing, you have no other choice but to work with what you have. You see brigades being starved of supplies for such a long time, and witness no political headway; you have every right to look for a way elsewhere. As for the Dawlah (ISIS) they were already in the Rif by the time I left the siege. By the time I left the siege, there was Nusra, Ahrar, and many battalions. Back then they weren’t fighting each other.

In the beginning of April, ISIS dispatched a group of its Shariah legislators, around eight individuals to the Rif of Homs, of course at this point there was no presence for ISIS in this specific area yet. They sent eight legislators to receive the pledge of allegiance to ISIS and even opened training camps. Did you ever meet any of these legislators? Has there been any communication between you?
In that period, during gatherings, there were people that knew each other from every group. Some mistakes were made by some groups that were an anathema to the religion and the revolution, so I decided to withdraw. Mistakes were made by the very same groups that were interested in joining ISIS.

Just so people understand. So the very people who were calling on the factions to unite and pledge allegiances to ISIS were the very ones who made the mistakes you speak off?
Yes, and they were a large group of people and around three quarters of them were inclined to pledge allegiance (to ISIS). I swear by God, numbering around 5000. Ones who had previously given and sacrificed everything for the revolution. Regardless of affiliation, all the fighters I hold in the highest esteem, but I swear three quarters were willing to pledge. However there were certain military leaders that committed a grave error, so I withdrew completely from this whole project and wanted nothing to do with it.

I made this absolutely clear, I even told Jabhat Al Nusra, I told Faylaq Homs, I told all of them that I just wanted to work. I discovered however, that politics had tainted the revolution. When the legislators arrived, they were looking for me to receive my pledge; after being told that I was one of those that said I wanted to pledge. So Abu Dawud and groups from that same project told them that I had changed my mind for my own reasons.

They reported me to an individual from Talbiseh. I was told the Emir is coming to take your allegiance. I asked, “Where will I be posted?” He said he was in Talbiseh and to come to Zafaran. I told him Talbiseh and Zafaran fall right in the middle of the North, why should I be posted here? Where is the work? For example we should be heading to the East, to Houla for example, a very large area. You know, to work. Not to merely establish a State in the North and start dictating over people. So this individual came to me and gave me an ultimatum that either I pledge allegiance or I relinquish my weapon.

Why did he want your weapon?
Because as far as he was concerned, I was now a murtad (apostate) for not pledging allegiance to ISIS. The weapon was even my own personal weapon and not issued to me by the organization. I told him I would not pledge or relinquish my weapons. So more importantly, someone grassed on me, and accusations of “sahawat” were circulating and I was told to pledge.

I told him, “I am a man that doesn’t want to pledge.”

He said therefore, “Give me your weapon.”

I replied, “If there is someone more among you more macho than Abdel Basset, let them come forward to take my weapon. Gather all the men you have and take my weapon. As in, if you are more of a man than Abdel Basset or anyone with you, let them try to take my weapon off me.”

That was my response to them. Think of it like this, if someone is prepared to address them in this manner, then immediately that all ties have been severed.

So just make it completely clear, you never pledged allegiance (to ISIS)?
Of course not.

On the 9th of September 2015, your brigade put out a video to deny you pledged allegiance and to make it clear that you were an independent brigade. What was the reason?
The battle in Zafaran and Talbiseh had begun between the rebel factions against ISIS. In the middle of this Jabhat Al Nusra approached me requesting my allegiance. This was in the heat of the battle and many witnessed this. They came to me, they were afraid of me; these legislators Sheikh Abu Rashid Al Gahm, Sheikh Hatim, and Sheikh Azzam asked me what my position was regarding this battle.

I told them we don’t want to get involved. We are a group that refuse to spill the blood of other Muslims and at the same time if we did support ISIS we would have pledged allegiance to them. They were very understanding at first, like, “May God reward you; we know you don’t like bloodshed and you have always been good role models.”

After the battles had ended I would come and go as if nothing had happened. The battle was over. Within 6-8 months I would work in the eastern areas to support the fronts. I was working independently. As you know, I wasn’t affiliated to any faction and I didn’t have any foreign backing. I started my own brigade, we worked in Hasad, we worked in Zaytoun and Baluz.

Everybody knew this as a fact, maybe in other areas like in Idlib or Deraa, they will be ignorant of this. I swear to God that everyone in the Rif knew this, even the group that fought me. All of them are well aware that we established this brigade from our own hard work and sweat; we funded ourselves through war booty on these fronts. We ambushed that pig Suheil Hassan’s men in Salmiyah capturing grad rockets, konkurs, and executed 13 of them. This is how we provided for ourselves. I believe this is the only reason they fought me, only because we were becoming so much stronger and influential in the area. They eventually started reducing the number of my men on the fronts.

Why were they removing your men? What excuse did they give?
It was certain individuals they targeted.  We were apparently committing “crimes,” such as listening to the nasheeds (vocal music) of Abu Hajar al-Hadrami’s (ISIS so-called songwriter). They would take you and place you in reeducation because listening to these songs meant you had sympathies to ISIS.

So this is why you released a video?
Yes, I released a video to set the record straight and I was very honest and clear. However, I regret even releasing it. I regret it because I gave legitimization for the trial, when really I should have just released a statement from the start and put an end to this whole ordeal.

We will return to this subject. After you released this video, were you requested to appear before the High Shariah Court of Homs because Jabhat Al Nusra had accused you of having pledged allegiance to ISIS? What exactly happened during your trial?
If I tell you in detail, it will take incredibly long, I will give you a curtailed version with just the important parts. I was summoned by the court and it brought a jury that would observe my side of the story first, and then they would be invited to another sitting where they would only see Nusra’s side of the story. After hearing both sides independently of the other (preliminary) then both I and Nusra would be summoned to a second hearing where all sides were present.

Who made up the jury?
The jury was made up of a mixture of well known people from a variety of areas who had previously arbitrated settlements between different factions from Talbiseh and Nasr Al Nahar, i.e., Faylaq Homs.

So tell me about the very first hearing.
I sat down and straight away told them, “So I am being accused of being affiliated to ISIS? Okay, bring the proof.” They didn’t have any evidence. They asked me daft questions like “Do you listen to songs by Abu Hajar al-Hadrami?” basically questions that are even embarrassing to be asked because everyone in the North listened to his songs and almost all who of them have long hair. There were Pakistani’s who also have long hair. These were merely suspicions and in Shariah law you cannot base your evidence on suspicions.

Before you sat down with Jabhat Al-Nusra in the hearing, what did the court say to you in front of the jury? Did they bring forward documented supporting evidence?
I sat down in this hearing to see some evidence; they purposely delayed things in order to talk about suspicions based on some in my group who give out the vibe that they’re affiliated to ISIS by having long hair and listening to Abu Hajar al-Hadrami. I asked them to be seated down with Nusra to bring all their evidence and accusations forward and once that was arranged we would all sit down together in court as two parties with witnesses.

At the end of the hearing what did they say?
I asked them to bring forth all of their evidence so that Nusra could confront me with this before the Judge and jury.

So the court had initially informed you that Nusra had all its evidence ready?
Yes, otherwise why was I summoned if they had no evidence? On mere suspicions? That is unlawful by Shariah. So I sat down with the jury for the first hearing without the presence of Nusra, and they too would sit in court without my presence only without a jury to put forward their claims. Then when the trial would commence we were meant to sit down as two opposing parties with evidence brought against me.

When the trial began I found myself alone in the court, no Nusra or a jury. “Where are my accusers?” I asked.

So this was the trial that both you and Jabhat Al Nusra were meant to attend?
Yes, I was waiting for their evidence and accusations and if I were proven to be an ISIS member I would surrender with my brigade, my weapons and equipment like I had agreed. I would also have had to make a public apology admitting that I was part of ISIS and acknowledge that I received a fair trial.

I was prepared to solve the whole matter for them.

So I turned up to court and there was no Jabhat Al Nusra. I asked the Sheikh “how come there is no Jabhat Al Nusra?” He replied “If only Nusra would show up we could settle this matter and they promised us they would leave you alone and you also promised the same.”

Ok, so in that case the trial was in my favor. Have you ever heard of a court trial where you would be representing both parties? This is what happened to me and I have witnesses to verify this version of events.

So we sat down for another hearing and the court had told me they would like this to be resolved and to be honest I wanted it to be quickly resolved. We weren’t that unoccupied to be wasting time, we still had Al Wa’er and other areas. We’re not that unoccupied to be stopping each other at checkpoints and fighting each other.

So at the final hearing, of course the jury was present. It was ruled that Abdel Basset is not with ISIS, he just doesn’t want to fight them. I admit I don’t want to fight ISIS and one of my reasons is I don’t want to oppress civilians by arresting them on suspicion of them being involved with ISIS, only to find out they weren’t. Similar to how I was framed and oppressed and some of these people could have children. I am not compelled to oppress people in the similar light only to later discover they were just civilians and not affiliated to ISIS.

So I told the court, I only want to fight the regime; I will fight it to the last drop of blood. They were well aware that I wasn’t affiliated to ISIS. The whole dispute was based on me refusing to fight ISIS and I have witnesses to confirm this.

So they said, “In that case, your frontlines are only manned by your group, and since you don’t fight ISIS, what will you do when they come from your side?” This means that they would eventually enter north Homs. I told them to bring the military and Shariah councils and to come observe the frontlines and see for themselves. If Abdel Basset was on his own in Aydoun, or Dalak, or a third front in the North.

Furthermore, I told them, “If the distance between myself and ISIS allows either side to enter one another’s territory, then I hand you the area, my weapons and myself. Up until now, could I say anything better than that?”

So the court put together a council? Who was part of this council?
It was made up of leaders from all factions, from Hajj Bilal, Faylaq Homs, commanders and a Sheikh from the High Court. They showed up at Aydoun unannounced and found it completely in rubble. They found myself and Ahrar al-Sham, which meant I did not have a monopoly over the front, and if I didn’t want to fight ISIS, Ahrar would be prepared to fight ISIS. Then when they went to Dalak front, they found my brigade only 40 meters away from Ajnad Al Sham and Jabhat Al Nusra — three different factions in Dalak. They also found the distance between myself and ISIS were more than 40 villages that were controlled by the regime. There was Salmiyah and many checkpoints, a large distance between us.

So the council presented its findings to the court that it is impossible for ISIS to enter this area?
Yes, and I have witnesses.

However despite this, the court ordered that Abdel Basset and his fighters leave their fronts and fight in a different area and even convicted you of having pledged to ISIS. How do you respond to this decision and why did they ask you to change your fronts, despite admitting it was impossible for ISIS to enter through your area?
This was the crime. I refused to be moved because my whole brigade was made up of locals that defended their villages first and foremost and then they would defend other villages secondarily. If I left those areas, I wouldn’t have anyone to support me, nor do I have foreign backing. The war booty was just about sufficient for us, our whole inventory made up of war booty.

Furthermore, these fighters were local, if I were to go 30 km away with just five of my fighters, my whole brigade would fall apart, that would mean you have killed me. I outright refused on the principal that the council had found I wasn’t affiliated to ISIS and neither could they enter from my front. This was in front of a council that had more than 40 witnesses. I asked him, “Hajj Bilal, what were the findings of your council?” He replied, “It’s impossible for ISIS to enter from where you are posted nor do you have a monopoly over those areas.”

So why did they announce that you were convicted of pledging allegiance to ISIS?
Because I had rejected their judgement. Today these courts unify all the brigades and they have to form a consensus. This is the real battle, not that I was an ISIS member. My battle was that the High Court represents all the factions, but dominated by Ahrar Al-Sham on one side and on the other Jabhat Al-Nusra. Now if I refuse their judgement and they’re not able to implement their order on me, they will look incompetent. Both Ahrar Al Sham and Nusra are in competition to show up the other, now why should I and my brigade fall victim to their competition?

This leads me to my next question. Very shortly after your disagreement and refusal of the court’s decision, a battle broke out with your brigade and Jabhat Al-Nusra because they had captured a group of your men from Shuhada Bayada brigade. Nusra had later announced that two of those captured were ISIS fighters. Tell us how this incident began and how it escalated with your brigade becoming a target?
Firstly, we did not start the fight which caused Nusra to retaliate. The High Court – which I am sorry to have even participated in — ordered that no faction or individual has a right to capture fighters from another brigade without written permission from the High Court. It also allowed for self-defense if anyone transgressed those bounds, this documentation is for all to see. So, I personally was behaving lawfully under Sharia to defend myself.

So what happened? Nusra captured these men?
No, they did not capture them, they kidnapped the military commander of Shuhada Bayada, who is my relative, who fights every day in the path of God, and my cousin Nizar Sarout. After it kidnapped them, it told all the factions they had discovered silencers and targets in their possession and instructions from ISIS. They would go to Sheikh Azzam and tell him they discovered a hit list with his name on it. They would go to Ahmed Al Durzi and tell him Abdel Basset has your name on a hit list. They presented all this information to the court which would later release its verdict — a big error — that Abdel Basset’s Brigade is involved with ISIS.

Of course they (Nusra) had started it by setting up checkpoints in Zeytouna, which flanked my forces on all sides and led to clashes. I admit I fired on them, they encircled me and I fired at them. I did not go and attack them, I stayed in my area and they encircled me after they removed my commanders. If they are going to remove my men and commanders every day, then we have nothing left and I have a right to fight back.

How many were killed from your side?
Eight brothers.

In this dispute.
In this dispute, two, but in the ensuing battles, six, and not a single one from Jabhat Al-Nusra was killed

We will return to this later, as we have gone into too much detail for the viewers. After a period of time, Jabhat Al-Nusra attacked an office in Al-Ghanqo village that was harboring six men from Shuhada Bayada Brigade, and all six were killed. Why did Jabhat Al Nusra attack this office in this safe village, even though it did not have the authority from the court? Even more so, a dispute arose between them and court because the court had released a clear statement denouncing Nusra’s actions and killings of the men in your brigade. I am quoting the court “The High Court had no prior knowledge of the attacks of Nusra and gave no authority and did not partake in enforcing such a decision. A verbal agreement was made between the court and Nusra that it would not carry out any raids in the eastern area of Homs without the knowledge of the court. Otherwise Jabhat Al-Nusra is not committed.” Why was Nusra not committing itself? Had this dispute between you and they turn into a personal one?
If it was personal, it would have been a lighter situation, it would actually have been cute, however it was worse than that. This was defiance between us and tit for tat. By any means they had to prove I was with ISIS, because if it turned out that I wasn’t, it would be a calamity. It would make them criminals. You didn’t let me finish what I was saying before, which was far more important.

The moment when the factions had captured me, I swear by God, I swear by God, I swear by God (thrice), if I wanted to slaughter them I could have killed no less than 150 of them and swam in their blood. I swear by God, I didn’t back down for the commanders sakes, but for the soldiers from all the factions who I respect.

So you refused to fight them?
I swear by God we defended ourselves, and withdrew, and were handed over to the joint army despite having the necessary power to retaliate.

Ahrar Al Sham and Jabhat Al Nusra and all the factions know how steadfast we are in the face of the regime when it is attacking us with ground forces and jets. Despite all attacks we still hold our ground. I swear by God I was scared for their lives more than my own when they attacked us.

After your brigade had no more presence in the Rif of North Homs, the court carried on trying to prove your pledge to ISIS. It even released a video entitled “Tibyan Al Haqiqa” which incorporated images, Whatsapp and Skype communication to prove your pledge of allegiance to ISIS. Why is the court until now still pursuing this matter to establish proof of your allegiance?
(Mockingly) To prove to the people that I am innocent.

How so?
Have you ever heard of a conviction where it would take 6-7 months after the conviction to start producing evidence — that Abdel Basset is affiliated with ISIS and he is a criminal? In that case why did you fight me? By God, the factions have now been incriminated in my attempted murder because Nusra told them I had silencers and hit lists from ISIS. However, they release a video of one of their commanders saying I was going to get silencers and hit lists, notice the nuance…. From the moment they shed blood they were incriminated and they would have to prove I was part of ISIS, because if I wasn’t it would make them all criminals. I am only a small faction, whereas they have organizations and backing, and they have the eastern area, which is a beautiful geographical area.

Now in front of the millions of Syrians who will witness this interview, what do you say to them, did Abdel Basset pledge allegiance to ISIS, yes or no?
My friend right now I am in Turkey and not in Raqaa (ipso facto capital of ISIS in Syria).

Tell me about the most beautiful moments of the revolution that you lived. What were the most beautiful moments you witnessed?
A protest would erupt with 40,000 protestors with one voice and one spirit in complete unison.

Where do you see the Syrian revolution at this stage?
Personally, I as an individual am out of the revolution, but I am the son of the revolution.

What do you mean by out of the revolution?
As in, I am not in the land of our nation, I am outside of Syria. By God, these days only remind me of the start of the revolution. These were the best days of the revolution. See these people who are going out and protesting? They will once again go out against Bashar, corruption, oppression, Russia, Iran and all the nations of the world. This nation will never submit again, this matter has already been decided. We’re already victorious: We can’t be defeated. These coming days I believe we are witnessing the tipping point of victory. By God, this is the peak of victory. I am not reminded by anything except for the beginning of the revolution.

Before the interview you told me you had new songs which you will sing for us for the first time, if you could please sing for us.
Before I do, I just want to apologize if I have defamed any of the fighters. I send out this message to every fighter and every faction, I wasn’t generalizing about Jabhat Al-Nusra nor any other faction. I was speaking about some Emir’s in Jabhat Al-Nusra in the North who believed I had taken some of them prisoners in Seydnaya. I did not imprison them, by God it was the regime that had imprisoned them.

The fighters in Jabhat Al Nusra or Ahrar or Faylaq Homs, all factions even if they fought me, I forgive them all because they fought me under orders. The fighters are a crown on my head and I hope they don’t think that I was attacking them. I dedicate these songs to all the Syrian people as a whole. These songs also reflect my recent ordeals. It’s titled “This Nation.”

This nation with our souls
this nation its blood flows in our veins
this nation loves Uthman and Al Farouq,
we remain dismayed and brothers become disunited.
My Lord most high, have mercy and give victory to the downtrodden nation.
The oppression we will never forget,
and victory is coming with drums beating.
Keep patient oh Derra,
we have laid down our lives for you.
Don’t forget us, have pity on us,
your victory is in our hearts.
The dogs of betrayal,
are propping those on their seats.
They were the ones that brought hardships
upon this nation.
Greetings to Idlib and Hora, we need your men,
at times I am hungry,
and at times, I have tears,
but always proud.
As oppression increases and calamities,
The flags of Tawhid will keep waving over the lands of the Sham (Levant).
Whoever transgresses on your land
will die on your land.
I am Homs, I dream every moment that I see you.
Oh Homs, I promise that forever I will never desert you,
and Madaya got aid but oh Saad when will it get aid?
They betrayed it and fed Fua and starved all its people.
(Speaking) This nation, the land of the Levant, its people have never been Sahawat, nor murtad (apostates). This nation is the one that began this revolution and it will end it and be victorious.

(Speaking) This nation, the land of the Levant, its people have never been Sahawat, nor murtad (apostates). This nation is the one that began this revolution and it will end it and be victorious.

God willing, and a special thank you to our brother Ayman al-Masri who wrote these beautiful words, and is a star of this revolution. My greetings to all the Syrians wherever they may be, may God give them all patience in other lands and in Syria, and patience so that we may all live better days, God willing. God willing after much hardship there will be a big break. I thank you for watching and I apologize for so much detail. However, these details are regarding the blood of our youth who were the flowers of this revolution. May you remain in peace.

End.