Russian Fighters with Anti-Regime Forces in Syria: We Have Come Here to Protect Women and Children

U.S.-born media activist Bilal Abdul Kareem posted online a report about Russian fighters who have joined anti-regime forces in Syria. According to Abdul Kareem, the fighters were once with the Russian airborne forces. In a short interview, one of the Russian fighters says that he has come to Syria to protect women and children and that he does not mind fighting Russian soldiers siding with the regime. Bilal Abdul Kareem, from New York, converted to Islam at the age of 27 and went to Egypt to study. He is pro-Al-Qaeda and, accordingly, supports the Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, Jabhat Al-Nusra, as well as Jaysh Al-Fath ,of which JN is a part, and is critical of ISIS. The report was posted on March 22.