a huge suicide car bombing rocked the Syrian town of Salamiyah, 30 kilometres southeast of Hama in Western Syria. The Salafist-jihadist group Jabhat al-Nusra later claimed responsibility for the attack that targeted a gathering of pro-regime thugs (shabbiha) at the carpet factory, but also killed and injured many civilians, including children. The Syrian National Coalition, the leading umbrella group of the opposition, denounced the attack but refused to condemn the Nusra front. Another terrorist bombing with a similar pattern hit a military factory in Salamiyah on 6 February, killing tens of innocent civilians. The explosions of terrorist activity in Salamiyah bring the heated and complex debate involving the Syrian political opposition vis-à-vis jihadist groups back to the fore. They also highlights the increasing participation of such groups on the ground in Syria, the dangers they pose to the revolution, and their utter disregard for civilian life. Leading the frontlines A small district with a population of just over 100,000, Salamiyah is known for its diverse yet genuinely harmonious social fabric that goes beyond the hackneyed, empty slogans of "national unity" that dominate the tediously romantic and lustrous ba'athist discourse. Salamiyah, which is made up of the largest Ismaili community in the Middle East in addition to Sunnis, Shia Twelvers, and Alawites, was among the first Syrian cities to join the revolution for freedom and dignity. The first anti-regime demonstration in Salamiyah took place on 25 March, 201a, a week following the deadly crackdown in Dara'a. As early as 1 April 2011, just over two weeks into the uprising, protesters of all sects took to the streets of Salamiyah again, chanting "The Syrian people shall not be humiliated" in solidarity with besieged Dara'a.

• published: 08 Nov 2013
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