Their real purpose

"The head of Al-Qaeda’s branch in Syria last night said he had been told by the terror group’s leader not to use the country as a launch-pad to attack the West, in a highly significant change in its relations with America and Europe." "Our mission in Syria is the downfall of the regime, its symbols, and its allies, like Hezbollah.” "The shift in policy will be used by supporters of the Assad regime to argue that the West is now formally in alliance with Al-Qaeda."