tributes to Ahrar Ash-Sham in Western media

"While its leaders have said they would like to see Syria become an Islamic state, they have never publicly endorsed an international jihadist agenda, instead keeping their focus on toppling Mr. Assad. Ahrar al-Sham also joined with other rebels to battle ISIS in parts of northern Syria."  The Jihadi ideology and its ties to Al-Qa`idah were never in doubt. It sponsorship by Turkish and Qatari intelligence required it to not say that publicly.  Also, the Hubbard does not say that, yes, it fought ISIS "with other rebels" and those rebels are Nusrah Front.