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Source: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/oct/23/syria-seen-as-haven-for-mideast-terrorists-who-can/
Syria Seen as Haven for Mideast Terrorists Who Can Launch Attacks on West
(Washington Times) Kristina Wong and Guy Taylor - Intelligence officials and lawmakers are concerned that al-Qaeda-linked extremists in Syria have established safe havens in the eastern part of the country where they are considering launching attacks throughout the Middle East. "There is continuing concern that some of the foreigners fighting in Syria with the Nusra Front and other extremist factions could leave the battlefield and mount attacks in their home countries," a U.S. counterterrorism official said. "At the same time, we are watching for signs that the al-Qaeda-affiliated groups present in Syria could shift some of their focus from toppling [Assad] to launching external operations against the West." Andrew J. Tabler, a researcher at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said jihadist groups in Syria could shift their focus to targets in Turkey or Jordan.