He first tried to get to Iraq in April 2003, when U.S. troops established control over the country and jihad became a place on a map. “I wanted to come and fight for Islam,” said Abu Thar, who started the journey from the capital city of his native country, Yemen, across the Arabian Peninsula. “I met a Jordanian merchant who provided me with tickets to Syria and a hundred dollars.” He even drove me to the airport himself.” Abu Thar arrived at the airport in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, with a group of other Yemeni students, a flock of would-be jihadis forming a neat line at the immigration counter. Abu Thar was wearing a traditional Arab robe and a small turban. “And when the police asked me why I was going to Damascus, I said, ‘To work.’ They asked me what kind of work. I said, ‘To work for the salvation of my soul.’ And they sent me back.” Full Story
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