1、CRS InsightsThe Khorasan Group in SyriaChristopher M. Blanchard, Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs (cblanchardcrs.loc.gov, 7-0428)September 24, 2014 (IN10155)On September 22, U.S. military forces launched strikes against Syria-based terrorists referred to byU.S. officials as the Khorasan Group, w
2、hose members President Obama has described as seasonedAl Qaeda operatives in Syria. According to Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes, the groupincludes some former al Qaeda operatives, core al Qaeda operatives from Afghanistan and Pakistan aregion historically known as Khorasan who made thei
3、r way to Syria. Rhodes added that theAdministration views the Khorasan Group as an extension of the threat posed by al Qaeda and theirassociated forces. These are individuals who have their origin, their history serving in al Qaeda. OtherU.S. officials and independent observers report that the group
4、s members may hold leadership roles inthe Al Qaeda-affiliated Syrian insurgent organization known as Jabhat al Nusra (the Support Front),which the United States has designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Former CIA DeputyDirector Mike Morell has described the Khorasan Group as the ext