The sad story of the Syrian archer who died after being enlisted in the Islamic State

The legendary archer Abel Bbadet Al Sarut, one of the symbols of the anti-government revolt in Syria and a member of a group of insurgents who swore allegiance to the terrorist group "Islamic State", died Saturday in a war operation. The death of the former footballer, who was part of the Syrian Under-21 team, was announced by militants fighting the army of President Bashar Al Assad along the Hama front. and Idlib.

Sarut, 27, from Homs in central Syria, led the first months of peaceful demonstrations in the third largest city in Syria and the center of protests against the regime. He then joined the armed struggle, but was stubbornly persecuted north of Homs in 2014, after the fall of the city in the hands of government forces. Many called him "the archer of the Syrian revolt". Sarut was forced to move to Turkey last year, but then returned to the Idlib region, where he eventually joined a group of local fighters. He died after being wounded yesterday in the area between Hama and Idlib, according to reports.

His promising athletic career had ended in 2011, when he changed the goalkeeper's gloves against a weapon, a symbol that Syrian football had not escaped the worst image of a bleeding war the country. Al Sarut played as an archer at Al Karamah, the homs club of Homs, and made his debut with the under-17 and under-20 categories of the national team, even placing second in the ranking of the best Asian goalkeeper. of these divisions. Considered a celebrity in his country, the footballer joined the protests against the regime. Playing football professionally in Syria does not mean earning money, but it enjoys great popularity. Many have followed their ideas.

Taken by the rebels at the beginning of the conflict, their hometown, Homs, was one of the most opposite cities in Al Assad. It was therefore the ideal place for a young athlete unhappy with his leaders, who decided to go farther and go to the fight. He even came to be arrested for his frequent demonstrations against the government. His tragic end seemed inevitable.

What did you think of this news?