The Strugglers for the Unity and Freedom of Greater Syria first surfaced in June 2005 when they claimed responsibility for the assassination of Lebanese journalist Samir Kassir.  In December 2005, the group also claimed responsibility for the assassination of prominent Lebanese journalist Gebran Tueni.  Both Tueni and Kassir were well known for their anti-Syrian views and both had made public calls against continued Syrian presence in Lebanon.  In a statement issued following the Tueni assassination, the group threatened future attacks against those who espoused similar anti-Syrian rhetoric.  <P><br /><br />Little is known about the group beyond its claims of responsibility for these attacks.    Some allege this organization is merely a front for Syrian Intelligence, although this claim is thus far unsubstantiated.  However, it appears unlikely that an attack characterized by this degree of sophistication could have been carried out by a previously inactive group such as the Strugglers.  <P><br /><br />The attacks claimed by this group came amidst a backdrop of growing Syria-Lebanon tensions.  Syrian authorities have exerted increased influence over Lebanese political affairs since first sending troops to the country during the Lebanese civil war in 1976.  A 2004 United Nations Security Council resolution calling for Syria's withdrawal of troops fueled the escalation of tensions and provided a motive for Syrian hostility towards outspoken Lebanese critics.  In February 2005, Rafik Hariri, a former Lebanese Prime Minister and outspoken critic of the Syrian regime was assassinated and a United Nations report issued the day of the Tueni assassination implicated Syrian officials in the attack.  <P><br /><br />On December 27, 2005, a Syrian national named Abdel-Qader Abdel-Qader was arrested and accused of having a role in the Tueni assassination plot.  Abdel-Qader was allegedly in close proximity to the attack and made suspicious telephone calls before and after the attack on Tueni's motorcade.  As yet, a formal link between Abdel-Qader and The Strugglers for the Unity and Freedom of Greater Syria has not been established.<br />