Scholars agree that those make permissible what Allah has forbidden or make forbidden that which Allah had made permissible are infidels (kuffar).
CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy
2.
This is so that those non-Muslim kuffar (infidels) in the cross-hairs don't get alarmed too soon, before the campaign is fully ready to overwhelm them.
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3.
This prompted Ibn Kathir to conclude that they were infidels (kuffar).
CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy