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Al-Qaida gives OK for Syria branch Nusra Front to split from terror network Nusra Front to cut ties with Al-Qaida
(about 1 hour later)
Al-Qaida’s deputy leader gave an apparent endorsement for its Syria branch to split from the terror network, saying in a newly released message that the Nusra Front should do whatever it takes to preserve the jihadi movement in the war-torn country. The leader of the Syrian Islamist rebel group Nusra Front has said it is cutting its ties with al-Qaida in order to deny foreign powers – including the US and Russia – a pretext to attack Syrians.
Nusra Front leaders have been debating whether to leave al-Qaida, hoping the step would undermine talks between the United States and Russia over a military accord that would target Nusra and the Islamic State group in Syria. Listed as a terrorist organisation by the US, the Nusra Front was excluded from a truce negotiated in February. Russia and the US are discussing closer coordination to fight the militia.
Even if the group does announce a formal split, however, its militant ideology is unlikely to change. The US has said it considers Nusra to be al-Qaida in its “fundamental nature”. The group’s leader, Abu Mohammad al-Golani, made the announcement in a video that was the first public pronouncement showing his face. “We have stopped operating under the name of Nusra Front and formed a new body ... This new formation has no ties with any foreign party,” he said, giving the group’s new name as Jabhat Fatah al Sham.
In the recording that emerged Thursday, Ahmed Hassan Abu el-Kheir – the deputy of al-Qaida chief Ayman al-Zawahri’s deputy – said the organization instructs “the leadership of the Nusra Front to go ahead with what protects the interests of Islam and Muslims and what protects jihad” in Syria. He said the step was being taken “to remove the excuse used by the international community – spearheaded by America and Russia – to bombard and displace Muslims in the Levant: that they are targeting the Nusra Front, which is associated with al-Qaida”.
He also urged the Nusra Front to unite with other factions against “Crusaders” and form a good “Islamic government”. Golani said the action would narrow differences with other rebel groups that are also fighting to topple the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad.
“We will be the first to support it,” Abu el-Kheir said in his six-minute recording. Al-Qaida’s leader, Ayman al-Zawahri, had earlier given his blessing to Nusra Front to break organisational ties with the global jihadist organisation in the interest of preserving its unity and continuing its fight in Syria.
The message also included a brief comment from al-Zawahri, saying: “The brotherhood of Islam is stronger than any organizational links that change and go away.” It was not clear when he made those recorded comments.
Related: Syria's al-Nusra Front – ruthless, organised and taking controlRelated: Syria's al-Nusra Front – ruthless, organised and taking control
Soon after the recorded message, an announcement appeared on social media accounts connected to Nusra saying its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, would soon make a statement. The announcement had a picture of Golani, the first time the Syrian militant’s face has been shown. Golani thanked Zawahri for putting the interests of Muslims and the people of the Levant over organisational interests.
The Nusra Front’s fighters have been among the strongest in battling the forces of Syrian President Bashar Assad and his allies like Lebanon’s Hezbollah guerrillas. It often fights alongside other rebel factions, which in turn have been hit by Russian airstrikes ostensibly targeting militants. In a recording that emerged earlier on Thursday, Ahmed Hassan Abu el-Kheir – Zawahri’s deputy – said the organisation instructed “the leadership of the Nusra Front to go ahead with what protects the interests of Islam and Muslims and what protects jihad” in Syria.
By leaving al-Qaida, Nusra would be able to ally even more closely with other rebels, proponents of the move within the group say – in turn putting pressure on the US not to support strikes on its ranks. He also urged the Nusra Front to unite with other factions against “Crusaders” and form a good “Islamic government”.
“We will be the first to support it,” Kheir said in his six-minute recording.
The message also included a brief comment from Zawahri, saying: “The brotherhood of Islam is stronger than any organizational links that change and go away.” It was not clear when he made those recorded comments.
Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report.