This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/28/al-qaida-syria-nusra-split-terror-network

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Nusra Front to cut ties with Al-Qaida Al-Nusra Front cuts ties with al-Qaida and renames itself
(35 minutes later)
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. The leader of the Syrian Islamist rebel group al-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.
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. Listed as a terrorist organisation by the US, al-Nusra Front was excluded from a truce negotiated in February. Russia and the US are discussing closer coordination to fight the group.
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. Appearing in a video, Abu Mohammad al-Golani showed his face in a public announcement for the first time. “We have stopped operating under the name of al-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.
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 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 al-Nusra Front, which is associated with al-Qaida”.
Golani said the action would narrow differences with other rebel groups that are also fighting to topple the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad.Golani said the action would narrow differences with other rebel groups that are also fighting to topple the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad.
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. Al-Qaida’s leader, Ayman al-Zawahri, had earlier given his blessing to al-Nusra Front to break organisational ties with the global jihadi organisation in the interest of preserving its unity and continuing its fight in Syria.
Related: Syria's al-Nusra Front – ruthless, organised and taking controlRelated: Syria's al-Nusra Front – ruthless, organised and taking control
Golani thanked Zawahri for putting the interests of Muslims and the people of the Levant over organisational interests.Golani thanked Zawahri for putting the interests of Muslims and the people of the Levant over organisational interests.
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. In a recording that emerged earlier on Thursday, Ahmed Hassan Abu el-Kheir – Zawahri’s deputy – said the organisation instructed “the leadership of al-Nusra Front to go ahead with what protects the interests of Islam and Muslims and what protects jihad” in Syria.
He also urged the Nusra Front to unite with other factions against “Crusaders” and form a good “Islamic government”. He also urged al-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. “We will be the first to support it,” Abu el-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. The message also included a brief comment from Zawahri, saying: “The brotherhood of Islam is stronger than any organisational links that change and go away.” It was not clear when he made those recorded comments.
Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report.Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report.