Al-Qaeda and Syria branch split upThe Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda, Al-Nusra Front, said Thursday it was breaking ties with the global terror network, in a video showing its leader Abu Mohamad al-Jolani for the first time. Lister said the split between Al-Nusra and Al-Qaeda had been prompted by the US-Russia agreement to coordinate efforts and target jihadists operating in Syria. But with the amicable break from Al-Qaeda, Jolani “can now call upon a broad spectrum of armed groups in Syria to agree to unite initiatives”, said analyst Charles Lister. Appearing in public for the first time, Jolani said Al-Nusra changed its name to Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (Front of the Conquest of Syria) and would unify ranks with other mainstream fighters in Syria. Al-Nusra, which has 7,000-8,000 fighters according to Syria specialist Thomas Pierret, is considered by Washington as a “terrorist” group.

Source: Manila Bulletin July 29, 2016 06:33 UTC