Al-Nusra Front Gives ISIL Ultimatum after Commander's Death
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Syria's official al-Qaida affiliate on Tuesday gave rival jihadists a five-day ultimatum to submit to a joint Islamic court after a top operative was killed in a suicide bombing.
The ultimatum issued by Al-Nusra Front to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) comes after the killing of Abu Khaled al-Suri, the commander of an Islamist brigade who was close to al-Qaida chief Ayman al-Zawahiri.
Rival rebels accuse ISIL of being behind the fatal attack and Al-Nusra's chief said his outfit would fight the group in Syria and neighboring Iraq if it refused joint arbitration.
Though both are rooted in al-Qaida in Iraq, relations between Al-Nusra and ISIL have collapsed in recent weeks as Syria's rebels have turned on ISIL, accusing it of kidnapping, torturing and killing activists and rival rebels.
Even many hardline Islamist rebels have been critical of ISIL's quest for hegemony and its refusal to submit to joint arbitration in Islamic courts not run by ISIL clerics.
"We are waiting for you to respond within five days of the release of this recording," Nusra chief Abu Mohammad al-Jolani said in an audio file linked to the group's official Twitter account.
"Should you refuse... hundreds of members of the Ummah (Islamic nation) will fight (your) ignorant and aggressive ideology, even in Iraq," he said.
The call for ISIL to submit to an Islamic court did not refer to a trial for Suri's killers, but was instead a request for ISIL to accept rulings and decisions of non-ISIL clerics.
ISIL has never heeded the rulings of clerics from outside its ranks.
ISIL first appeared in Syria in late spring last year, and its battle-hardened fighters were initially welcomed as allies fighting to overthrow President Bashar Assad.
But in January, rebels declared war against its jihadists, citing its abuses and refusal to cooperate with other groups.
Al-Nusra Front initially sought neutrality, but in recent weeks launched a war of its own against ISIL in the oil-rich eastern province of Deir Ezzor, a key conduit for weapons and fighters from neighboring Iraq.
Relations between the two jihadist groups have hit a new low since Sunday's killing in a suicide bombing of Suri, a top al-Qaida operative and commander of Ahrar al-Sham, a powerful rebel group.
Rebels have accused ISIL of killing Suri, who has been hailed on jihadist websites as a companion of Zawahiri and al-Qaida's late founder Osama bin Laden.
Earlier this month, al-Qaida announced "it is not linked" to ISIL after the group ignored an earlier order from Zawahiri to return to Iraq.
Fighting between ISIL and its rivals has killed hundreds of people, mostly fighters on both sides, since early January.
25 February 2014, 17:14
146
ya boar it was a rhetoric question, ISIL didn't liberate anyhing from regime, all they do is fight rebels, kurds, etc...
They are pro-assad in their acts.
Ever heard of Gladio and the CIA infiltration of lefties in Europe in the '70s and '80s ??? Same happening in Syria and Iraq...
25 February 2014, 17:24
713
lol this statement by nusra proves the exact opposite of your conspiracy theory cedre. if ISIL was created by the regime, why would nusra ask them to join in joint arbitration?
in any case, i'm glad to see them fight each other, and your brainwashed opinion doesnt matter :)
25 February 2014, 17:33
01
We never hear this group giving ultimatum to Israel....how come? Or is it " kill deek a mazbelto sayyah!!!"
25 February 2014, 17:43
135
'Al-Nusra, ISIL, Al-Qaeda and fsa all of them are terrorists takfiris, they share the same principles and have the same aim'
prove it khomeynist parrot...
25 February 2014, 17:50
412
"Everyone knows" does not hold up as evidence in a political argument you ignoramus
25 February 2014, 19:11
124
They dont fight assad, fight assads'enemies and make assad look good.
Is that not the definition of an ally ?
25 February 2014, 17:58
125
Step by step to show the illegitimate nature of ISIS. Even Jihadists must practice politics. And the answer is no: ISIS did not liberate any significant area from the regime. It always attacked the rebels and seized their territory while the rebels are busy fighting the regime.
25 February 2014, 19:10
134
leb_first, give up making them understand ISIL and Assad's connivence.
They lack logic or are too sectarian oo accept it...
25 February 2014, 19:28
211
FSA-Al Qaeda jihadist terrorists fighting each other? Good stuff.
25 February 2014, 19:48
114
gabby14
"They are all a fraud resistance only here to dominate Syria and Lebanon and terrorize the people"
... couldn't say it better
25 February 2014, 21:15
45
FT. I think that awlaki character reaches new heights in takfirism. Take him on...
25 February 2014, 22:36
93
@ Assad's cheerleaders, ie ft, southern, mowateh, etc...
When u have time, go and read about Gladio, the strategy of the tension, CIA infiltration of french/italian left groups, Piazza Fontana bombing, Peteano bombing, Bologna massacre, la scission sfio/lutte ouvriere, bombings of moroccan synagogues by mossad etc...
Those are facts admitted by states not some bullshit conspirasionist theories by thierry meyssan...
25 February 2014, 23:12
05
Wow this awlaki is something else! I mean being sectarian is one thing but this guy is on a completely different level. Are you for real? I mean who talks like that? He is actually quoting the Qoran and at the same time telling peacelover one day I will kill you! You are a special kind of person awlaki. I honestly hope you're not Lebanese. We don't need your 12th century ideology. Go join your takfiri brothers in their bloodthirsty quest and I hope you meet your maker sooner rather than later.
25 February 2014, 23:22
15
To Awlaki, etc. above: Still arguing about religion/Islam? If I were you, I'd turn into atheist until such time a "worthy human" being advises you otherwise. My other suggestion to you is to worry about making a living and taking care of your family. If you are fortunate enough to have the means to already do so, I'd further suggest to donate your time an money for a good cause. Like feeding, clothing and educating starving refugee children no mater what color or religion. Keep yourself busy with matters that doesn't blemish the human race.
26 February 2014, 00:00
04
He is a unique specimen isn't he? It almost borders on delusional fanaticism!
26 February 2014, 03:03
03
Man I don't know what he is. One of the greatest inherent rights that us humans have is the freedom of speech. Even for stupid remarks or its source.
26 February 2014, 00:26
00
Speakfreely whai are Awalki terrorist only for speaking the throth.
26 February 2014, 00:53
24
Naharnet - "ISIL first appeared in Syria in late spring last year, and its battle-hardened fighters were initially welcomed as allies fighting to overthrow President Bashar Assad."
Who welcomed them cedre?
