Al-Qaeda Disavows Islamic State Of Iraq And the Levant (ISIL) In Feb - A Reporter's Analysis
February 2014
Introduction
As Syria's infighting between rebel groups continues
after a month of fierce clashes, killing almost 1500
Mujāhidūn, there have been some initiatives trying to
reconcile the battling parties. ISIS, the Islamic
State in Syria and Iraq, however refused all of these
peace initiatives. On the very first days of February
ISIS killed some high ranking leaders in rival groups
like Liwā at-Tawhīd (see earlier post)
In the meantime al-Qaeda's Central (QC) command keeps
on trying to gain any control and influence on Jihād
in Syria. A perfect example is to be found in the last
audio message by Shaykh Dr. Ayman az-Zawāhirī,
published last week (see earlier post). On Sunday,
February 2nd, Shaykh al-Muhaysini, launched a new
peace initiative (to be posted and commented later
on), but to no advance. ISIS, considering itself as
the only lawful representative of Jihād in Syria,
didn't even dignify it with an answer. As ISIS sees
itself as a real state (hence دولة الإسلامية), their
interpretation of Sharī'a would be considered the only
one applicable, thus refuting al-Qaeda's diverging
interpretation. This would also explain why ISIS seems
unlikely to follow rulings like Shaykh al-Muhaysini
published.
Yet, al-Qaeda's Central (QC) command has always been
clear about ISIS; as from the very beginning they said
ISIS had no role in the Syrian conflict, calling upon
them to return to Iraq; Jabhat an-Nusra (JN) was to be
the one and only al-Qaeda (AQ) affiliate in Syria. The
Battle of Words, emerging early last summer,
continued, but last night (February 3rd) it reached a
whole new level. It would seem someone in AQ central
command got quite fed up with ISIS ruling the show in
Syria.
al-Qaeda's Statement about ISIS
Firstly:
Qae'dat al-Jihad (AQ) declares that
it has no links to the ISIS group. We were not
informed about it's creation, nor counseled. Nor were
we satisfied with it rather we ordered it to stop.
ISIS is not a branch of AQ and we have no
organizational relationship with it. Nor is AQ
responsible for its actions and behaviors. The
branches of AQ are those that have been announced by
the Central Command, those are the ones we
acknowledge. With our assurance of loyalty and love
and support for every Mujahid, and our care for all
our Muslim and Mujahid brothers.
Secondly:
Al-Qaeda would like to reconfirm
some of the important meanings in the Jihadi work for
example:
Shura and united work and making
important decisions after consultation between the
Mujahideen and endorsement of their leaders.
That problems between the
Mujahideen are solved amongst themselves and not
through the media.
That we are a part of nation and
that we don't take their right to choose who will
rule them as long as he meets Islamic requirements.
and that we don't hasten to
create states/emirates without consulting scholars,
leaders, mujahideen and then enforcing it on people.
Making sure we mobilize the nation around main
issues which is the ideology of Osama bin Laden who
elevated with it the Jihadi work. Therefore we
published the "Victory of Islam" document to clarify
the issues that the people should be mobilized
around.
Making sure to get rid of
behaviors that will harm the Jihad therefore we
published the "General Instructions" document.
Distancing from any behavior that
will result in oppressing a Mujahid or a Muslim or a
non-Muslim.
And here we declare ourselves
innocent of Fitnah in Sham between Mujāhidīn, and we
declare our innocence of blood that has been shed. We
call upon everyone to fear God and realize the huge
responsibility that has befallen upon them. And to
realize catastrophe that happened to the Jihad in
Syria and the future of this Muslim Nation due to the
Fitnah that they are in. We call upon all those who
have religion to take care of the Jihad and work to
extinguish this Fitnah by stopping this fight. And
then settling the affairs by Islamic Courts to judge
between the Mujahideen.
Thirdly:
We confirm that the door of advice
between us and all is open. And any Muslim Mujahid
will have the right of brotherhood, support and
loyalty.
Conclusion
It is most likely ISIS will reply to this harsh
condemnation. But ISIS, stubborn and convinced of its
idea of a new Caliphate in the Levant, covering Iraq
and Syria, will not leave Syria soon. More infighting
is to be expected. Question however remains, how will
Jabhat an-Nusra, al-Qaeda's official branch in Syria,
respond …
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