In a major policy shift Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri Monday declared its support for Daesh (ISIS).
Zawahiri, urged supporters to unite in the struggle against Russia and the West, suggesting more cooperation between Al-Qaeda and the ISIS.
The top militant, in an audio recording that surfaced on 1 November, has said jihadists should come together in confronting the united forces in Syria and Iraq.
“The Americans, Russians, Iranians, Alawites, and Hezbollah are coordinating their war against us — are we not capable of stopping the fighting amongst ourselves so we can direct all our efforts against them?” asked Zawahiri, who took over the leadership of al-Qaeda from slain leader Osama bin Laden.
It was unclear when or where exactly the audio was recorded but the footage surfaced on cyberspace through usual jihadist channels on 1 November, a day after Flight 7K9268 crashed in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula killing all 224 passengers and crew members aboard. Zawahiri’s tone indicates the remarks were made in the backdrop of Russia beginning airstrikes in Syria against Islamist targets.
“My mujahideen brothers in all places and of all groups … we face aggression from America, Europe, and Russia … so it’s up to us to stand together as one from East Turkestan to Morocco,” he is heard saying in the audio.
In a similar audio recording released in September, the al-Qaeda leader called the IS illegitimate and called the group’s chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi not the “caliph”. The two extremist groups have been competing against each other in recruiting jihadists and establishing their dominance in Middle East conflict zones
Earlier, Al Qaeda chief had declares war against ISIS leader, Al-Baghdadi and called him as the illegitimate leader of a phony caliphate.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
ACT NOW |
MONTHLY | Rs 100 | |
YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |