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Al-Qaida affiliate ceases fighting Isis in parts of Syria Al-Qaida affiliate ceases fighting Isis in parts of Syria
(about 1 hour later)
A Syrian al-Qaida affiliate has ordered its fighters to disengage from battles against Islamic State (Isis) in parts of the country where Turkey intends to create a “safe zone”.A Syrian al-Qaida affiliate has ordered its fighters to disengage from battles against Islamic State (Isis) in parts of the country where Turkey intends to create a “safe zone”.
The directive, which was published online on Monday, said the Nusra Front would refrain from fighting Isis in a swath of northern Syria in order to avoid indirectly aiding the US-led campaign against the terror group.The directive, which was published online on Monday, said the Nusra Front would refrain from fighting Isis in a swath of northern Syria in order to avoid indirectly aiding the US-led campaign against the terror group.
Last month the US-led coalition was given permission to use Turkish territory to strike Isis, and on Sunday six F-16 fighter jets and 300 personnel arrived at the Incirlik air base. Last month, the US-led coalition was given permission to use Turkish territory to strike Isis, and on Sunday six F-16 fighter jets and 300 personnel arrived at the Incirlik air base.
Related: US-trained Syrian rebels refuse to fight ​al-Qaida group after kidnappingsRelated: US-trained Syrian rebels refuse to fight ​al-Qaida group after kidnappings
The Nusra Front also urged other rebel groups not to cooperate with the coalition, to take a broader strategic view of the battlefield and rank their enemies. The Nusra Front also urged other rebel groups not to cooperate with the coalition, to take a broader strategic view of the battlefield and to rank their enemies.
But the order leaves other opposition groups, particularly in Syria’s former commercial capital of Aleppo, vulnerable to Isis advances, and further complicates the intricate web of insurgent politics in a civil war that rages on four years after the rebellion against Bashar al-Assad began.But the order leaves other opposition groups, particularly in Syria’s former commercial capital of Aleppo, vulnerable to Isis advances, and further complicates the intricate web of insurgent politics in a civil war that rages on four years after the rebellion against Bashar al-Assad began.
“We announce our withdrawal from the battle fronts against [Isis] in northern Aleppo’s countryside,” Nusra said in the statement. “We in the Nusra Front disallow entry into this coalition, whether by fighting in its ranks or seeking its assistance or even through coordination.”“We announce our withdrawal from the battle fronts against [Isis] in northern Aleppo’s countryside,” Nusra said in the statement. “We in the Nusra Front disallow entry into this coalition, whether by fighting in its ranks or seeking its assistance or even through coordination.”
Nusra pledged to continue fighting Isis in other areas of Syria, and said the planned Turkish intervention was not aimed at strategically changing the battlefield but rather was a result of Turkish national security concerns over the creation of a Kurdish state.Nusra pledged to continue fighting Isis in other areas of Syria, and said the planned Turkish intervention was not aimed at strategically changing the battlefield but rather was a result of Turkish national security concerns over the creation of a Kurdish state.
Kurds backed by US air strikes have cleared large amounts of territory in northern Syria from Isis. The Turkish government opposes the creation of a Kurdish statelet on its border. Kurds backed by US air strikes have cleared Isis from large amounts of territory in northern Syria. The Turkish government opposes the creation of a Kurdish statelet on its border.
Related: Turkey agrees plan for 'Isis-free zone' along Syrian borderRelated: Turkey agrees plan for 'Isis-free zone' along Syrian border
Nusra broke with Isis in 2013 after a public dispute between the leaders of the two groups. Nusra maintains its allegiance to al-Qaida’s leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, whereas Isis demanded loyalty to its self-proclaimed caliph, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.Nusra broke with Isis in 2013 after a public dispute between the leaders of the two groups. Nusra maintains its allegiance to al-Qaida’s leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, whereas Isis demanded loyalty to its self-proclaimed caliph, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Still, Nusra has on occasion found Isis an ally of convenience in some locales in Syria, brokering temporary cooperation. The al-Qaida affiliate has emerged as one of the most powerful rebel groups in the country, entering coalitions with other opposition fighters, most notably in the northern province of Idlib where it has scored a series of victories against the Assad regime along with their allies.Still, Nusra has on occasion found Isis an ally of convenience in some locales in Syria, brokering temporary cooperation. The al-Qaida affiliate has emerged as one of the most powerful rebel groups in the country, entering coalitions with other opposition fighters, most notably in the northern province of Idlib where it has scored a series of victories against the Assad regime along with their allies.
The decision leaves rebel groups in Aleppo exposed. While they seek to take control of the city, they have struggled to hold off an Isis assault from the north, where the terror group holds sway.The decision leaves rebel groups in Aleppo exposed. While they seek to take control of the city, they have struggled to hold off an Isis assault from the north, where the terror group holds sway.
Nusra’s statement said: “The factions who want a general battle with Isis at this time must make their decision after a full strategic study of the field, and studying all of the enemies … and rank them according to danger, importance, and priority.”Nusra’s statement said: “The factions who want a general battle with Isis at this time must make their decision after a full strategic study of the field, and studying all of the enemies … and rank them according to danger, importance, and priority.”