Al-Qaeda in Iraq admits role in Syria war [View all]

[Bosonic]

Last edited Tue Apr 9, 2013, 06:30 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: AFP

DAMASCUS — Al-Qaeda in Iraq confirmed on Tuesday long-held suspicions that Al-Nusra Front, a jihadist group fighting in Syria, is part of its network, an admission likely to sharpen debate on arming rebels.

"It is time to declare to the Levant and to the world that the Al-Nusra Front is simply a branch of the Islamic State of Iraq," ISI's chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi said in an audio message posted on jihadist forums.

The groups would be combined and called the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, Baghdadi said, describing Al-Nusra front leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani as "one of our soldiers".

"We chose al-Jawlani... as well as other fighters to go from Iraq to Syria... We prepared plans and work policies. We gave them money and personnel support," said Baghdadi.

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