Jaish Muhammad fi Bilad al Sham (Army of Muhammad in Syria, JM), a foreign fighter group operating in northern Syria, has officially joined Al Nusrah Front. Their pledge came after years of fighting alongside al Qaeda’s official branch in Syria and its old leader pledging bayah (allegiance) to al Qaeda’s overall leader Ayman al Zawahiri.
Tag Archives: al-Qaeda
‘US Strikes Syrian Al-Qaeda Cells Planning Attacks on Western Soil’ by Sputnik
The US military is specifically targeting Al Qaeda cells in Syria that are planning terrorist attacks against the United States and Europe, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman Col. Steve Warren told reporters.
‘Al-Qaida Thinking Longer-Term Than Rival IS’ by VOA News
This article details a study which claims Al-Qaida’s affiliate in Syria is building a larger base of support among insurgents in the war-torn country, and is having some success in persuading regional governments that it should be seen as a useful partner, by marketing itself as the moderate alternative to Islamic State extremists.
‘Foreign Fighters in Syria’
This study analyzes the phenomenon of foreign fighters participating in the fighting in Syria, most of them in organizations affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the global jihad.
‘Al Shabaab’s Foreign Threat to Somalia’
This article focuses on the threat to Somalia by al Shabaab (The Youth), an extremist organization that controls most of southern and central Somalia. It learned its strategy and tactics from al Qaeda and the Taliban and relies heavily on a relatively small number of foreign fighters, most of whom are Somalis with foreign passports from the large Somali diaspora.
‘Differences between Islamic State and Al-Qaida’ by Jacob Greene
This project provides an analysis of the strategic, operational, and organisational differences between ISIS and al-Qaeda.
‘The Islamic State: From al-Qaeda Affiliate to Caliphate’ by Ahmed Hashim
This article, by Ahmed Hashim, shows the trajectory the group we know today as IS had from an al-Qaeda affiliate, to a separatist group labelled the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), until in June 2014 it officially declared itself the Islamic State (IS).
‘Strategic Differencies: Al Qaeda’s Split with the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham’ by John Turner
Ayman al-Zawahiri and the al Qaeda inner circle recognise that a global terror movement and civil conflicts in the Middle East, brought about by the Arab revolutions, necessitate different operational methods. As such, they have disavowed the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham for their insubordination and unconstrained tactics, a move that has implications for the Middle East, international relations, the legitimacy of the al Qaeda leadership, and the future of the Global Jihad.
‘CFR ISIS Background’ by Council on Foreign Relations
This short report provides an overview of ISIS origins, expansion and territory. It also explores the groups relationship with Al-Qaeda and how it gathers funding and finances.
‘Isil is Winning’ by Politico
Bruce Hoffman argues that Fourteen years after terror struck the U.S., US strategy to defeat terrorism is failing.
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