Al Qaeda declares WAR on ISIS as evil regimes go head to head in bloody showdown
Al Qaeda declares WAR on ISIS as evil regimes go head to head in bloody showdown
THE boss of Al Qaeda has declared war on fellow jihadists in Islamic State (ISIS) in a scathing attack discovered on the 14th anniversary of 9/11.
By SELINA SYKES
PUBLISHED: 12:04, Fri, Sep 11, 2015 | UPDATED: 13:42, Fri, Sep 11, 2015
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The boss of Al Qaeda has declared war on Islamic StateAyman al-Zawahiri, who replaced Osama bin Laden four years ago, said he had “no choice” but to destroy the competiton, in a angry rant at ISIS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Al-Zawahiri accused al-Baghdadi of "sedition" for last year calling on the world's Muslims to "obey" him as the head of the caliphate.
Egyptian doctor al-Zawahiri said in the message: “We have endured a lot of harm from Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and his brothers, and we preferred to respond with as little as possible, out of our concern to extinguish the fire of sedition.
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“But Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and his brothers did not leave us a choice, for they have demanded that all the mujahideen reject their confirmed pledges of allegiance, and to pledge allegiance to them for what they claim of a caliphate."
The imminent showdown could play into the hands of counter-terrorism operations – who could exploit conflict as the two jihadi groups are pitted against each other.
Al-Baghdadi declared himself as leader of the caliphate in a rare public speech in Mosul, Iraq, last year.
He said: "I am the wali [leader] who presides over you, though I am not the best of you, so if you see that I am right, assist me.
“If you see that I am wrong, advise me and put me on the right track, and obey me as long as I obey God in you.”
Zawahiri said "everyone was surprised" by al-Baghdadi's declaration, which he had done "without consulting the Muslims".
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Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has declared war on ISIS
I am the wali [leader] who presides over you
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
Counter terrorism expert Matthew Olsen said the dramatic move will cause an "irreconcilable" fracture between the two terror groups.
He said: Zawahiri until now has not been willing to openly condemn Baghdadi and ISIS - it highlights how deep the division is between al Qaeda leadership and ISIS.
"It suggests that the differences are irreconcilable.
"Had ISIS and al Qaeda realigned by joining forces, it would be terrible."
ISIS was originally the Iraqi branch of al Qaeda but spilt from the larger group two years ago.
The two militant groups have been competing against each other since the rise of ISIS hit the headlines for beheading Western prisoners and capturing large swaths of land in northern Iraq.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/...loody-showdown
