Jabhat An-Nusra Rebrands As Jabhat Fath As-Sham: 'To Safeguard The Jihad In As-Sham, Righteously And Strong'
23 August 2016By Al-Ikhwah Al-Mujahidun
On Sunday July 24, 2016 some analysts, activists and reporters started
speculating on an upcoming video release of Jabhat an-Nusra. It was widely
believed that Jabhat an-Nusra would sever its ties with its mother
organization al-Qaeda. Although only some claimed to have the necessary
contacts, described as high ranking islamists, for corroborating the claim, a
lot of details became known. It was said the video would be released on
Wednesday, that Abu Muhammad al-Julani would for the very first time show his
face, that Jabhat an-Nusra was going to be called Jabhat Fath as-Sham, there
were even pictures making the tour of what was supposedly the new flag of the
organization.
In the course of the next few days the speculation went on, only to be fueled
wider by speculative guesses on the nature of the message to be released by
Jabhat an-Nusra. What was pointed out by some is that this message probably
would come as a response to the talks between the United States and Russia to
cooperate intensely in targeting Nusra as a high value goal in oppressing the
al-Qaeda organization to gain a foothold in Syria and from there on plot
attacks against the West. Dutch contacts within Jabhat an-Nusra confirmed to
me that Abu Muhammad al-Julani would indeed appear bare-faced in the expected
video release and that he would make a statement on the groups stance towards
al-Qaeda and the other rebel groups in Syria. They wouldn't disclose any
details however, yet said they would address me after the video was
broadcasted (the fact that they're now fighting in the Aleppo offensive
doesn't promise a soon reply however).
After a lot of what ifs and when's a first audio statement was announced by
the new general Twitter account of Jabhat an-Nusra, al-Manara al-Bayda, early
Thursday 28th of July. The audio statement was published shortly after. In the
audio statement we heard the deputy of al-Qaeda's general leader, Dr. Ayman
az-Zawahiri, Shaykh Ahmad Hassan Abu al-Khayr state that they would ''[…] work
and use any possible means to safeguard the Jihad in as-Sham, righteously and
strong, and to remove from it any weak excuses which the enemy places to split
the Mujahidin from their supporting Sunni environment.'' He pointed to the
division and separation between the several groups involved in the war on the
regime, and in the tradition of Jabhat an-Nusra's previous communications,
calling for unity, stated: ''efforts must be headed towards a future stage
that establishes an entity for the Sunnis which represents their demands and
requests their rights.'' His most important message followed shortly after
when he stated: ''We call upon the leadership of Jabhat Nusra to work for that
which works in the interest of Islam and the Muslims and safeguards the Jihaad
of the people of Shaam and we press them on taking the appropriate steps
towards this matter.'' He concluded saying that this strategic move by Jabhat
an-Nusra wasn't only approved but even supported by al-Qaeda's senior
leadership, including Dr. Ayman az-Zawahiri.
The video wasn't even five minutes out before mainstream media outlets started
spewing out articles on how al-Qaeda gave its permission to Jabhat an-Nusra to
sever its ties with the main organization. It seemed as if the majority of the
articles published were all pre-edited, rather based on the rumors circulating
earlier that week, than on the audio that was just published. The general
message however did never include the option of breaking ties between both
groups. Al-Qaeda just stated that all means should be used to reinsure the
success of the revolution against the al-Assad regime and repeated its call
for unity within all groups fighting the regime.
Shortly after the release of the audio-statement by al-Qaeda, al-Manara al-Bayda
announced a new video featuring Abu Muhammad al-Julani. For the very first
time the man's face wasn't covered. The video itself opened with al-Julani
explicitly thanking the al-Qaeda leadership for ''their stance, whereby they
gave priority to the interests of the people of al-Sham''. Al-Julani continues
''They have practically implemented the words of Sheikh Osama bin Laden (may
Allah have mercy on him), when he said, ''The interests of the Ummah take
precedence over the interest of any state; the interests of the state take
precedence over the interest of any Jama'ah (group); the interests of the
Jama'ah (group) take precedence over any individual.'' Remarkably enough al-Julani
didn't only praise Osama bin Laden, he appeared dressed like him wearing
military clothing and a white turban. In what follows al-Julani stresses the
need for unification of the groups if the struggle against the unjust
oppressor is to be won. He mentions the group wants ''to expose the deceptions
of the international community, the leaders being the US and Russia, in their
relentless bombardment and displacement of the Muslim masses of Al Sham under
the pretense of targeting Jabhat al Nusrah, an al Qaeda affiliate.''
For these reasons al-Julani states ''we declare the complete cancellation of
all operations under the name of Jabhat Al Nusrah, and the formation of a new
group operating under the name ''Jabhat Fath Al Sham,'' noting that this new
organization has no affiliation to any external entity.'' Nowhere in the
entire statement did al-Julani say that his organization would break ties with
al-Qaeda, what he does state is that Jabhat Fath as-Sham would be an
organization with ''no affiliation to any external entity''. This points
however, for those willing to read between the lines, to the fact that the
leadership of al-Qaeda already is represented in this 'unaffiliated' new
organization. We know for a fact that several senior al-Qaeda operatives were
active within the ranks of Jabhat an-Nusra, changing the organization's name
is not going to change that.
Over the course of the next few days it became clear how well the entire
transition was planned. Group after group released a statement applauding the
newly formed Jabhat Fath as-Sham as an important faction in the war on the
regime, praising Abu Muhammad al-Julani for his excellent work. After the
fundaments were casted for what would likely become a formidable union of
several rebel groups, the next step was taken soon. On Sunday July 31st a
massive counteroffensive started in southern Aleppo. In an area where the
regime forces probably did not expect it, the joint groups cooperated on a
massive scale attacking the Syrian army frontlines again and again. By the end
of the day the rebel forces were close to even breaking the siege that holds
Aleppo's rebels and multiple civilians in a tight grip. It is to be expected
that this offensive will continue in the next few days and weeks. If the rebel
groups really manage to keep on cooperating in this offensive it would mean
that leaving al-Qaeda in name was a master move by the former Jabhat an-Nusra,
a move that might lead to a durable rebel coalition in Syria's northern
provinces. As one foreign fighter in Jabhat Fath as-Sham stated: ''Today in
Aleppo there isn't a difference between FSA, JaF, This group or that group.
All answered the call and moving together ….''
©
EsinIslam.Com
Add Comments