’Al-Nusra Front’ Pledges Loyalty to ’ISIL’ After Months of Infighting

Local Editor

The so-called "al-Nusra Front" terrorist group made an oath of loyalty to the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" [ISIL] at a key town on the Iraqi border on Wednesday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

After months of infighting between the two militant groups, "al-Nusra Front" pledged loyalty to "ISIL" in Albu Kamal in Syria, said Observatory director Rami Abdel-Rahman.

According to him, he said, "The pledge comes amid advances by "ISIL" in Deir Ezzor province" in eastern Syria on the Iraqi border.

Although both "ISIL" and the "al-Nusra Front" are rooted in the al-Qaeda terrorist group, the two have been rivals for much of the time that "ISIL" has been involved in Syria's conflict since spring last year in 2013.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the merger was significant because it opens the way for "ISIL" to take control of both sides of the border at Albu Kamal in Syria and Al-Qaim in Iraq, where the militant group has led a major offensive this month [June].

Meanwhile, the Syrian air force carried out air raids targeting "ISIL"-controlled Raqa in the north of the country and Muhassen in the east.

Sources: News Agencies, Edited by website team