A statement by the spokesman for al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) released Sunday has called for all Muslims to unite against the US, citing the US-led coalition against ISIS in Syria and Iraq and calling it “an attack on the entire Community of Muslims.” The Maghreb and Arabian branches of al Qaeda have also been vocal in their support for jihadi unity against the US-led coalition.
“The attack on Iraq and Syria is not against a particular group or organization,” the AQIS message reads, “Instead, it’s an attack on the entire Ummah [worlwide community of Muslims] aiming to terminate every Islamic and Jihadi movement which aims to stand against the tyranny and believes in the establishment of Shari’ah,” Tweeted the spokesman for AQIS, Usama Mahood, Sunday.
The call was reported by Thomas Joscelyn at The Long War Journal.
“The objective of this attack is the defense of Israel, protection of the global rule of tyranny and the subjugation of the Muslims,” continued the Tweet.
“Once again we call upon the Muslims worldwide to stand in support of the Mujahidīn against the American coalition and join this fard-al-ayn (absolute obligation of) Jihad to gain freedom, to protect their Deen, to guard their holy places and to establish the supremacy of Shari’ah.”
Although Mahmood does not explicitly name the Islamic State (ISIS) in his Tweet, the message is considered to be clearly aimed at ISIS.
ISIS was the first offshoot of al Qaeda. ISIS was disowned by al Qaeda last February, and has been fighting against the Al Nusrah Front–the main branch of al Qaeda in Syria–since the falling out.
“Also our message to the Mujahidīn of Iraq and Syria is that the elimination of American aggression is concealed in the brotherhood and union of all the Jihadi groups and organizations, reversion towards Allah (swt) and in fighting against this infidel coalition in firm ranks,” Mahmood tweeted.
AQIS is the newest branch of al Qaeda. It formation was announced in September, and AQIS is already credited with a bold attack on Pakistani warships that took place the same month.
Analysists suspect that al Qaeda is attempting to establish unity among jihadists worldwide, and is focusing on the US-led coalition attacking ISIS in Syria and Iraq. The Maghreb branch and the Arabian branch of al Queda are also trying to unite jihadists against the US-led coalition.
By James Haleavy