Arab Analyst Predicts Al-Nusra-ISIL Rapprochement after Recent Infightings

Rasa - Abdel Bari Atwan, the editor-in-chief of Rai al-Youm newspaper, referred to intensified infighting among the terrorist groups in Syria after the Astana peace talks, and underlined that they will possibly result in a rapprochement between the al-Nusra Front (Fatah al-Sham Front) and the ISIL.

News ID: 426920

Date: 28 January 2017 - 23:25

RNA - "The bloody clashes among the terrorist groups which participated in the Astana conference and al-Nusra Front were predictable, but US President Donald Trump's safe zone in Syria was unpredictable and actually he stepped onto the scene of Syria very soon," Atwan wrote in al-Rai al-Youm newspaper on Saturday.

He said the Astana meeting was one of Russia's smart achievements as Moscow could separate the al-Nusra Front from the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and Ahrar al-Sham to be able to annihilate the al-Nusa in Northern Syria and then the ISIL in the Western parts of the country.

Atwan underscored that the recent developments will possibly increase cooperation between the al-Nusra and ISIL since they will be the main focus of attacks by the Syrian army and its allied forces.

He said Moscow was surprised by Trump's decision to create a safe zone in Syria, as it will result in the United States' extensive deployment of forces and equipment in Syria.

Atwan emphasized that the crisis in Syria has entered a new stage which will put an end to recent optimism resulted from the Astana conference and will create new equations.

Field reports said on Thursday that intense infighting continues among the terrorist groups in Syria with al-Nusra Front launching heavy attacks on Idlib's Central Jail in the Western parts of the city.

The al-Nusra Front has intensified its attacks against other militants and is now attempting to take control of Hayyan town in Northern Aleppo by surrounding Faylaq al-Sham and Jabha al-Shamiya terrorists' positions in the region, a field source said.

Meantime, a field commander of al-Nusra Front, namely Taha al-Khatib, along with 5 members of the terrorist group were killed in clashes with Soqour al-Sham militants in Jabal al-Zawiya region in Southern Idlib.

After clashes intensified between the al-Nusra Front and other militants, the terrorist groups of Soqour al-Sham, Jeish al-Islam (in Idlib), Jeish al-Mujahedeen, Istaqam Kama Amart and al-Jabha al-Shamiya (in Western Aleppo) declared unity with Ahrar al-Sham terrorist group.

847/940