[{"command":"openDialog","selector":"#drupal-modal","settings":null,"data":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022ds-1col clearfix\u0022\u003E\n\n  \n\n  \n  \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Connection between Iraq and  Al-Qaeda\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn  October 2002, the Saudi paper \u003Cem\u003EAl-Riyadh\u003C\/em\u003E reported al-Qaeda\u2019s statements  in response to the Bush administration\u2019s allegations that al-Qaeda and Iraq  were connected. According to the paper, the organization claimed that Saddam  Hussein was \u201con al-Qaeda\u2019s assassination list,\u201d and its spokesman, who called  himself Abdulrahman al-Rashed, said that Saddam was just like Bush in terms of  \u201cbarbarism, brutality, and [religious] disbelief,\u201d adding that Bush made  allegations against Saddam \u201cto control the oil of Iraq.\u201d\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003E\u201cAl-Qaeda: Saddam \u2018ala Qa\u2019ima  Al-Ightiyalat,\u201d \u003Cem\u003EAl-Riyadh\u003C\/em\u003E, October 11, 2002, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.alriyadh.com\/Contents\/11-10-2002\/Mainpage\/POLITICS_2637.php\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.alriyadh.com\/Contents\/11-10-2002\/Mainpage\/POLITICS_2637.php\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003C\/span\u003E \u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EGenerally,  the Arab media\u2019s coverage of alleged links between Saddam Hussein\u2019s regime and  al-Qaeda was fairly neutral leading up to the Iraq war. Al Jazeeradedicated the bulk of its reporting to U.S.  President George W. Bush\u2019s State of the Union address in late January 2003 on Iraq\u2019s  suspected weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The only mention the network made  of al-Qaeda was a brief portion of the speech where Bush claimed that there was  intelligence and secret communications showing that Saddam \u201caids and protects  terrorists, including members of al-Qaeda.\u201d\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003E\u201cBush Yataham Al-Ra\u2019is Al-Iraqi  bi Izdira\u2019 Al-Umam Al-Mutahida,\u201d Al  Jazeera, January 29, 2003, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/aljazeera.net\/news\/pages\/de0c2868-c172-46e0-ae10-96bb46f58c7d\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/aljazeera.net\/news\/pages\/de0c2868-c172-46e0-ae10-96bb46f58c7d\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003C\/span\u003E \u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ELeading  pan-Arab newspaper \u003Cem\u003EAl-Hayat\u003C\/em\u003E also  dedicated scant coverage to the al-Qaeda connection. On top of the same lines  from Bush\u2019s speech that Al Jazeera reported,  the paper included comments from the British Foreign Office saying that  al-Qaeda agents had taken refuge in Iraq. \u201cWe believe that there have been  al-Qaeda operatives in parts of Iraq controlled by Baghdad. It is hard to  imagine that they are there without the knowledge and acquiescence of the Iraqi  Government.\u201d \u003Cem\u003EAl-Hayat\u003C\/em\u003E noted that it was the first time London had  discussed connections between al-Qaeda and the Hussein regime. According to the  paper, Prime Minister Blair had only spoken of the existence of \u201crelationships\u201d  between the two, but that he \u201cwas not sure of the true extent of these relationships.\u201d\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003ERagida Dargam, Jalal Al-Mashata,  Basil Rifa\u2019ia, Arafan Rasheed and Zaki Shahab, \u201cBush Yataham Baghdad bi Alaqa  ma\u2019 \u2018Al-Qaeda\u2019 wa Ya\u2019idu Al-Amirkiyin bi Intidhar\u2026\u201d \u003Cem\u003EAl Hayat\u003C\/em\u003E, January  30, 2003, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/daharchives.alhayat.com\/issue_archive\/Hayat%20INT\/2003\/1\/30\/%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%B4-%D9%8A%D8%AA%D9%87%D9%85-%D8%A8%D8%BA%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%94%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%94%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%86-%D9%8A%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%84%D9%85-6-%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%94%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%81-16-20-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81-%D8%AC%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%AF.html\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/daharchives.alhayat.com\/issue_archive\/Hayat%20INT\/2003\/1\/30\/\u003Cspan dir=\u0022RTL\u0022\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan dir=\u0022RTL\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan dir=\u0022RTL\u0022\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan dir=\u0022RTL\u0022\u003E\u0628\u0648\u0634-\u064a\u062a\u0647\u0645-\u0628\u063a\u062f\u0627\u062f-\u0628\u0639\u0644\u0627\u0642\u0629-\u0645\u0639-\u0627\u0644\u0642\u0627\u0639\u062f\u0629-\u0648\u064a\u0639\u062f-\u0627\u0644\u0627\u0654\u0645\u064a\u0631\u0643\u064a\u064a\u0646-\u0628\u0627\u0646\u062a\u0635\u0627\u0631-\u0648\u0627\u0644\u0627\u0654\u0631\u062f\u0646-\u064a\u062a\u0633\u0644\u0645-6-\u0637\u0627\u064a\u0654\u0631\u0627\u062a-\u0627\u0641-16-20-\u0627\u0644\u0641-\u062c\u0646\u062f\u064a-\u0627\u0645\u064a\u0631\u0643\u064a-\u0627\u0644\u0649-\u0643\u0631\u062f\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EZarqawi Pledges Allegiance to  Al-Qaeda\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen  Abu Musab al-Zarqawi pledged his allegiance to Osama bin Laden, Al Arabiya noted that the  announcement reinforced analysts\u2019 reports that Zarqawi\u2019s organization was  indeed subordinate to al-Qaeda\u2019s central leadership. The network said that  Zarqawi\u2019s pledge represented a trump card for U.S. President George W. Bush\u2019s  election campaign claims that he was fighting a war in Iraq against al-Qaeda.  An analyst interviewed for the article noted that pledging allegiance to bin  Laden would enhance Zarqawi\u2019s legitimacy among jihadi groups in Iraq.\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003EOmar Al-Ansari, \u201cAl-Zarqawi  Ya\u2019lan \u2018Baya\u2019tuhu Li Bin Laden \u2018ala Al-Sama\u2019 wa Al-Ta\u2019a,\u201d Al Arabiya, October 17, 2004, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.alarabiya.net\/articles\/2004\/10\/17\/7218.html\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.alarabiya.net\/articles\/2004\/10\/17\/7218.html\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMiddle East Onlinereflected several points of view  in its coverage. The outlet quoted Yasser Sirri, director of the Islamic  Observatory in London, who said that the pledge proved the \u201cinvalidity of  American allegations about the relationship between al-Qaeda and Saddam Hussein  [who are allegedly connected through] al-Zarqawi.\u201d\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003EHabib Trablusi, \u201cTahlil: Limatha  Qarara Al-Zarqawi Mubaya\u2019a Bin Laden Al-An?\u201d Middle East Online, October 18, 2004, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.middle-east-online.com\/?id=26723\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.middle-east-online.com\/?id=26723\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003C\/span\u003E \u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHowever,  Abdel Bari Atwan, who was then editor of \u003Cem\u003EAl-Quds Al-Arabi\u003C\/em\u003E, said that the  pledge removed all doubt about \u201cal-Zarqawi\u2019s connection with Bin Laden\u2026 Al-Zarqawi  is a graduate from Bin Laden\u2019s school, trained in Afghanistan. He went to Iraq  and founded a wing of the organization\u2026 Al-Qaeda is a horizontal organization  and not vertical. Bin Laden is the spiritual father.\u201d\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003EHabib Trablusi, \u201cTahlil: Limatha  Qarara Al-Zarqawi Mubaya\u2019a Bin Laden Al-An?\u201d Middle East Online, October 18, 2004, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.middle-east-online.com\/?id=26723\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.middle-east-online.com\/?id=26723\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAl-Zarqawi\u2019s Death\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile  Al Jazeera televisionreported  details of the airstrike that killed al-Zarqawi in Diyala Province and remarks  from Iraqi and U.S. leaders, the network also carried an acknowledgement of his  death from the Mujahideen Shura Council. The report included a statement from  the spokesman of the Islamic Army in Iraq, who said that his group and  Zarqawi\u2019s were \u201cbrothers in religion and unity of purpose.\u201d Curiously, the  network dedicated part of its reporting to his family\u2019s reaction in Jordan,  noting that they set up a tent at their home where they could grieve his  martyrdom. According to the network, Jordanian authorities also briefly  detained Al Jazeera\u2019s Amman bureau chief and technical crew while they were  interviewing Zarqawi\u2019s brother-in-law live in Zarqa.\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003E\u201cAl-Jaysh Al-Amriki Yakshif  Tafasil Ameliyah Muqatal Al-Zarqawi,\u201d Al  Jazeera, June 9, 2006, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.aljazeera.net\/news\/pages\/8c438fb5-2b8c-48c4-a8cf-7ca0f06b1413\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.aljazeera.net\/news\/pages\/8c438fb5-2b8c-48c4-a8cf-7ca0f06b1413\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAl Arabiya  devoted even more space to the reactions from Zarqawi\u2019s family in Jordan. After  first reporting on Mujahideen Shura Council\u2019s statements, the network  transitioned to the scene in Zarqa where Zarqawi\u2019s elder brother was accepting  condolences. The women at the family home were sobbing, wearing all black. Several  of the men told them not to cry because \u201cal-Zarqawi is a martyr, and [you]  should not cry over the martyrs.\u201d According to the network\u2019s sources, the women  described those who killed Zarqawi as \u201ctraitors and criminals.\u201d\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003E\u201cAl-Qaeda Tu\u2019aki Muqatal  Al-Zarqawi..wa Ishiqahu Yabdaun Talaqi Al-Aza\u2019 fi Al-Urdun,\u201d Al Arabiya, June 8, 2006, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.alarabiya.net\/articles\/2006\/06\/08\/24475.html\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.alarabiya.net\/articles\/2006\/06\/08\/24475.html\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECoverage  from London-based Arabic newspaper Asharq  al-Awsat,in both English and Arabic, omitted the reaction from  Zarqawi\u2019s grieving family. Instead, the paper reported statements from top U.S.  and Iraqi officials and details of the raid. The paper wrote that \u201cSuicide car  bombers sent by Zarqawi have targeted Shiite mosques in the past as part of a  campaign to plunge Iraq into sectarian civil war.\u201d The paper also noted a  \u201cboost of confidence among American and Iraqi officials\u201d following his death.\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003E\u201cIraq Hails Zarqawi Death As New  Era,\u201d \u003Cem\u003EAsharq Al-Awsat English\u003C\/em\u003E, June 9, 2006, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.aawsat.net\/2006\/06\/article55266415\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.aawsat.net\/2006\/06\/article55266415\u003C\/a\u003E; \u201cMuqatal Al-Zarqawi fi Gara  Jawiya Amrikiya \u2018ala Mukhibihi fi Reef B\u2019Aquba,\u201d \u003Cem\u003EAsharq Al-Awsat\u003C\/em\u003E, June  9, 2006, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/aawsat.com\/details.asp?section=4\u0026amp;article=367369\u0026amp;issueno=10055#.U6CQy7HOddg\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/aawsat.com\/details.asp?section=4\u0026amp;article=367369\u0026amp;issueno=10055#.U6CQy7HOddg\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAl-Qaeda in Iraq\u2019s Decline \u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn  May 2008, Al Arabiyareported  that Iraqi military operations in Ninevah province, home to Mosul and one of  the most dangerous cities in Iraq, had achieved their objectives of  \u201cdismantling al-Qaeda\u201d and \u201cweakening armed groups\u201d by arresting senior leaders  affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI). According to Iraq\u2019s Interior  Ministry spokesman, the army had arrested 1480 men during its operations, half  of them from ISI, Ansar al Sunna, the Mujahideen Army, and the Naqshbandi  Brigades. According to the spokesman, \u201clarge numbers of those wanted  surrendered to our forces and were released after making pledges through clan  elders.\u201d\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003E\u201cAl-Dakhiliya Al-Iraqiya: \u2018Um  Al-Rabiaeen\u2019\u201d Fakakat Tandhim \u2018Al-Qaeda\u2019 fi Ninewa,\u201d Al Arabiya, May 24, 2008, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.alarabiya.net\/articles\/2008\/05\/24\/50357.html\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.alarabiya.net\/articles\/2008\/05\/24\/50357.html\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn  February 2008, an article in Egypt\u2019s \u003Cem\u003EAl-Ahram \u003C\/em\u003Ehighlighted the pros and  cons of leveraging the Awakening Councils to weaken ISI. The article noted that  the councils had become an important cornerstone of the Iraqi security equation  by reducing levels of violence in certain areas by as much as 60 percent, and  achieving unexpected success in defeating ISI. \u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHowever,  the article raised several concerns about the councils. One worry was that the  councils would turn against the Shiites after American forces withdrew from the  country, noting that council formations had begun taking the place of regular  military formations. Another concern was that arming thousands of Sunnis would  prompt the rise of Shiite militias in response, while failing to integrate the  Sunnis into the government may push them back into insurgency. Finally, the  article cautioned that the councils could maintain their own agendas separate  from the central government in Baghdad, imposing their control over provinces  and further dividing Iraqi society.\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003EAhmad Diyab, \u201cMajalis Al-Sahwa  wa Al-Aman fi Al-Iraq,\u201d \u003Cem\u003EAl-Ahram\u003C\/em\u003E, February 1, 2008, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/digital.ahram.org.eg\/articles.aspx?Serial=703813\u0026amp;eid=35\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/digital.ahram.org.eg\/articles.aspx?Serial=703813\u0026amp;eid=35\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EDeath of Abu Omar al-Baghdadi and  Abu Ayyub al-Masri\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EUnlike  several reports on Abu Musab al-Zarqawi\u2019s death, Arab media reports on the  deaths of Abu Omar al-Baghdadi and Abu Ayyub al-Masri offered little more than  details on the raid and statements of praise from Iraqi and U.S. leaders.  According to a statement from then Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki carried  by Asharq al-Awsat, Iraqi and  U.S. forces also arrested a majority of ISI\u2019s senior leaders who \u201cwere planning  a large criminal act during the last two days, planning to target a large  number of churches.\u201d Maliki also claimed that \u201c[ISI] has become weaker than ever  after this strike\u2026\u201d\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003E\u201cMuqatal Al-Baghdadi wa Al-Masri  Za\u2019imi \u2018Al-Qaeda\u2019 Qarb Musaqat Ras Saddam Bi-Daraba Iraqiyyah-Amirkiyyah,\u201d \u003Cem\u003EAsharq  Al-Awsat\u003C\/em\u003E, April 20, 2010, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.aawsat.com\/details.asp?section=4\u0026amp;issueno=11466\u0026amp;article=566043%20#.U6CkkrHOdoI\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.aawsat.com\/details.asp?section=4\u0026amp;issueno=11466\u0026amp;article=566043%20#.U6CkkrHOdoI\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEgypt\u2019s \u003Cem\u003EAl-Masri Al-Youm \u003C\/em\u003Ecarried slightly more hyperbolic statements from Prime  Minister Maliki, including his assertion that the intelligence operation was  able to \u201cachieve a quality blow that broke the back of al-Qaeda.\u201d Furthermore,  Maliki described their deaths as a \u201crush of good news to all of the Iraqi  people and the civilized world\u2026.\u201d\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003E\u201cAl-Maliki Ya\u2019lan Muqatal Abu  Omar Al-Baghdadi wa Abu Ayyub Al-Marsi Za\u2019imay Tandhim Al-Qaeda Bil-Iraq,\u201d \u003Cem\u003EAl-Masri  Al-Youm\u003C\/em\u003E, April 19, 2010, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.almasryalyoum.com\/news\/details\/1570\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.almasryalyoum.com\/news\/details\/1570\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAl Jazeeranoted that the timing of the announcement was  important for Maliki\u2019s credibility, pointing out that his government had  declared al-Baghdadi dead the previous year on official TV, only to have those  claims denied by al-Qaeda. Mustafa al-Ani, a security advisor from the Gulf  Research Centre, was quoted saying that he didn\u2019t believe \u201cMaliki is going to  risk losing his credibility a second time without verifying the identity.\u201d At  the same time, the article pointed to the importance of the operation for  Maliki as he tried to gain support for his State of Law coalition after  parliamentary elections.\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003E\u201cAl-Qaeda in Iraq Leaders  \u2018Killed\u2019,\u201d Al Jazeera English,  April 19, 2010, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/middleeast\/2010\/04\/2010419175741872481.html\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/middleeast\/2010\/04\/2010419175741872481.html\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAQI: Neutralized or Resurgent?\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn  June 2010, \u003Cem\u003EAsharq al-Awsat\u003C\/em\u003E carried  reporting from the \u003Cem\u003ENew York Times\u003C\/em\u003E that alleged AQI\u2019s communication with al-Qaeda Central in Pakistan had been cut  off. The report ran General Ray Odierno\u2019s statement that due to losses  inflicted on the network, \u201cit would be difficult for them to continue to  recruit new members.\u201d Iraqi Defense Minister Abdel Qader Jassim also noted in  the story that security forces were in the final stages of clearing al-Qaeda  members from Basra Province after numerous senior leaders were arrested.\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003EJasim Dakhil, \u201cAl-Qa\u2019id  Al-Askari Al-Amirki: \u2018Al-Qaeda\u2019 fi Al-Iraq Faqadat Al-Itisal bi Qiyadatiha  Al-Markaziyyah fi Bakistan,\u201d \u003Cem\u003EAsharq Al-Awsat\u003C\/em\u003E, June 6, 2010, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/classic.aawsat.com\/details.asp?section=4\u0026amp;issueno=11513\u0026amp;article=572673\u0026amp;feature=#.U6DYHLHOddg\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/classic.aawsat.com\/details.asp?section=4\u0026amp;issueno=11513\u0026amp;article=572673\u0026amp;feature=#.U6DYHLHOddg\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAfter  Osama bin Laden was killed on May 2, 2011, Egypt\u2019s Masrawyquoted Iraq\u2019s Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari  saying that bin Laden \u201cgot what he deserved\u201d and that his death would be a blow  to his followers. Zebari alleged at the time that Iraq was weakening al-Qaeda  there. \u201cAl-Qaeda lost the ability to carry out terrorist campaigns permanently.  Terrorists can no longer work from\u2026liberated regions\u2026They no longer have  control over any cities \u2013 they now need a month or two for preparing attacks.\u201d\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003E\u201cSahifa: Wazir Kharijiya Al-Iraq  Sa\u2019id bi Muqatal Bin Laden,\u201d Masrawy,  May 5, 2011, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.masrawy.com\/news\/mideast\/reuters\/2011\/may\/5\/5245985.aspx\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.masrawy.com\/news\/mideast\/reuters\/2011\/may\/5\/5245985.aspx\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHowever,  by the following July, \u003Cem\u003EAsharq al-Awsat\u003C\/em\u003E quoted Iraqi intelligence sources when stating that there had  been a resurgence in al-Qaeda activities, particularly in western Iraq. The  outlet pointed out that the organization\u2019s return to Iraq aligned with a recent  statement from its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, calling on young Muslims to  begin returning to parts of Iraq that the organization had left.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn  October 2012, BBC Arabichighlighted  an intelligence report from U.S. Inspector General Stuart Bowen that noted  Iraq\u2019s security had deteriorated significantly over the past year amidst a  revival of ISI. The report claimed that when American forces were leaving Iraq  in late 2011, there were less than 800 al-Qaeda members in Iraq; as of late  2012, there were \u201cat least 2,500\u201d members who were living and training in five  camps in Anbar Province and Salahuddin Province.\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003E\u201cTaqrir Amriki: Al-\u2018Anf  Yatazayid fi Al-Iraq Wast Al-Fasad,\u201d BBC  Arabic, October 31, 2012, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/arabic\/middleeast\/2012\/10\/121031_iraq_corruption.shtml\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/arabic\/middleeast\/2012\/10\/121031_iraq_corruption.shtml\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EEmerging in Syria or Regime  Propaganda?\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETwo  weeks after car bombs struck the State Security Directorate in Damascus on  December 23, 2011, Asharq Al-Awsatran  a story titled \u201cSyria: The Lie of Al-Qaeda,\u201d which featured Syrian opposition  members pinning the blame for the attacks on Bashar al-Assad\u2019s regime. The  article quoted Hani al-Sibai, director of the Al-Maqrizi Studies Center in  London, saying that the explosions were strange \u201cin a country governed by a  totalitarian regime based on a security machine,\u201d and that the regime was using  the al-Qaeda boogeyman to suspend its failure in dealing with demonstrators  peaceful requests. The article also featured the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood\u2019s  former Supreme Guide, Ali Sadr al-Deen al-Bayouni, who claimed that several  days before the bombings, one of the regime\u2019s media outlets carried a  fabricated intelligence report on al-Qaeda elements infiltrating Syria from  Lebanon. According to al-Bayouni, there were also leaked reports inside Syria  that the regime had transferred hundreds of civilian detainees to the security  centers that were bombed, and then buried them before identifying the bodies.\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003EMohamed Al-Shafa\u2019I, \u201cSuriya:  Akdhuba \u2018Al-Qaeda,\u2019\u201d \u003Cem\u003EAsharq Al-Awsat\u003C\/em\u003E, January 6, 2012, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.aawsat.com\/details.asp?section=45\u0026amp;article=657599\u0026amp;issueno=12092#.U6GBNbHOdoI\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.aawsat.com\/details.asp?section=45\u0026amp;article=657599\u0026amp;issueno=12092#.U6GBNbHOdoI\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWriting  in Al Arabiyathe day of  the attacks, however, Faris Bin Hazam observed that the \u201cpresence of suicide  bombers in the heart of Damascus is not a surprising step, and it is not  possible for any sane person to rule it out. Didn\u2019t Damascus control the  passage of suicide bombers to Iraq?\u201d Hazam concluded by saying that it was only  natural for the Syrian regime to reap what it sowed over the years, citing an  \u201cestablished fact that the regime, which supported and nurtured killing in  Iraq, will one day live the same scene.\u201d\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003EFaris Bin Hazam, \u201cLiltadhkir:  \u2018Al-Qaeda\u2019 fi Suriya..Haqiqa,\u201d Al  Arabiya, December 23, 2011, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.alarabiya.net\/views\/2011\/12\/23\/184155.html\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.alarabiya.net\/views\/2011\/12\/23\/184155.html\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EIslamic State of Iraq Merges with  Nusra Front\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOne  month after ISI leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi announced his group\u2019s merger with the  Nusra Front in Syria, Al-Quds Al-Arabi  reported that Nusra\u2019s influence was waning against the more extreme ISI. The  article alleged that Nusra had been gaining support with other Syrian  opposition groups because of its discipline and battlefield successes. In  contrast, Baghdadi was not popular among the opposition due to his focus on  enforcing Islamic rule instead of overthrowing the Assad regime. The article  quoted one source close to Nusra Front leader Abu Mohamad al-Jolani stating,  \u201cWe reject his presence in Syria\u2026 He should take his fighters and return to  Iraq. We do not accept his methods.\u201d\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003E\u201cTaraji\u2019a Nufudh Jabhat Al-Nusra  fi Suriya amam Dawlat Al-Iraq Al-Islamiya,\u201d \u003Cem\u003EAl-Quds Al-Arabi\u003C\/em\u003E, May 18,  2013, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.alquds.co.uk\/?p=45334\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.alquds.co.uk\/?p=45334\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen  al-Qaeda Central leader Ayman al-Zawahri annulled the merger between the groups,  Al Jazeera blamed Abu  Bakr al-Baghdadi for Nusra\u2019s hardships, noting al-Zawahiri\u2019s criticism that  Baghdadi was wrong to announce the merger without consulting or notifying  al-Qaeda\u2019s leadership. The network cited a Nusra militant who said that when  the two groups merged, nearly 70 percent of its members\u2014especially the  non-Syrians\u2014joined the new organization in Idlib. According to him, the  defection rates were even higher in eastern regions of Syria.\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003EBasma Atassi, \u201cAl-Zawahiri  Yulghi Damaj \u2018Jihadi\u2019 Suriya wal Iraq,\u201d Al  Jazeera, June 9, 2013, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.aljazeera.net\/news\/pages\/a5a7d33e-3c9f-4706-b070-e358b5e67236\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.aljazeera.net\/news\/pages\/a5a7d33e-3c9f-4706-b070-e358b5e67236\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESafe Haven for Foreign Fighters\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn  late 2013, Arabic media outlets picked up a report from the BBC that foreign jihadists  were crossing into Syria via safe houses in southern Turkey. \u003Cem\u003EAl-Quds  Al-Arabi\u003C\/em\u003E cited the report\u2019s  claim that more than 150 people stayed in one particular safe haven over the  course of 90 days, including about 15 to 20 Britons. According to one fighter  from the Free Syrian Army (FSA) that \u003Cem\u003EAl-Quds Al-Arabi\u003C\/em\u003E interviewed, the  jihadists were not only fighting the Assad regime, other rebel groups as well.  The FSA fighter said that they had \u201cundertaken a revolution for freedom and  equality, but the jihadists don\u2019t want that. They have come to destroy Syria.\u201d\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003E\u201cBBC: Jihadiyun Ajanib  Yastakhdamun Manazil Amina fi Junub Turkia Lil Intiqal ila Suria,\u201d \u003Cem\u003EAl-Quds Al-Arabi\u003C\/em\u003E,  December 7, 2013, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.alquds.co.uk\/?p=111342\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.alquds.co.uk\/?p=111342\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn  May 2014, \u003Cem\u003EAsharq Al-Awsat \u003C\/em\u003Ereported Washington\u2019s increasing fears about  the numbers of foreign fighters, including Americans, that were flooding into  Syria. These jihadists were getting trained and potentially returning home as national  security threats. At the time, intelligence estimates put the number of  American citizens fighting in Syria at around 100, though sources indicate the  number was likely higher. The report cited figures from Le Monde, which alleged that there were 300 French jihadists,  200 from Belgium, 100 from the Netherlands, 300-400 Britons, dozens of Germans,  and 15,000 foreign fighters from 70 other countries.\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003EHiba al-Qudsi, \u201cAkthar min 100  Amirki Andamu Lil Jihadiyin fi Suria,\u201d \u003Cem\u003EAsharq Al-Awsat\u003C\/em\u003E, May 21, 2014, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.aawsat.com\/details.asp?section=4\u0026amp;article=772665\u0026amp;issueno=12958#.U6Gl17HOdoI\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.aawsat.com\/details.asp?section=4\u0026amp;article=772665\u0026amp;issueno=12958#.U6Gl17HOdoI\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ERebel Infighting\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn  January 2014, \u003Cem\u003EAl-Quds Al-Arabi\u003C\/em\u003E documented fighting in Raqqa between ISIS  and the Islamic Front, an umbrella group of seven rebel factions. The paper\u2019s  report cited numbers from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which  claimed that almost 700 people were killed during nine days of fighting between  ISIS and rebel groups. Like many other reports, \u003Cem\u003EAl-Quds Al-Arabi\u003C\/em\u003E mentioned that other opposition  fighters accused ISIS of kidnapping, detaining, and murdering opponents. The  paper also reported that members of an unnamed fighting group attacked an ISIS  commander\u2019s house, \u201ckidnapped his mother and sister, and raped his mother\u2026\u201d\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003E\u201c700 Qatil fi Al-Ma\u2019rik bain  Al-Jihadiyin wa Muqatilai Al-Ma\u2019arida Al-Suriya\u2026wa \u2018Da\u2019ash\u2019 Tastawali \u2018ala  Ma\u2019bar Tel Abyad,\u201d \u003Cem\u003EAl-Quds Al-Arabi\u003C\/em\u003E, January 12, 2014, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.alquds.co.uk\/?p=122434\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.alquds.co.uk\/?p=122434\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn  addition to fighting each other on the battlefield, Al Jazeerareportedthat rebel groups were trading  insults on social media sites like WhatsApp and Twitter. According to the  network, social media accounts that either supported or were affiliated with  ISIS would accuse people linked to the Mujahideen Army, Islamic Front, and  Syrian Rebel Front, of not supporting jihad in Syria. ISIS targets for such  shaming were also compared the Awakening Councils in Iraq, who took money from  Arab regimes to fight al-Qaeda.\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003EMohamed Al-Najar, \u201cHarb bain  \u2018Al-Jihadiyin\u2019 \u2018ala Muwaq\u2019a Al-Tawasul,\u201d Al  Jazeera, January 15, 2014, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.aljazeera.net\/news\/pages\/E7195226-CCFC-4F24-8841-697962C0CCD2\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.aljazeera.net\/news\/pages\/E7195226-CCFC-4F24-8841-697962C0CCD2\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E Meanwhile, supporters of the anti-ISIS factions accused ISIS of being an  Iranian agent, and call them Kharijites\u2014a slanderous reference to early Muslims  who rejected the rule of the Prophet Muhammad\u2019s grandson Ali. \u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ENusra  Front and ISIS supporters also clashed online, as ISIS supporters accused Nusra  and its leader, Abu Mohamed al-Jolani, of betraying the mujahideen and standing  on the sidelines while the other factions fought it. In opposition, the Nusra  Front\u2019s followers focused on ISIS\u2019s executions of Nusra leaders and members.\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003EMohamed Al-Najar, \u201cHarb bain  \u2018Al-Jihadiyin\u2019 \u2018ala Muwaq\u2019a Al-Tawasul,\u201d Al  Jazeera, January 15, 2014, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.aljazeera.net\/news\/pages\/E7195226-CCFC-4F24-8841-697962C0CCD2\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.aljazeera.net\/news\/pages\/E7195226-CCFC-4F24-8841-697962C0CCD2\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAl-Qaeda Central Cuts Off ISIS\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAfter  al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri officially cut off ISIS from the organization,  Al Arabiya\u2019sInstitute  for Studies published an article highlighting the damage the infighting among  Syria\u2019s Islamist groups had done to the cause of jihad, similar to the Islamist  infighting during Algeria\u2019s civil war in the 1990s. The author hypothesized  that, after watching how infighting collapsed Islamist rule in Algeria,  al-Qaeda Central decided to \u201cpull the rug [out from underneath] ISIS early on.\u201d  However, the author cautioned, ISIS maintains substantial influence inside  Syria, and \u201c90 percent of Arab and foreign fighters going to fight in Syria are  joining under its banner,\u201d making it the largest fighting faction among all  other rebel groups.\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003EAhmad Nazif, \u201c\u2019Al-Qawa\u2019id\u2019  Al-Jadida ba\u2019d Al-Zawahiri..min Da\u2019ish ila Ansar Al-Shari\u2019ah,\u201d Al Arabiya Institute for Studies,  March 2, 2014, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/studies.alarabiya.net\/hot-issues\/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B8%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%B4-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%A9\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/studies.alarabiya.net\/hot-issues\/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B8%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%B4-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%A9\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAl Jazeera Englishreported the news with the  headline, \u201cAl-Qaeda Disowns ISIL (ISIS) Rebels in Syria.\u201d\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003E\u201cAl-Qaeda Disowns ISIL Rebels in  Syria,\u201d Al Jazeera English,  February 3, 2014, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/middleeast\/2014\/02\/al-qaeda-disowns-isil-rebels-syria-20142385858351969.html\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/middleeast\/2014\/02\/al-qaeda-disowns-isil-rebels-syria-20142385858351969.html\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E The article highlighted that ISIS \u201cconsolidated its grip\u201d on Raqqa, \u201cimposing  their strict version of Sharia law on residents.\u201d According to the report, ISIS  ordered women to \u201cwear the niqab in public,\u201d banned the sale of cigarettes and  tobacco products, and also banned music and made \u201cattendance of Friday prayers  compulsory.\u201d Also noting ISIS\u2019s in-fighting with other rebels, the article  stated, \u201c[I]nternecine fighting\u2026has undermined the uprising against President  Bashar al-Assad and dismayed Western powers pushing for peace talks.\u201d\u003Cspan class=\u0022footnote\u0022\u003E\u201cAl-Qaeda Disowns ISIL Rebels in  Syria,\u201d Al Jazeera English,  February 3, 2014, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/middleeast\/2014\/02\/al-qaeda-disowns-isil-rebels-syria-20142385858351969.html\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/news\/middleeast\/2014\/02\/al-qaeda-disowns-isil-rebels-syria-20142385858351969.html\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\n\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\n","dialogOptions":{"minWidth":850,"resizable":true,"modal":true,"title":"Arab Media Coverage"}},{"command":"doFootnotes"}]