There has been a lot in the press lately about the connection between two Sunni Muslim extremist groups in the Middle East, namely the Iraq-based Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) and the Syrian-based, al-Nusra Front. The argument went that the shadowy al-Nusra were supported by ISI and other likeminded groups and was made up of local and foreign fighters. In recent days a statements from ISI leader, reportedly made on Jihadi forums, was release claiming that al-Nusra had merged with ISI to form al-Qaeda in Iraq and Syria (AQIS). The claim by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has not been independently verified and this new group is yet to claim any attack. The announcement is not spectacular and reveals what is probably the worst kept secret in the region, that the two groups are closely linked. The statement could also be hot air and one always wonders if there is a greater or a background actor at play here. To discover who this may be we should consider the ramifications of the announcement. Syrian rebels in Syria are coming under increasing pressure to distance themselves from al-Nusra. The US has the group listed as a terrorist organization and much funding the rebels require to battle Bashar al-Assad is being held back due to the al-Nusra involvement in rebel battles. Basically, the West fears a Sunni extremist takeover in Syria once Assad falls. So who could benefit from this apparent undermining of the rebels? Number one would be Assad himself and his allies, Iran and China. Could this be some sort of announcement initiated by the Syrian regime? Do they or Iran have connections to ISI? Unlikely, but let's wait for further statements from the ISI before accepting that the two groups have indeed merged into a super militant body.
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