Al-Nusrah Front is a religious, separatist group founded in 2012 by Abu Muhammed al-Julani during the Syrian Civil War.[2]  In 2011, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (at the time commonly referred to as Al-Qa’ida in Iraq (AQI), ordered Al-Julani to form an affiliate in Syria.[3]  Al-Julani is allegedly a Syrian who fought against the United States and its allies in Iraq and, at one time, was a follower of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.[4] The Al-Nusrah Front command consists of members who gained operational experience in Iraq while the jihadist foot soldiers are comprised mostly of Syrians. In addition, several thousand fighters from the Arab-Muslim world and nearly one thousand from the West have joined Al-Nusrah.[5]

Al-Nusrah has carried out a number of recorded suicide attacks against targets supportive of Al-Asad’s government.[6] Initially, the group was largely funded by AQI; however, once relations with AQI deteriorated, Al-Nusrah began to rely on Salafist-jihadi charities and private citizens.[7]  In 2013, al-Baghdadi attempted to merge the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) and Al-Nusrah Front into the Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham (ISIS).  Al-Julani immediately rejected this proposal and instead pledged allegiance directly to al-Qa’ida core.[8] At this time, there is evidence to suggest that a divide began to emerge within the ranks of Al-Nusrah.[9] In April 2014, ISIS reported they had killed Abu Muhammad al Ansari, Idlib province’s commander, and his family.[10] View full narrative