... the current version of al-Qaeda in Iraq, just as blood-thirsty and well-beloved as the original...
, despite an order by the al-Qaeda chief to quit fighting.
Al-Nusra Front and ISIL have in recent months fought intense, bloody battles against each other, particularly in eastern Syria on the border with Iraq.
"We will follow the orders of... Ayman al-
Zawahiri... Formerly second in command of al-Qaeda, now the head cheese, occasionally described as
the real brains of the outfit.Formerly the Mister Big of Egyptian Islamic Jihad. Bumped off Abdullah Azzam with a car boom in the course of one of their little disputes. Is thought to have composed bin Laden's fatwa entitled World Islamic Front Against Jews and Crusaders. Currently residing in the North Wazoo area. That is not a horn growing from the middle of his forehead, but a prayer bump, attesting to how devout he is...
... to stop any attack from our side against ISIL, while continuing to respond whenever they attack Mohammedans and all that is sacred to them," Al-Nusra said in a statement.
"As soon as ISIL announces the end of its attacks on Mohammedans, we will spontaneously stop firing," said the jihadist group, adding it had only fought ISIL in areas "where it was on the attack".