{{Short description|Salafi jihadist organization in the Syrian civil war (2012–2017)}} {{distinguish|Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}} {{Use British English|date=February 2015}} {{Infobox war faction | name = Al-Nusra Front | native_name = جبهة النصرة لأهل الشام | native_name_lang = ar | image = {{multiple image | border = infobox | total_width = 320 | image_gap = 20 | caption_align = center | image1 = Flag of the Al-Nusra Front.svg | caption1 = Flag of Jabhat Al-Nusra (2012–2016) | image2 = Flag of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham.svg | caption2 = Flag of Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham (2016–2017) | perrow = 2 | align = center }} | caption = | active = 23 January 2012<ref name="world.time.com">{{cite news|url=https://world.time.com/2012/12/25/interview-with-a-newly-designated-syrias-jabhat-al-nusra/|title=Interview with Official of Jabhat al-Nusra, Syria's Islamist Militia Group|date=25 December 2012|access-date=29 November 2013|magazine=Time}}</ref> – 28 January 2017<ref>{{cite news|title=Syria Islamist factions, including former al Qaeda branch, join forces - statement|url=http://news.trust.org/item/20170128161652-xes7v/|access-date=1 February 2017|publisher=Thomson Reuters Foundation|date=28 January 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202124825/http://news.trust.org/item/20170128161652-xes7v/|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ideology = Sunni Islamism * Qutbism<ref name="internal struggle">{{cite web |title=An internal struggle: Al Qaeda's Syrian affiliate is grappling with its identity |url=http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/markaz/posts/2015/05/31-syria-isis-lister |publisher=Brookings Institution |date=31 May 2015 |access-date=1 June 2015}}</ref> * Wahhabism<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ghanmi |first1=Elyès |last2=Punzet |first2=Agnieszka |date=11 June 2013 |title=The involvement of Salafism/Wahhabism in the support and supply of arms to rebel groups around the world |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/etudes/join/2013/457137/EXPO-AFET_ET(2013)457137_EN.pdf |journal=European Parliament}}</ref><ref name="The Hillary Doctrine">{{cite book |last1=Hudson |first1=Valerie |title=The Hillary Doctrine |publisher=Columbia University |page=154 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j3apBgAAQBAJ&q=wahhabi+al+nusra&pg=PA154 |access-date=15 January 2016|isbn=9780231539104 |date=30 June 2015 }}</ref> * Salafi jihadism<ref>{{cite web |title=Jabhat al-Nusra |url=http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Jabhatal-Nusra.aspx |website=Australian National Security |date=28 June 2013 |access-date=23 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921063947/http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Jabhatal-Nusra.aspx |archive-date=21 September 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Jabhat al-Nusra, A Strategic Briefing |url=http://www.quilliamfoundation.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/publications/free/jabhat-al-nusra-a-strategic-briefing.pdf |publisher=Quilliam Foundation |access-date=23 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328080133/http://www.quilliamfoundation.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/publications/free/jabhat-al-nusra-a-strategic-briefing.pdf |archive-date=28 March 2015}}</ref> * Islamic fundamentalism<ref name="Al-Nusra Front">{{cite web|title=Al-Nusra Front|url=https://web.stanford.edu/group/mappingmilitants/cgi-bin/groups/view/493|year=2012|access-date=24 May 2018}}</ref> | clans = ''See al-Nusra member groups'' | leaders = Abu Mohammad al-Julani<ref>{{cite news|url=https://world.time.com/2012/07/26/time-exclusive-meet-the-islamist-militants-fighting-alongside-syrias-rebels/ |title=Time Exclusive: Meet the Islamist Militants Fighting Alongside Syria's Rebels|date=26 July 2012|access-date=13 July 2021 |magazine=Time}}</ref><br /> {{collapsible list|title = {{nobold|'''''Other leaders'''''}}|Abu Abdullah al-Shami (senior member) <br /> Ahmad Salama Mabruk{{KIA}} (senior member)<br />Abu Hajer al-Homsi{{KIA}} (top military commander)<ref name=former>{{cite web|url=http://news.trust.org/item/20160908213024-skwoe/|title=Air strike kills top commander of former Nusra group in Syria|agency=Reuters|date=9 September 2016|last1=Foundation|first1=Thomson Reuters|access-date=1 October 2016|archive-date=29 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929040232/http://news.trust.org/item/20160908213024-skwoe/|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />Abu Omar al-Turkistani{{KIA}} (top military commander)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/02/uighur-jihadist-fought-in-afghanistan-killed-in-syria.php|title=Uighur jihadist fought in Afghanistan, killed in Syria|author=Caleb Weiss|work=Long War Journal|date=14 February 2017|access-date=22 February 2017}}</ref>}} | headquarters = | area = Syria (mainly in northwestern Syria, around Idlib and Aleppo Governorates)<br />Lebanon<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2015/01/fatal-blast-lebanon-ends-lull-attacks-2015110194313121358.html|title=Al Nusra Front claims Lebanon suicide attack|date=11 January 2015|access-date=12 January 2015|publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> (2013–2017) | size = 6,000–10,000 (2012)<ref name="TWP30Nov12" /><br>7,000 (2013)<ref name="Competition among Islamists">[https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21582037-one-islamist-rebel-group-seems-have-overtaken-all-others-competition-among Competition among Islamists], ''The Economist'', 20 July 2013</ref><br>5,000–10,000 (2016)<ref name="brookings" /><ref name=JFSFC /> | partof = {{flagicon image|Flag of Jihad.svg}} Al-Qaeda (2012–2016) | predecessor = {{flag|Al-Qaeda in Iraq}} | successor = {{flagicon image|Flag of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham.svg}} Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham<br>{{flagicon image|Flag of Tanzim Hurras al-Din.svg}} Hurras al-Din (split) | allies = '''State allies''' *{{flagcountry|Turkey}} (alleged) *{{flagcountry|Qatar}} (alleged,<ref>{{cite web|title=Trump Will Regret Changing His Mind About Qatar|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/08/15/trump-will-regret-changing-his-mind-about-qatar/|author=Nawaf Obaid|work=Foreign Policy|date=15 August 2018|access-date=25 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Qatar 'maybe' supported al-Qaeda in Syria, says former PM|url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/qatar-maybe-supported-al-qaeda-syria-says-former-pm-1280907406|publisher=Middle East Eye|date=30 October 2017|access-date=25 August 2018}}</ref> denied)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-10/16/c_138474437.htm|title=Qatar denies support for Muslim Brotherhood, Nusra Front - Xinhua | English.news.cn|website=www.xinhuanet.com|access-date=18 July 2020|archive-date=20 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720222514/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-10/16/c_138474437.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> '''Non-state allies''' *{{flagicon image|Flag of Mujahideen Shura Council (Syria).svg}} Mujahideen Shura Council (2014–2015)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/2014/05/syria-new-jihadist-body-unified-shura-council-fight-isis.html#|title=New Syrian jihadist body formed to fight ISIS|date=28 May 2014|access-date=3 June 2014|publisher=Al Monitor|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606203213/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/2014/05/syria-new-jihadist-body-unified-shura-council-fight-isis.html|archive-date=6 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> *{{flagicon image|Emblem of the Jaish al-Fatah.svg}} Army of Conquest (2015–2017)<ref name=sd>{{cite web|url=http://syriadirect.org/main/30-reports/1942-rebels-launch-full-on-assault-of-idlib-city|publisher=Syria Direct|access-date=25 March 2015|title=Rebels launch full-on assault of Idlib city|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402160708/http://syriadirect.org/main/30-reports/1942-rebels-launch-full-on-assault-of-idlib-city|url-status=dead}}</ref> *{{flagdeco|Syrian opposition}} Free Syrian Army (sometimes)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/03/free_syrian_army_com.php|title=Free Syrian Army commander praises Al Nusrah Front as 'brothers' | FDD's Long War Journal|date=30 March 2013|website=www.longwarjournal.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://observers.france24.com/ar/20121213-من-هي-جبهة-النصرة-الجهادية-التي-تقاتل-مع-الجيش-السوري-الحر؟|title=من هي جبهة النصرة الجهادية التي تقاتل مع الجيش السوري الحر؟|website=مراقبون - فرانس 24|date=13 December 2012 }}</ref> * {{flagicon image|Flag of Ahrar ash-Sham.svg}} Ahrar al-Sham (until 2017) * {{flagicon image|Jaysh Al Islam white flag.svg}} Jaysh al-Islam (until 2016) * {{flagicon image|Flag of Jund al-Aqsa.svg}} Jund al-Aqsa * {{flagicon image|Flag of Caucasian Emirate.svg}} Caucasus Emirate * {{flagicon image|Flag of Turkistan Islamic Party.svg}} Turkistan Islamic Party * {{flagicon image|Infobox Ajnad al-Kavkaz flag.png}} Ajnad al-Kavkaz<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chechensinsyria.com/?p=24656|title=Abu Bakr Shishani Now Fighting Alongside Ajnad al-Kavkaz in Latakia|date=9 February 2016|access-date=31 July 2016|archive-date=5 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605111802/http://www.chechensinsyria.com/?p=24656|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Malhama Tactical * Ashida'a Mujahideen Brigade * Ansar al-Din Front<ref name=lwj4april>{{cite news|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/04/former_guantanamo_de_2.php#|title=Former Guantanamo detainee killed while leading jihadist group in Syria|date=4 April 2014|access-date=21 May 2014|work=Long War Journal}}</ref> * {{flagicon image|Flag of Ansar al-Islam.svg}} Ansar al-Islam<ref>{{cite web|title=Key Updates on Iraq's Sunni Insurgent Groups|url=http://brown-moses.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/key-updates-on-iraqs-sunni-insurgent.html|author=Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi|publisher=Brown Moses Blog|date=11 May 2014|access-date=24 May 2018}}</ref> | opponents = '''State opponents''' * {{flagicon|Syria|1980}} Ba'athist Syria * {{flagcountry|Lebanon}} * {{flagcountry|Iran}} * {{flagcountry|Russia}} * {{IRQ}} ---- '''Non-state opponents''' *{{flagicon|Syrian opposition}} Free Syrian Army (sometimes) ---- '''Syrian-affiliated groups''' * {{flagicon|Ba'athist Syria}} Shabiha * {{flagicon image|Flag of the Ba'ath Party.svg}} Ba'ath Brigades * {{flagicon image|Emblem of the Palestine Liberation Army.svg|size=25px|border=}} Palestine Liberation Army * {{flagicon image|Syrian Resistance Flag.svg}} Syrian Resistance * {{flagicon image|Emblem of Liwa Al-Quds.svg|size=25px|border=}} Liwa Al-Quds * {{flagicon image|Flag of the Arab National Guard.svg}} Arab Nationalist Guard * {{flagicon image|Civil flag of Jabal ad-Druze (1921-1936).svg}} Jaysh al-Muwahhideen ---- '''Syrian Democratic Forces''' *{{flagicon image|People's Protection Units Flag.svg|border=no}} YPG<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iswresearch.org/2015/01/syria-update-january-6-12-2015.html?m=1|title=Syria Update: January 6-12, 2015 |publisher=Institute for the Study of War|date=13 January 2015}}</ref> *{{flagicon image|YPJ Flag.svg|border=no}} YPJ * {{flagicon image|Flag of Kurdistan Workers' Party.svg}} PKK * {{flagicon image|Emblem of Jaysh al-Thuwar.svg|size=25px|border=}} Army of Revolutionaries ---- '''Shia groups''' * {{flag|Hezbollah}}<ref>{{cite web|last=Mortada|first=Radwan|title=Hezbollah fighters and the "jihadis" Mad, drugged, homicidal, and hungry|url=http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/hezbollah-fighters-and-jihadis-mad-drugged-homicidal-and-hungry|work=al-Akhbar English|date=19 May 2014|access-date=9 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707040428/http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/hezbollah-fighters-and-jihadis-mad-drugged-homicidal-and-hungry|archive-date=7 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Kata'ib Hezbollah * Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq * {{flagicon image|Liwa Abu al-Fadhal al-Abbas SSI.svg}} Al-Abbas Brigade * Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://web.stanford.edu/group/mappingmilitants/cgi-bin/groups/view/629|title=Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada | Mapping Militant Organizations|website=web.stanford.edu}}</ref> * Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alalamtv.net/404.html|title=صفحه مورد نظر یافت نشد |website=www.alalamtv.net|access-date=19 November 2019|archive-date=18 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518000445/https://www.alalamtv.net/404.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Liwa Fatemiyoun * {{flagicon image|Liwa Zainebiyoun infobox flag.png}} Liwa Zainebiyoun ---- '''Islamic State'''<ref>{{cite news|title=Jabhat al-Nusra launches war against IS in Qalamoun|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/2015/05/syira-qalamoun-jabhat-al-nusra-war-isis-kharijites.html|access-date=15 May 2015|publisher=CNN|date=15 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514122418/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/2015/05/syira-qalamoun-jabhat-al-nusra-war-isis-kharijites.html|archive-date=14 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade<ref>{{cite web |title=Jabhat al-Nusra, IS clash in Daraa |url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/2014/12/jabhat-al-nusra-islamic-state-clash-qalamoun-risks-daraa.html# |date=16 December 2014 |access-date=24 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126032041/https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/2014/12/jabhat-al-nusra-islamic-state-clash-qalamoun-risks-daraa.html|archive-date=26 January 2015}}</ref> * {{Flagicon image|Flag of Jaysh al-Jihad.svg}} Jaysh al-Jihad<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/04/28/Rebels-fight-ISIS-linked-group-near-Israeli-occupied-Golan.html|title=Rebels fight ISIS-linked group near Israeli-occupied Golan|publisher=AFP|date=28 April 2015|access-date=9 May 2015}}</ref> * Islamic Muthanna Movement | war = {{Collapsible list |bullets = yes |title = '''Syrian Civil War''' | Battle of Aleppo (2012–16) | Rojava–Islamist conflict | Siege of Nubl and Al-Zahraa | Quneitra Governorate clashes (2012–2014) | Operation al-Shabah | 2013 Latakia offensive<ref name=lwj4april /> | Inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian Civil War | Al-Otaiba ambush | 2014 Idlib offensive | Battle of Dama<ref>{{Cite web |last=serbest |date=2020-12-09 |title=When Syrian intelligence sparked discord in Suwayda - North press agency |url=https://npasyria.com/en/51014/,%20https://npasyria.com/en/51014/ |access-date=2025-11-15 |language=en-US}}</ref> | al-Nusra Front–Syria Revolutionaries Front conflict<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aranews.net/2014/11/al-qaeda-defeats-syrian-moderate-rebels-idlib/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102091431/http://aranews.net/2014/11/al-qaeda-defeats-syrian-moderate-rebels-idlib/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 November 2014|title=Al-Qaeda defeats Syrian moderate rebels in Idlib|publisher=ARA News|date=2 November 2014|access-date=12 November 2014}}</ref> | 2015 Idlib offensive (Second Battle of Idlib)<ref name=sd /> | Siege of al-Fu'ah and Kafriya | Battle of Bosra (2015)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/2015/03/syria-jabhat-nusra-bosra-tikrit-fronts-fighting-offensives.html#|title=Jabhat al-Nusra looks for battlefield breakout|work=As-Safir|date=29 March 2015|access-date=29 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331102346/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/2015/03/syria-jabhat-nusra-bosra-tikrit-fronts-fighting-offensives.html|archive-date=31 March 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> | 2015 Jisr al-Shughur offensive | Battle of Yarmouk Camp (2015) | Qalamoun offensive (May 2015) | Battle of Zabadani (2015) | 2015 Hama Offensive | Northern Aleppo offensive (2016) | Idlib Governorate clashes (2017) | Syrian Civil War spillover in Lebanon | Battle of Arsal (2014) | Qalamoun offensive (2014) | Military intervention against ISIL | American-led intervention in Syria | Russian military intervention in Syria }} | designated_as_terror_group_by = See section }} '''Jabhat Al-Nusra''',{{Efn|{{langx|ar|جبهة النصرة لأهل الشام|translit=Jabhat an-Nuṣrah li-Ahl ash-Shām|lit=Front of the Supporters of the People of the Levant}}}} also referred to as '''Al-Nusra Front''' and later known as '''Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham'''{{Efn|{{langx|ar|جبهة فتح الشام|translit=Jabhat Fatḥ ash-Shām|lit=Front for the Conquest of the Levant|links=no}}.}} was a Sunni Islamist organization that fought against Ba'athist regime forces in the Syrian Civil War. Its aim was to overthrow president Bashar Al-Assad and establish an Islamic state ruled by Sharia in Syria.<ref name="quilliam" />
Formed in 2012, in November of that year ''The Washington Post'' described Al-Nusra as "the most aggressive and successful" of the rebel forces.<ref name="TWP30Nov12" /> While secular and pro-democratic rebel groups of the Syrian Revolution such as the Free Syrian Army were focused on ending the decades-long reign of the Assad family, Al-Nusra Front also sought the unification of Islamist forces in a post-Assad Syria, anticipating a new stage of the civil war. It denounced the international assistance in support of the Syrian opposition as "imperialism"; viewing it as a long-term threat to its Islamist goals in Syria.<ref name="quilliam" />
In December 2012, the US Department of State designated it as a "foreign terrorist organization".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/266590.htm|title=Terrorist Designations of the al-Nusrah Front as an Alias for al-Qa'ida in Iraq|publisher=U.S. Department of State|access-date=8 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204084405/https://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/266590.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 February 2017}}</ref> In April 2013, Al-Nusra Front was publicly confirmed as the official Syrian affiliate of Al-Qaeda,<ref name="MEMRI25-11-13" /> after Al-Qaeda Emir Ayman Al-Zawahiri rejected the legitimacy of Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, leader of the newly-formed Islamic State of Iraq and Levant.<ref name="glob.post8-11-13" /> In March 2015, the militia joined other Syrian Islamist groups to form a joint command center called the Army of Conquest.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/02/world/middleeast/syria-russia-airstrikes-rebels-army-conquest-jaish-al-fatah.html|title=A Look at the Army of Conquest, a Prominent Rebel Alliance in Syria|last=Hubbard|first=Ben|date=1 October 2015|work=The New York Times|access-date=9 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004032953/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/02/world/middleeast/syria-russia-airstrikes-rebels-army-conquest-jaish-al-fatah.html|archive-date=4 October 2015}}</ref> In July 2016, Al-Nusra announced that it was breaking ties with Al-Qaeda and re-named itself to ''Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham'' ("Front for the Conquest of the Levant").<ref name="Rebrand">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-36916606|title=Syrian Nusra Front announces split from al-Qaeda|date=28 July 2016|work=BBC News|access-date=28 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730021539/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-36916606|archive-date=30 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=28 July 2016 |title=Al-Nusra chief in Syria announces break with al Qaeda |work=France24 |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20160728-al-nusra-chief-syria-announces-break-al-qaeda-new-name |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814114427/https://www.france24.com/en/20160728-al-nusra-chief-syria-announces-break-al-qaeda-new-name |archive-date=14 August 2022}}</ref>
The announcement caused defections of senior Al-Nusra commanders and criticism from Al-Qaeda ranks: Al-Qaeda Emir Ayman Al-Zawahiri denounced the move as an "act of disobedience".<ref name="auto2">{{Cite journal |last=Lister |first=Charles |date=February 2018 |title=How al-Qa'ida Lost Control of its Syrian Affiliate: The Inside Story |url=https://ctc.westpoint.edu/al-qaida-lost-control-syrian-affiliate-inside-story/ |journal=CTC Sentinel |volume=11 |issue=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504095122/https://ctc.westpoint.edu/al-qaida-lost-control-syrian-affiliate-inside-story/ |archive-date=4 May 2022 |via=CTC}}</ref> On 28 January 2017, following violent clashes with Ahrar Al-Sham and other rebel groups, Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham (JFS) merged with four other groups to form Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), a new Sunni Islamist militant group.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/01/al-qaeda-and-allies-announce-new-entity-in-syria.php|title=Al Qaeda and allies announce 'new entity' in Syria|last=Joscelyn|first=Thomas|date=28 January 2017|website=Long War Journal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128200911/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/01/al-qaeda-and-allies-announce-new-entity-in-syria.php|archive-date=28 January 2017|access-date=9 June 2018}}</ref> Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham denies any links to the Al-Qaeda network and said in a statement that the group is "an independent entity and not an extension of previous organizations or factions".<ref name=jaber>{{cite web|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/02/hayat-tahrir-al-sham-leader-calls-for-unity-in-syrian-insurgency.php|title=Hay'at Tahrir al Sham leader calls for 'unity' in Syrian insurgency|work=Long War Journal|first=Thomas|last=Joscelyn|date=10 February 2017|access-date=11 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216005715/http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/02/hayat-tahrir-al-sham-leader-calls-for-unity-in-syrian-insurgency.php|archive-date=16 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Mutual hostility progressively deteriorated into violent confrontations, with Al-Nusra commander Sami Al-Oraydi accusing HTS of adopting nationalist doctrines. Sami Al-Oraydi, alongside other Al-Qaeda loyalists like Abu Humam Al-Shami, Abu Julaybib and others, mobilised Al-Qaeda personnel in northwestern Syria to establish an anti-HTS front in the region, eventually forming Hurras Al-Din on 27 February 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Joscelyn |first=Thomas |date=4 March 2018 |title=Jihadists form 'Guardians of the Religion' organization in Syria |url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/03/jihadists-form-guardians-of-the-religion-organization-in-syria.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201091950/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/03/jihadists-form-guardians-of-the-religion-organization-in-syria.php |archive-date=1 February 2022 |website=Long War Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rewards for Justice - Reward Offer for Information on Senior Leaders of Hurras al-Din |url=https://2017-2021.state.gov/rewards-for-justice-reward-offer-for-information-on-senior-leaders-of-hurras-al-din/ |access-date=17 December 2022 |website=United States Department of State |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="auto2"/>
==Name== {{Jihadism sidebar}} From 2012 to 2013, Al-Nusra Front's full name was the "'''Victory Front for the People of the Levant by the Mujahideen of the Levant on the Fields of Jihad'''" ({{langx|ar| جبهة النصرة لأهل الشام من مجاهدين الشام في ساحات الجهاد|Jabhat an-Nuṣrāh li-ahli ash-Shām min Mujāhidīn ash-Shām fī Sahat al-Jihād}}).<ref name="brookings">{{cite web|url=https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/iwr_20160728_profiling_nusra.pdf|title=Profiling Jabhat al-Nusra|work=The Brookings Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World|author=Charles Lister|date=24 July 2016}}</ref>
==Ideology== Al-Nusra Front was estimated to be primarily made up of Syrian jihadists.<ref>{{cite web |title=New enemies across Syrian border |url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.612621 |date=August 2014|work=Haaretz |access-date=24 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Syrian rebel groups pulling in foreign fighters |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-25460397|year=2013|work=BBC News |access-date=24 May 2018}}</ref> Its goals were to overthrow Bashar Al-Assad's government in Syria and to create an Islamic emirate ruled by Sharia,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/07/jabhat-al-nusra-announce-islamic-emirate.html|title=Jabhat al-Nusra, IS compete for foreign fighters|date=July 2014|access-date=24 May 2018|publisher=Al-Monitor|first=Mohammed|last=al-Khatieb|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019143517/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/07/jabhat-al-nusra-announce-islamic-emirate.html|archive-date=19 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/20698 |title=Al-Nusra Front not yet dead as its emir devises "Islamic Emirate of the Levant"|publisher=al-akhbar|date=July 2014 |access-date=24 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722005041/https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/07/jabhat-al-nusra-announce-islamic-emirate.html|archive-date=22 July 2014}}</ref> with an emphasis from an early stage on focusing on the "near enemy" of the Syrian regime rather than on global jihad.<ref name="Al-Nusra Front" /> Syrian members of the group claimed that they are fighting only the Assad regime and would not attack Western states;<ref name="Inside Jabhat al Nusra" /> while the official policy of the group was to regard the United States and Israel as enemies of Islam,<ref name="bbc profile"/> and to warn against Western intervention in Syria,<ref name="Inside Jabhat al Nusra">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9716545/Inside-Jabhat-al-Nusra-the-most-extreme-wing-of-Syrias-struggle.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9716545/Inside-Jabhat-al-Nusra-the-most-extreme-wing-of-Syrias-struggle.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Inside Jabhat al Nusra - the most extreme wing of Syria's struggle |date=2 December 2012|access-date=2 December 2012|work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |first=Ruth |last=Sherlock}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Al-Nusra Front leader Julani stated that "We are only here to accomplish one mission, to fight the regime and its agents on the ground, including Hezbollah and others".<ref name=al_Jazeera_Golani /> In early 2014, Sami Al-Oraydi, a top sharia official in the group, acknowledged that it is influenced by the teachings of Al-Qaeda member Abu Musab al-Suri. The strategies derived from Abu Musab's guidelines included providing services to people, avoiding being seen as extremists, maintaining strong relationships with local communities and other fighting groups, and putting the focus on fighting the government.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/a-jihadist-blueprint-for-hearts-and-minds-is-gaining-traction-in-syria|title=A jihadist blueprint for hearts and minds is gaining traction in Syria|work=The National|date=4 March 2014|author=Hassan Hassan|access-date=5 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306030542/http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/a-jihadist-blueprint-for-hearts-and-minds-is-gaining-traction-in-syria|archive-date=6 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The tactics of Al-Nusra Front differed markedly from those of its rival jihadist group ISIL; whereas ISIL has alienated local populations by demanding their allegiance and carrying out beheadings, Al-Nusra Front cooperated with other militant groups and declined to impose the sharia where there has been opposition. Analysts have noted this could have given the Al-Nusra Front a greater long-term advantage.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/10/world/middleeast/qaeda-yemen-syria-houthis.html|title=Al Qaeda Tries a New Tactic to Keep Power: Sharing It|work=The New York Times|last1=Hubbard|first1=Ben|date=9 June 2015|access-date=10 June 2015|quote=Cooperating with others could also give Al Qaeda a long-term advantage in its competition with the extremists of the Islamic State, analysts said [...] Civilians living in Nusra Front areas, too, say the group has built local support, refraining from imposing Shariah when residents resisted.}}</ref>
In early 2015, Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri instructed Al-Nusra Front leader Julani to pursue the following five goals:<ref name=Lister />
# Better integrate his movement within the Syrian revolution and its people # Coordinate more closely with all Islamic groups on the ground # Contribute towards the establishment of a Syria-wide Sharia judicial court system # Use strategic areas of the country to build a sustainable Al-Qaeda power base # Cease any activity linked to attacking the West<ref name=Lister />
Both Al-Qaeda and Al-Nusra tried to take advantage of ISIL's rise by presenting themselves as "moderate" in comparison. While they had the same aim of establishing Sharia and an Islamic state, they intended to implement it in a more gradual manner.<ref>{{cite news|last=Joscelyn|first=Thomas|title=Al Qaeda appears 'moderate' compared to Islamic State, veteran jihadist says|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/10/al-qaeda-appears-moderate-compared-to-islamic-state-veteran-jihadist-says.php|work=Long War Journal|date=25 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Joscelyn|first=Thomas |date= 26 October 2015 |title=A rare interview with an experienced Al Qaeda commander shows how the group is using ISIS to make itself look 'moderate'|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/a-rare-interview-with-an-experienced-al-qaeda-commander-shows-how-the-group-is-using-isis-to-make-itself-look-moderate-2015-10|newspaper=Business Insider }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Joscelyn|first=Thomas|title=The Al Nusrah Front's 'inherited jihad'|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/06/inheritedjihad.php|work=Long War Journal|date=5 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Joscelyn|first=Thomas|title=Officials from Al Nusrah Front, Ahrar al Sham vow to continue fight against Islamic State|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/07/officials-from-al-nusrah-front-ahrar-al-sham-vow-to-continue-fight-against-islamic-state.php|work=Long War Journal|date=20 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=JOSCELYN |first=THOMAS |date= 9 February 2015 |title=Al Qaeda Uses ISIS to Try to Present Itself as Respectable, Even Moderate |url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/al-qaeda-uses-isis-try-present-itself-respectable-even-moderate_845194.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216054056/http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/al-qaeda-uses-isis-try-present-itself-respectable-even-moderate_845194.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 February 2015 |newspaper=the weekly Standard }}</ref> Al-Nusra criticized the way ISIL alienated people by precipitously instituting Sharia, preferring the more gradual approach favored by Al-Qaeda of preparing society through indoctrination and education before implementing the hudud (scripturally-mandated punishment) aspects of Sharia. They particularly criticised ISIL's enthusiasm for punishments such as amputation and stoning. However, Al-Qaeda agrees that hudud punishments should be implemented in the long term.<ref name="Joscelyn">{{cite news|last=Joscelyn|first=Thomas|title=US counterterrorism efforts in Syria: A winning strategy?|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/09/us-counterterrorism-efforts-in-syria-a-winning-strategy.php|work=Long War Journal|date=29 September 2015}}</ref> The main criticism of defectors from ISIL is that the group is killing and fighting other Sunni Muslims, and that they are unhappy that other Sunnis like Jabhat Al-Nusra are being attacked by ISIL.<ref>{{cite news|title=Number of ISIS defectors growing, disillusioned with killing fellow Muslims: Study|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/number-of-isis-defectors-growing-disillusioned-with-killing-fellow-muslims-study|work=The Straits Times|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=21 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925084826/http://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/number-of-isis-defectors-growing-disillusioned-with-killing-fellow-muslims-study|archive-date=25 September 2015|location=London}}</ref>
A video called ''The Heirs of Glory'' was issued by Al-Nusra in 2015, which included old audio by Osama bin Laden (such as his 1998 announcement that "So we seek to incite the Islamic Nation so it may rise to liberate its lands and perform Jihad in the path of Allah, and to establish the law of Allah, so the Word of Allah may be supreme"). The video glorified the 11 September attacks and the Islamists Sayyid Qutb and Abdullah Azzam.<ref>{{cite news|last=Joscelyn|first=Thomas|title=Al Nusrah Front celebrates 9/11 attacks in new video|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/06/al-nusrah-front-celebrates-911-attacks-in-new-video.php|work=Long War Journal|date=29 June 2015}}</ref> Its magazine, ''Al Risalah'', was first issued in July 2015. In 2015 Al-Qaeda leader Al-Zawahiri urged ISIL fighters to unite with all other jihadists against their enemies and stop the infighting.<ref>{{cite news|last=Joscelyn|first=Thomas|title=Al Qaeda chief calls for jihadist unity to 'liberate Jerusalem'|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/11/al-qaedas-chief-calls-for-unity-to-liberate-jerusalem.php|work=Long War Journal|date=2 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Joscelyn|first=Thomas|title=Zawahiri calls for jihadist unity, encourages attacks in West|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/09/zawahiri-calls-for-jihadist-unity-encourages-attacks-in-west.php|work=Long War Journal|date=13 September 2015}}</ref>
In an Amnesty International report in July 2016, the Al-Nusra Front was accused of torture, child abduction, and summary execution. In December 2014, Al-Nusra Front fighters executed a woman on accusations of adultery by shooting. They have also executed women accused of extramarital relations by stoning.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://komnews.com/syria-and-islamist-groups-guilty-of-war-crimes-ypg-cleared-un-report/|title=Syria and Islamist groups guilty of war crimes, YPG cleared: UN report|work=Kom News|date=15 March 2017|access-date=16 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317054645/https://komnews.com/syria-and-islamist-groups-guilty-of-war-crimes-ypg-cleared-un-report/|archive-date=17 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Overall, they have "applied a strict interpretation of Shari'a and imposed punishments amounting to torture or other ill-treatment for perceived infractions."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/07/syria-abductions-torture-and-summary-killings-at-the-hands-of-armed-groups/|title=Syria: Abductions, torture and summary killings at the hands of armed groups|publisher=Amnesty International|date=5 July 2016}}</ref>
===Allegations of sectarianism=== Members of the group were accused of attacking the religious beliefs of non-Sunnis in Syria, such as the Alawites.<ref name="bbc profile">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18048033|title=Profile: Syria's al-Nusra Front|work=BBC News|date=15 May 2012|access-date=31 July 2012}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' journalist C. J. Chivers cites "some analysts and diplomats" as noting that Al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant "can appear less focused on toppling" the Assad government than on "establishing a zone of influence spanning Iraq's Anbar Province and the desert eastern areas of Syria and eventually establishing an Islamic territory under their administration".<ref>{{cite news|last=Chivers|first=C. J.|title=Brutality of Syrian Rebels Posing Dilemma in West|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/05/world/middleeast/brutality-of-syrian-rebels-pose-dilemma-in-west.html?hp&_r=0|access-date=5 September 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=5 September 2013}}</ref>
On 10 June 2015, Al-Nusra fighters shot dead at least 20 Druze civilians in Qalb Loze after one of them, a supporter of the Assad regime, opposed the expropriation of his house by a Nusra commander. Al-Nusra's leadership issued an apology and claimed that the killings had been carried out against the group's guidelines. In an official statement issued a few days later, the organization expressed "deep regret" regarding the incident, acknowledging that the killings were carried out by certain members without orders from the leadership and in violation of the organization's policies. Al-Nusra Front also sent a delegation to the Druze community in the village and assured that the perpetrators of the massacre would be brought to trial in a Sharia court.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 June 2015 |title=لماذا اعتذرت جبهة النصرة عن مجزرة قلب لوزة في سوريا؟ |trans-title=Why did Al-Nusra Front apologize for the Qalb Lozeh massacre in Syria? |work=عربي21 |url=https://arabi21.com/story/838297/لماذا-اعتذرت-جبهة-النصرة-عن-مجزرة-قلب-لوزة-في-سوريا |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617022500/https://arabi21.com/story/838297/%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B0%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AA%D8%B0%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%AC%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B5%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%B2%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%82%D9%84%D8%A8-%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7 |archive-date=17 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hardan |first=Mohammed |date=16 June 2022 |title=Syrian jihadi leader courts Druze community in Idlib |work=Al-Monitor |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/06/syrian-jihadi-leader-courts-druze-community-idlib |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616163947/https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/06/syrian-jihadi-leader-courts-druze-community-idlib |archive-date=16 June 2022}}</ref>
Analysts at the American magazine ''Foreign Affairs'' asserted that Al-Jazeera was engaged in whitewashing Al-Nusra and that there was absolutely no reference to the Druze in Al-Nusra's "apology", claiming that Al-Nusra forced the Druze to renounce their religion, destroyed their shrines and now considers them Sunni. Emile Hokayem, senior fellow at the IISS, asserted that the Al-''Jazeera'' news network was actively involved in the "mainstreaming" of the Al-Nusra Front in Syria.<ref name="Foreign Affairs">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/syria/2015-10-05/druze-clues|title=Al Nusra's Rebranding and What It Means for Syria |magazine=Foreign Affairs|date=19 November 2015 |last1=Gartenstein-Ross |first1=Daveed |last2=Al-Tamimi |first2=Aymenn Jawad }}</ref><ref name="yalibnan">{{cite web|url=http://yalibnan.com/2015/03/19/al-qaeda-forces-druze-of-idlib-syria-to-destroy-their-shrines-and-convert/|title=Al Qaeda forces Druze of Idlib Syria to destroy their shrines and convert|author=yalibnan|work=yalibnan.com|date=19 March 2015 }}</ref><ref name="Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi">{{cite web|url=http://www.aymennjawad.org/2015/10/additional-notes-on-the-druze-of-jabal-al-summaq|title=Additional Notes on the Druze of Jabal al-Summaq|author=Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi|work=Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi|date=6 October 2015 }}</ref>
== Flags == {{Gallery |title=Flags of the al-Nusra Front |width=120 |height=100 |align=center |footer= |File:Flag of Al-Nusra design 2.svg |Variant flag of the al-Nusra Front, used 2012–2012 |File:Flag of the Al-Nusra Front.svg |Flag of the al-Nusra Front, most commonly used until July 2016 |File:Flag of al-Qaeda in the Levant - al-Nusra Front.svg |Flag of Tanzim Qaidat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Sham - Jabhat al-Nusra ("Organization of Jihad's Base in the Levant - Victory Front") used from April 2013 to July 2016 |File:Flag of Jabhat al-Nusra In Lebanon.svg |Flag of Jabhat al-Nusra's branch in Lebanon used from 2013 to 2014 | File:Flag of the Al-Nusra Front (Variant).svg |Variant flag of the al-Nusra Front, used 2012–16 |File:Flag of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham.svg |Flag of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, July 2016–January 2017 |File:Flag of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (Variant).svg |Variant flag of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, July 2016–January 2017 }}
==Structure== ===Leadership=== The leader of Al-Nusra was Ahmed al-Sharaa. During his time as emir, he went by the name of ''Abu Mohammad Al-Julani'', which implied that he is from the Golan Heights (''al-Jawlan'', in Arabic).<ref name="quilliam"/> Prior to the formation of Jabhat Al-Nusra, he was a senior member of Al-Qaeda in Iraq, heading operations in Nineveh Governorate.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/elusive-al-qaeda-leader-in-syria-stays-in-shadows/|title=Elusive Al-Qaeda leader in Syria stays in shadows|newspaper=The Times of Israel|access-date=13 January 2017}}</ref> On 18 December 2013, he gave his first television interview, to Tayseer Allouni, a journalist originally from Syria, for Al-Jazeera, and spoke classical Arabic with a Syrian accent.<ref name="Al Jazeera">{{cite web|title=Al-Qaeda leader in Syria speaks to Al Jazeera|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/12/al-qaeda-leader-syria-speaks-al-jazeera-20131218155917935989.html|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=19 December 2013|access-date=2 August 2014}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Name || Position || Situation |- | '''Ahmed al-Sharaa'''|| Emir || Founder and Emir of Al-Nusra Front<ref name="auto">{{cite web|title=Who's who in the Nusra Front?|url=http://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/politics/2014/12/15/whos-who-in-the-nusra-front |website=al-Araby|date=15 December 2014|access-date=2 June 2015}}</ref>
|- | '''Sami Al-Oraydi'''|| Deputy Emir || Deputy leader and senior religious official in Al-Nusra<ref name="auto"/> Left the group after the formation of Tahrir Al-Sham.<ref name="formation">{{cite web|url=https://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/the-formation-of-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-and-wider-tensions-in-the-syrian-insurgency|title=The Formation of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham and Wider Tensions in the Syrian Insurgency|date=22 February 2017|publisher=Combating Terrorism Center at West Point|access-date=23 February 2017|archive-date=11 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411215707/https://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/the-formation-of-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-and-wider-tensions-in-the-syrian-insurgency|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |'''Abu Maria Al-Qahtani''' || Emir of the Eastern area|| Held the position of general religious authority and Emir of the Eastern area until 30 July 2014<ref name="auto"/> |}
===Hierarchy=== The structure of the group varied across Syria. In Damascus, the organisation operated in an underground clandestine cell system, while in Aleppo, the group was organised along semi-conventional military lines, with units divided into brigades, regiments, and platoons.<ref name="quilliam" /> All potential recruits were required to undertake a ten-day religious training course, followed by a 15–20-day military training program.<ref name="world.time.com" />
Al-Nusra contained a hierarchy of religious bodies, with a small ''Majlis-ash-Shura'' (Consultative Council) at the top, making national decisions on behalf of the group. Religious personnel also played an important role in the regional JN leadership, with each region having a commander and a sheikh. The sheikh supervised the commander from a religious perspective and is known as ''dabet Al-shar'i'' (religious commissioner).<ref name="quilliam" />
===Foreign fighters=== A number of Americans have attempted to join the fighting in Syria, specifically with Al-Nusra.<ref name="adl">{{cite web|title=California Arrest Underscores Ongoing Concern Over Americans Joining Al Qaeda Abroad|url=http://blog.adl.org/extremism/california-arrest-nguyen-ghannoum-americans-joining-al-qaeda-abroad|work=Access ADL|publisher=Anti-Defamation League|access-date=16 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018015140/http://blog.adl.org/extremism/california-arrest-nguyen-ghannoum-americans-joining-al-qaeda-abroad|archive-date=18 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sinh Vinh Ngo Nguyen, also known as Hasan Abu Omar Ghannoum, was arrested in California on 11 October 2013, on charges of attempting to travel to join Al-Qaeda, after reportedly having fought in Syria.<ref name="adl"/> As of November 2013, there had also been five additional publicly disclosed cases of Americans fighting in Syria, three of which were linked to Al-Nusra.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|title=North Carolina Arrest Marks 6th American in 2013 Associated With Al Qaeda in Syria|url=http://blog.adl.org/international/north-carolina-arrest-marks-6th-american-in-2013-associated-with-al-qaeda-in-syria|work=Access ADL|publisher=Anti-Defamation League|access-date=13 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113225237/http://blog.adl.org/international/north-carolina-arrest-marks-6th-american-in-2013-associated-with-al-qaeda-in-syria|archive-date=13 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> In February 2015, charges of conspiracy to support terrorism were laid against six Bosnian-Americans who were alleged to have financially supported another Bosnian-American, the late Abdullah Ramo Pazara, who they alleged died fighting with Al-Nusra in 2014.<ref name=StLPostD2017-04-09/>
In September 2015 Nusra absorbed Katibat Imam al Bukhari, an Uzbek group which is a part of Al-Qaeda.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}} Child soldiers were used by Katibat Imam Al-Bukhari.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/12/uzbek-group-in-syria-trains-children-for-jihad.php |title=Uzbek group in Syria trains children for jihad |last1=Roggio |first1=Bill |last2=Weiss |first2=Caleb |date=29 December 2015 |website=Long War Journal |publisher=Foundation for Defense of Democracies }}</ref> Al-Fu'ah and Kafriya were attacked by the group in September 2015.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}} They also participated in the 2015 Jisr Al-Shughur offensive.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/04/turkistan-islamic-party-had-significant-role-recent-idlib-offensive.php |title=Turkistan Islamic Party had significant role in recent Idlib offensive |last=Weiss |first=Caleb |date=30 April 2015 |website=Long War Journal |publisher=Foundation for Defense of Democracies }}</ref>
It was estimated that al-Nusra's fighting force was about 30% foreign fighters and 70% native Syrian fighters in July 2016.<ref>[https://time.com/4428696/nusra-front-syria-terror-al-qaeda/ "Everything You Need To Know About the New Nusra Front"]{{Dead link|date=November 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}. ''Time''. 28 July 2016.</ref>
===Media=== All statements and videos by Al-Nusra Front have been released by its media outlet, Al-Manarah Al-Bayda ({{langx|ar| المنارة البيضاء}}) (The White Minaret), via the leading jihadist web-forum Shamoukh Al-Islam ({{langx|ar| شموخ الإسلام}}).<ref name="world.time.com"/>
==Relations with Al-Qaeda== In early 2015, there were reports that Qatar and other Gulf states were trying to get Al-Nusra to split away from Al-Qaeda, after which they would support Al-Nusra with money.<ref name=Reut4Mar2015/> Western observers<ref name=Yahoo9Mar2015/> and a Syrian observer<ref name=Lister/> considered such a split unlikely, and in March 2015, Al-Nusra's leadership denied a break-up or that talks with Qatar had occurred.<ref name=Yahoo9Mar2015/> Other Syrian observers considered such a split conceivable<ref name=Lister/> or imminent.<ref name=beast4May2015/>
With members of Al-Qaeda still enmeshed throughout the group's leadership, it can be considered that Al-Qaeda was not "external" to the group. After the announcement, numerous senior Al-Qaeda members still within the group were targeted by the United States in airstrikes.<ref name="businessinsider.com">{{Cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/egyptian-al-qaeda-leader-killed-by-drone-strike-in-idlib-syria-2016-10?IR=T|title=Egyptian al Qaeda leader killed by US drone strike in Idlib, Syria|newspaper=Business Insider|access-date=13 January 2017}}</ref> The group's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, in his first recorded video message, stated its new name would be Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham ("Front for the Conquest of the Levant").<ref name="Rebrand"/> During the renaming announcement in July 2016, Al-Julani thanked Al-Qaeda leaders Ayman Al-Zawahiri and Abu Khayr Al-Masri. Ahmad Salama Mabruk, an associate of Al-Zawahiri, sat alongside Al-Julani during the announcement.<ref>{{cite web |title=Analysis: Al Nusrah Front rebrands itself as Jabhat Fath Al Sham |work=The Long War Journal |url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/07/analysis-al-nusrah-front-rebrands-itself-as-jabhat-fath-al-sham.php |date=28 July 2016 |access-date=29 July 2016}}</ref>
Despite the group re-branding and announcing no external affiliations, the United States Central Command continued to consider it to be a branch of Al-Qaeda and "an organization to be concerned about".<ref name=abc>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-29/al-nusra-rebrands-in-effort-to-escape-foreign-air-strikes/7671390|title=Syrian branch of Al Qaeda rebrands in effort to escape foreign air strikes|work=ABC News|date=29 July 2016}}</ref> Al-Jazeera journalist Sharif Nashashibi noted that immediately after the rebranding, both the US and Russia called it "cosmetic" and promised that air strikes would continue" against Al-Nusra.<ref name="Nashashibi-AJ" /> Journalist Robin Wright described the rebranding as a "jihadi shell game" and "expedient fiction"—a tactic known as "marbling" by jihadi groups—and that as of December 2016 Al-Qaeda had embedded "two dozen senior personnel" in the group.<ref name="wright-12-12-16">{{cite magazine|last1=Wright|first1=Robin|title=After the Islamic State|magazine=The New Yorker|date=12 December 2016|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/12/12/after-the-islamic-state|access-date=9 December 2016}}</ref>
Writing shortly after the rebranding, Nashashibi argued that it might help generate more "regional support", which the group needed in the face of Syrian government and Russian military success.<ref name="Nashashibi-AJ" /> Wright wrote that the move was effective with many conservative Sunnis in the region, and that hundreds of them joined its ranks since the rebranding, believing the group to be "less extreme" than the rival Islamic State.<ref name="wright-12-12-16"/>
===Al-Qaeda and Khorasan group=== {{Main|Khorasan group}}
Khorasan, also known as the Khorasan Group, is an alleged group of senior Al-Qaeda members who operate in Syria.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-syria-crisis-nusra-insight-idUKKCN0HL11520140926|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160704101216/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-syria-crisis-nusra-insight-idUKKCN0HL11520140926|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 July 2016|last1=Karouny|first1=Mariam|title=Insight - U.S.-led strikes pressure al Qaeda's Syria group to join with Islamic State|work=Reuters|access-date=19 October 2014|date=26 September 2014}}</ref> The group has been reported to consist of a small number of fighters who are all on terrorist watchlists, and to co-ordinate with Al-Nusra Front. Al-Nusra Front leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa denied the existence of this alleged "Khorasan group" in an interview with Al-Jazeera on 28 May 2015.<ref>{{cite news|work=Al Jazeera|title=Nusra leader: Our mission is to defeat Syrian regime|date=28 May 2015|access-date=6 June 2015|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/05/nusra-front-golani-assad-syria-hezbollah-isil-150528044857528.html}}</ref>
==History== ===Origin=== In August 2011, upon the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War, the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq (also known as the Islamic State of Iraq), Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, and Al-Qaeda's central command authorized the Syrian Al-Qaeda member Ahmed al-Sharaa to set up an offshoot of al Qaeda in Syria, to bring down the Assad government and establish an Islamic state there. Julani and six colleagues crossed the border from Iraq into Syria, and reached out to Islamists released from Syria's Sednaya military prison in May–June 2011 who were already active in fighting against Assad's security forces. The six men who founded Jabhat Al-Nusra alongside Julani were Saleh Al-Hamawi (Syrian), Abu Maria Al-Qahtani (Iraqi), Mustafa Abd Al-Latif Al-Saleh (kunya:Abu Anas Al-Sahaba) (Jordanian/Palestinian), Iyad Tubasi (kunya: Abu Julaybib) (Jordanian/Palestinian), Abu Omar Al-Filistini (Palestinian) and Anas Hassan Khattab (Syria).<ref name="brookings" /><ref name="quilliam">{{cite news|title=Jabhat al-Nusra A Strategic Briefing |url=http://www.quilliamfoundation.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/publications/free/jabhat-al-nusra-a-strategic-briefing.pdf |publisher=Quilliam Foundation |date=8 January 2013 |access-date=22 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722191931/http://www.quilliamfoundation.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/publications/free/jabhat-al-nusra-a-strategic-briefing.pdf |archive-date=22 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="politico23June14">{{cite web|title=The Jihad Next Door |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/06/al-qaeda-iraq-syria-108214|date=23 June 2014|access-date=3 September 2018|work=Politico|first=Rania|last=Abouzeid}}</ref>
A number of meetings were held between October 2011 and January 2012 in Rif Dimashq and Homs, where the objectives of the group were determined.<ref name="quilliam"/> Julani's group formally announced itself under the name "Jabhat Al-Nusra l'Ahl as-Sham" (Support Front for the People of the Sham) on 23 January 2012.<ref name="quilliam"/><ref name="politico23June14"/>
Iraq's deputy interior minister said in early February 2012 that weapons and Islamist militants were entering Syria from Iraq.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/34267.aspx|title=Jihadists, weapons 'moving from Iraq to Syria'|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=11 February 2012|access-date=3 June 2015}}</ref> The Quilliam Foundation reported that many of Nusra's members were Syrians who were part of Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi's Islamist network fighting the 2003 American invasion in Iraq;<ref name="quilliam"/> Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari agreed to that in 2012.<ref>{{cite news|last=Karam|first=Zeina|author-link=Zeina Karam|title=Iraq: Al-Qaeda migrates to Syria|agency=Associated Press|date=6 July 2012}}</ref> The British ''The Daily Telegraph'' stated in December 2012 that many foreign Al-Nusra fighters were hardened veterans from conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.<ref name="Inside Jabhat al Nusra"/>
===Strength in 2012=== By the second half of 2012, Jabhat Al-Nusra stood out among the array of armed groups emerging in Syria as a disciplined and effective fighting force.<ref name="politico23June14"/> Nusra in October 2012 refused a call for a four-day ceasefire in Syria during Eid Al-Adha feast.<ref name="timesofisrael.com">{{Cite news|title=With wary eye, Syrian rebels welcome Islamists into their ranks|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/with-wary-eye-syrian-rebels-welcome-islamists-into-their-ranks/|work=The Times of Israel|date=25 October 2012|access-date=28 November 2012}}</ref>
In November 2012, they were considered by ''The Huffington Post'' to be the best-trained and most experienced fighters among the Syrian rebels.<ref name="huffingtonpost.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/03/syria-conflict-taftanaz_n_2068861.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105034105/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/03/syria-conflict-taftanaz_n_2068861.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 November 2012|title=Syria Conflict: Rebels, Army Battle Over Taftanaz Airbase|work=The Huffington Post|date=3 November 2012|access-date=7 May 2013}}</ref> According to spokesmen of a moderate wing of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), Nusra had in November 2012 between 6,000 and 10,000 fighters, accounting for 7–9% of the FSA's total fighters.<ref name="TWP30Nov12">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/post/al-qaeda-affiliate-playing-larger-role-in-syria-rebellion/2012/11/30/203d06f4-3b2e-11e2-9258-ac7c78d5c680_blog.html|title=Al-Qaeda affiliate playing larger role in Syria rebellion|last=Ignatius|first=David|date=30 November 2012|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=28 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180609075211/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/post/al-qaeda-affiliate-playing-larger-role-in-syria-rebellion/2012/11/30/203d06f4-3b2e-11e2-9258-ac7c78d5c680_blog.html|archive-date=9 June 2018|author-link=David Ignatius}}</ref> Commentator David Ignatius for ''The Washington Post'' described Nusra then as the most aggressive and successful arm of the FSA.<ref name=TWP30Nov12/> The United States Department of State stated likewise: "From the reports we get from the doctors, most of the injured and dead FSA are Jabhat Al-Nusra, due to their courage and [the fact they are] always at the front line".<ref name=TWP30Nov12/>
On 10 December 2012, the U.S. designated Nusra a foreign terrorist organization and an alias of Al-Qaeda in Iraq. That decision made it illegal for Americans to deal financially with Nusra. Days earlier, the American ambassador to Syria, R. Ford, had said: "Extremist groups like Jabhat Al-Nusra are a problem, an obstacle to finding the political solution that Syria's going to need".<ref name="NYT10-12-12"/>
===Relations with other Syrian rebels in 2012=== thumb|300px|Al-Nusra Front fighters during the Syrian Civil War.
In August 2012, there were signs of Nusra cooperating with other rebels. The group took part in military operations with the Free Syrian Army (FSA).<ref>{{cite web|author=Bill Roggio|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/08/al_nusrah_front_conducts_joint.php|title=Al Nusrah Front conducts joint operation with Free Syrian Army|publisher=Longwarjournal.org|date=4 August 2012|access-date=3 June 2015}}</ref> Abu Haidar, a Syrian FSA coordinator in Aleppo's Saif Al-Dawla district said that Al-Nusra Front "have experienced fighters who are like the revolution's elite commando troops."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Aug-18/185017-syria-revolt-attracts-motley-foreign-jihadi-corps.ashx|title=Syria revolt attracts motley foreign jihadi corps|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=18 August 2012|access-date=3 June 2015}}</ref>
In October–December 2012 Nusra received words of praise and appreciation for their efforts in the "revolution" against Assad from non-specified 'rebels',<ref name="timesofisrael.com"/> an FSA spokesman in the Aleppo region,<ref>{{cite news|title=Islamist groups gaining prominence in Syria fight|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2012/12/13/syria-bombing-assad/1766029/|work=USA Today|date=14 December 2012|access-date=14 December 2012}}</ref> a group of 29 civilian and military groups,<ref>{{cite news|title=Syrian rebels defy US and pledge allegiance to jihadi group|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9735988/Syrian-rebels-defy-US-and-pledge-allegiance-to-jihadi-group.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9735988/Syrian-rebels-defy-US-and-pledge-allegiance-to-jihadi-group.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Telegraph|date=10 December 2012|access-date=14 December 2012|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Syrian protesters slam U.S. blacklisting of jihadist group|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Dec-14/198527-syrian-protesters-slam-us-blacklisting-of-jihadist-group.ashx|agency=Agence France-Presse|work=Daily Star|date=14 December 2012|access-date=26 August 2015}}</ref> and the leader of the Syrian National Coalition.<ref>{{cite news|title=For newly recognized Syrian rebel coalition, a first dispute with US|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Foreign-Policy/2012/1212/For-newly-recognized-Syrian-rebel-coalition-a-first-dispute-with-US-video|work=The Christian Science Monitor|date=12 December 2012|access-date=26 August 2015}}</ref> At the same time, two anonymous FSA leaders,<ref name="Inside Jabhat al Nusra"/><ref name="timesofisrael.com"/> and a secular rebel in north Syria,<ref name="Inside Jabhat al Nusra"/> expressed disapproval of the Islamist 'religious prison' Nusra might be wanting to turn Syria into.
===Attacks by al-Nusra (2012–2013)=== The 6 January 2012 Al-Midan bombing was claimed by Al-Nusra, in a video seen by AFP on 29 February 2012.<ref name=NOW29Feb>[https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/archive/islamist_group_post_video_claiming_syria_attacks 'Islamist group post video claiming Syria attacks'.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019130150/https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/archive/islamist_group_post_video_claiming_syria_attacks |date=19 October 2017 }} NOW., 29 February 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2015.</ref> It was allegedly carried out by Abu Al-Baraa Al-Shami. Footage of the destruction caused by the blast was released on a jihadist forum.<ref name="alarabiya1">{{cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/02/29/197781.html|title=Unknown Islamist group claims suicide attacks in Syria|publisher=Al Arabiya|date=29 February 2012|access-date=25 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330180650/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/02/29/197781.html|archive-date=30 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> An Al-Nusra-affiliated group announced the formation of the "Free Ones of the Levant Battalions", in a YouTube video statement that was released on 23 January 2012. In the statement, the group claimed that it attacked the headquarters of security in Idlib province.<ref name="lwj26feb">{{cite web|author=Bill Roggio|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/02/al_nusrah_front_clai.php|title=Al Nusrah Front claims suicide attack in Syria|work=The Long War Journal|date=26 February 2012|access-date=25 March 2012}}</ref> "To all the free people of Syria, we announce the formation of the Free Ones of the Levant Battalions," the statement said, according to a translation obtained by The Long War Journal. "We promise Allah, and then we promise you, that we will be a firm shield and a striking hand to repel the attacks of this criminal Al Assad army with all the might we can muster. We promise to protect the lives of civilians and their possessions from the security and Shabiha militias. We are a people who will either gain victory or die."<ref name="lwj26feb"/>
The March 2012 Damascus bombings were claimed by Al-Nusra.<ref name="alarabiya">{{cite news|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/03/21/202177.html|title=Islamist group claims Syria bombs 'to avenge Sunnis'|date=21 March 2012|access-date=23 March 2012|publisher=Al Arabiya|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323034700/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/03/21/202177.html|archive-date=23 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The 10 May 2012 Damascus bombings were allegedly claimed by Al-Nusra Front in an Internet video;<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/news/update/2012-05-12/jihadist-group-claim-responsibility-for-deadly-damascus-attack/|title=Jihadist group claim responsibility for Damascus blasts|date=12 May 2012|access-date=12 May 2012|publisher=ITV News}}</ref> however, on 15 May 2012, someone claiming to be a spokesman for the group denied that the organisation was responsible for the attack, saying that it would only release information through jihadist forums.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Agence France-Presse |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/718555/jihadist-group-denies-claiming-damascus-bombings |title=Jihadist group denies claiming Damascus bombings |newspaper=Dawn |date=15 May 2012 |access-date=7 May 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719030341/http://dawn.com/2012/05/15/jihadist-group-denies-claiming-damascus-bombings/ |archive-date=19 July 2012 }}</ref>
On 29 May 2012, a mass execution was discovered near the eastern city of Deir ez-Zor. The unidentified corpses of 13 men had been discovered shot to death execution-style.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/31/world/middleeast/another-mass-execution-is-discovered-in-syria.html?_r=1&smid=tw-nytimes&seid=auto |title=U.S. Envoy Sees Grim Outcome for Syria|date=30 May 2012|access-date=11 June 2013|work=The New York Times |first=Rick|last=Gladstone}}</ref> On 5 June 2012, Al-Nusra Front claimed responsibility for the killings, stating that they had captured and interrogated the soldiers in Deir ez-Zor and "justly" punished them with death, after they confessed to committing crimes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-militant-claim-idUSBRE8540LB20120605|title=Militant group claims killing of 13 in Syria |work=Reuters |date=5 June 2012|access-date=11 June 2012}}</ref>
On 17 June 2012, Walid Ahmad Al-Ayesh, described by Syrian authorities as the "right hand" of Al-Nusra Front, was killed when Syrian authorities discovered his hiding place. He was reportedly responsible for the making of car bombs that were used to attack Damascus in the previous months.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2012/06/17/425873.htm |title=Terrorist Al-Ayesh, Who Supervised Rigging Car Bombs Detonated in Damascus, Killed |access-date=24 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031025850/http://sana.sy/eng/337/2012/06/17/425873.htm |archive-date=31 October 2012 }}</ref> The Syrian authorities reported the killing of another prominent member of the group, Wael Mohammad Al-Majdalawi, killed on 12 August 2012 in an operation conducted in Damascus.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://208.43.232.81/eng/337/2012/08/12/435965.htm | archive-url=https://archive.today/20121129145908/http://208.43.232.81/eng/337/2012/08/12/435965.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=2012-11-29 |title = Authorities Clash with Terrorists in Aleppo, Kill Prominent Member of…}}</ref>
On 27 June 2012, a group of Syrian rebels attacked a pro-government TV station in the town of Drousha, just south of the capital Damascus. The station's studios were destroyed with explosives. Seven people were killed in the attack on Al-Ikhbariya TV, including four guards and three journalists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mg.co.za/article/2012-06-27-seven-killed-in-attack-on-syrian-tv-station/|title=Seven killed in attack on Syrian TV station|work=Mail & Guardian|date=27 June 2012|access-date=7 May 2013}}</ref> Al-Nusra claimed responsibility for the attack and published photos of 11 station employees they kidnapped following the raid.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/monitor-group-says-jihadists-claim-syria-attacks |title=Jihadists claim Syria attacks |agency=Associated Press |date=4 July 2012 |access-date=15 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131108073709/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/monitor-group-says-jihadists-claim-syria-attacks |archive-date=8 November 2013 }}</ref>
The murder in July 2012 of journalist Mohammed Al-Saeed, a well-known government TV news presenter, was claimed by Nusra in a video released on 3 or 4 August, according to Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.<ref name="dc4mf.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.dc4mf.org/en/content/syrian-tv-presenter-executed|title=Syrian TV presenter executed - Doha Freedom Centre|publisher=dc4mf.org|date=5 August 2012 |access-date=27 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.com/topic/syria/syrian-tv-presenter-mohammad-al-saeed-has-been-executed-islamist-armed-group-al-nusra|title=Syrian TV presenter Mohammad al Saeed has been executed by Islamist armed group Al-Nusra, says rights group|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=4 August 2012|access-date=7 May 2013|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073108/http://blogs.aljazeera.com/topic/syria/syrian-tv-presenter-mohammad-al-saeed-has-been-executed-islamist-armed-group-al-nusra|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[File:Saadallah al-Jabiri square, Aleppo, after the explosion of October 2012.jpg|thumb|250px|The scene at Saadallah Al-Jabiri Square after the attacks on 3 October 2012]] The 3 October 2012 Aleppo bombings were claimed by Al-Nusra.<ref>{{cite news|title=Militant group Al-Nusra claim suicide bombings in Aleppo|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-aleppo-idUSBRE8930BE20121004|access-date=8 October 2012|work=Reuters|date=4 October 2012}}</ref> Three suicide car bombs exploded at the eastern corner of the central Saadallah Al-Jabiri Square killing 48 people.<ref>{{cite news|title=Militant group Al-Nusra claim suicide bombings in Aleppo|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-syria-crisis-aleppo-idUKBRE8930BA20121004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203065515/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-syria-crisis-aleppo-idUKBRE8930BA20121004|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 February 2016|publisher=Reuters|date=4 October 2012|access-date=3 June 2015}}</ref> More than 122 people were reported to be heavily injured.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.el-balad.com/280055|title=Sada el-Balad|publisher=El-balad.com|date=3 October 2012|access-date=7 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129071041/http://www.el-balad.com/280055|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> The bombs targeted the Officers' club and the nearby buildings of the Touristic Hotel and the historic "Jouha Café". The hotel received major damage while the café was entirely destroyed. A small building within the Officers' club was ruined as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-03/dozens-killed-in-aleppo-bomb-blasts/4294016|title=ABC News:Dozens killed in Aleppo bomb blasts|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=3 October 2012|access-date=7 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author1=Albert Aji |author2=Zeina Karam |url=https://news.yahoo.com/syrian-official-27-killed-aleppo-bombings-084619129.html |title=Syrian official: 27 killed in Aleppo bombings |agency=Associated Press |date=3 October 2012|access-date=5 January 2014|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20121010001629/https://news.yahoo.com/syrian-official-27-killed-aleppo-bombings-084619129.html|archive-date=2012-10-10}}</ref>
Al-Nusra Front also claimed responsibility for attacking numerous Syrian military bases, including: * Aleppo district: an air defence base, on: 12 October 2012 * Aleppo city: the Hanano barracks * Raqqah: the Suluq barracks In the air defence base assault they reportedly destroyed buildings and sabotaged radar and rockets after over-running the base in co-operation with Al-Fajr Islamic Movement and a group of Chechen fighters. During the storming of the Hanano barracks 11 soldiers were killed and they held the complex for six hours before retreating. They also claimed killing 32 soldiers during the raid on the Raqqah base.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-aleppo-idUSBRE89J04720121020|title=Militant group says was behind Aleppo air defense base assault|work=Reuters|date=20 October 2012|access-date=7 May 2013}}</ref>
In October 2012, they joined other rebels in an attack on the Wadi Deif base around Maraat al Numan, in a prolonged fighting that turned into a siege of the base.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://afr.com/p/world/item_edddjBd2A3pWzYCdiZ42IP|title=Syria, most rebels agree to four-day truce|publisher=Afr.com|date=25 October 2012|access-date=7 May 2013|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20131016151659/http://afr.com/p/world/item_edddjBd2A3pWzYCdiZ42IP|archive-date=2013-10-16}}</ref> They also led an attack on the Taftanaz Air Base in November 2012, an important and strategic base for the Syrian army, containing up to 48 helicopters.<ref name="huffingtonpost.com"/>
The group seized three army checkpoints around Saraqeb at the end of October 2012, forcing the Syrian Army to withdraw from the area the next day. In the battle, 28 Syrian soldiers were killed as well as five Nusra fighters. Some of the captured soldiers were summarily executed after being called "Assad dogs". The video of these executions was widely condemned, with the United Nations referring to them as probable war crimes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jordantimes.com/syrian-rebels-kill-28-soldiers-as-fighting-continues |title=Syrian rebels kill 28 soldiers as fighting continues |work=The Jordan Times |date=1 November 2012 |access-date=7 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128145610/http://jordantimes.com/syrian-rebels-kill-28-soldiers-as-fighting-continues |archive-date=28 November 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Matthew Weaver|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2012/nov/02/syria-conflict-rebel-war-crime-video-live#block-5093b87d95cb1506d244473d|title=Syria conflict: rebel 'war crime' caught on video|work=The Guardian|date=2 November 2012|access-date=7 May 2013|location=London}}</ref>
Al-Nusra Front carried out two suicide attacks in early November 2012. One occurred in a rural development center in Sahl Al-Ghab in Hama province, where a car bomb killed two people; while the other occurred in the Mezzeh neighbourhood of Damascus, where a suicide bomber killed 11 people.<ref>{{cite news |title=At least 50 pro-Assad forces killed in Syria suicide bombing, activists say|url=https://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/at-least-50-pro-assad-forces-killed-in-syria-suicide-bombing-activists-say-1.475381|newspaper=Haaretz|date=5 November 2012|access-date=5 November 2012}}</ref> The SOHR claimed a total of 50 soldiers were killed in the Sahl Al-Ghab attack.<ref>{{cite news |last=Karouny |first=Mariam|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-idUSBRE88J0X720121105 |title=Suicide bomber kills 50 Syrian security men: opposition|work=Reuters|date=5 November 2012|access-date=7 May 2013}}</ref>
Al-Jazeera reported on 23 December 2012 that Al-Nusra Front had declared a "no-fly-zone" over Aleppo, using 23 mm and 57 mm anti-aircraft guns to down planes. This would include commercial flights which Al-Nusra believed transported military equipment and troops. In a video sent to Al Jazeera, they warned civilians against boarding commercial flights.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/12/201212221532021654.html|title=Syria 'secures chemical weapons stockpile'|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=23 December 2012|access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref>
In February 2013, Al Nusra fighters were involved in fighting in Safira with government reinforcements, preventing these forces from reaching their destination of the city of Aleppo. A monitoring group claims this resulted in more than two hundred casualties over a period of two weeks.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4346520,00.html|title=Syrian rebels push offensive for major airport|date=18 February 2013|access-date=11 June 2013|agency=Ynet}}</ref>
Though it was initially reported that Syrian Catholic priest François Murad was beheaded by Nusra at a church in Gassanieh in June 2013, he was actually shot dead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/priest-beheaded-video-syrian-jihadists-bears-no-relation-death-father-francois-murad-correction|title=Priest Beheaded on Video By Syrian Jihadists Bears 'No Relation' To Death of Father François Murad [Correction]|date=2 July 2013|access-date=21 January 2014|work=International Business Times}}</ref>
As of June 2013, Al-Nusra Front had claimed responsibility for 57 of the 70 suicide attacks in Syria during the conflict.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/06/suicide_bombers_kill_14_in_dam.php|title=Suicide bombers kill 14 in Damascus|access-date=3 June 2015|date=11 June 2013}}</ref>
In December 2013, Al-Nusra abducted 13 nuns from a Christian monastery in Maaloula. They were held in the town of Yabroud until 9 March 2014, The nuns reported they had not been harassed and could keep religious symbols.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/10/world/middleeast/nuns-released-by-syrians-after-three-month-ordeal.html|work=The New York Times|first1=Anne|last1=Barnard|author-link=Anne Barnard |first2=Hwaida|last2=Saad|author2-link=Hwaida Saad |title=Nuns Released by Syrians After Three-Month Ordeal|date=9 March 2014}}</ref>
===Dispute with ISIL (2013)=== By January 2013, Nusra was a formidable force alleged to have strong popular support in Syria,<ref name="politico23June14"/> and it continued to grow in strength during the following months.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/08/free-syrian-army-rebels-defect-islamist-group |title=Free Syrian Army rebels defect to Islamist group Jabhat al-Nusra |date=8 May 2013 |work=The Guardian|location=London}}</ref> In January 2013, the Quilliam counter-extremism thinktank estimated its membership at 5,000 fighters<ref>[https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/al-nusra-front-syrias-top-islamist-militia Al Nusra Front: Syria's Top Islamist Militia], Wilson Centre, 9 January 2017</ref> with 2,000 trainees.<ref>Tracey Shelton [https://theworld.org/stories/2016/07/31/syria-one-one-leader-jabhat-al-nusra Syria: One on one with the leader of Jabhat al-Nusra] GlobalPost 4 March 2013</ref> In May 2013, analysts Ken Sofer and Juliana Shafroth estimated 6,000 foreign and domestic fighters.<ref name="Center for American Progress 2013">{{cite web | title=The Structure and Organization of the Syrian Opposition | website=Center for American Progress | date=14 May 2013 | url=https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-structure-and-organization-of-the-syrian-opposition/ | access-date=5 January 2022}}</ref> By July, ''The Economist'' estimated its strength at 7,000 fighters.<ref name="Competition among Islamists">[https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21582037-one-islamist-rebel-group-seems-have-overtaken-all-others-competition-among Competition among Islamists], ''The Economist'', 20 July 2013</ref> Other size estimates, however, were more conservative; a report in the Turkish daily ''Hurriyet'' in March 2013 said that the group had increased its membership from around 300–400 jihadists to 1,000 as Syrian fighters in Iraq have returned to their country in the wake of the US designation of Al-Nusra as a terrorist organisation.<ref>Ariel Ben Solomon, [https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Al-Qaida-linked-group-doubles-size-in-Syria-308018 AL-QAIDA LINKED GROUP DOUBLES SIZE IN SYRIA], ''Jerusalem Post'', 28 March 2013</ref>
On 8 April 2013, the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI), Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, released a recorded audio message on the Internet, in which he announced that Jabhat Al-Nusra was part of his network,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130409/qaeda-iraq-confirms-syrias-nusra-part-network|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513193707/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/130409/qaeda-iraq-confirms-syrias-nusra-part-network|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 May 2013|title=Qaeda in Iraq confirms Syria's Nusra is part of network|date=9 April 2013|access-date=9 April 2013|agency=Agence France-Presse}}</ref> and that he was merging Jabhat Al-Nusra with ISI into one group, "Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham" (ISIL), under his command.<ref name="politico23June14"/><ref name="memri">{{cite web|url=http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/7119.htm |title=ISI Confirms That Jabhat Al-Nusra Is Its Extension in Syria, Declares 'Islamic State of Iraq And Al-Sham' As New Name of Merged Group |publisher=MEMRI |date=8 April 2013 |access-date=10 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006085808/http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/7119.htm |archive-date=6 October 2014}}</ref> Al-Baghdadi also claimed that Ahmed al-Sharaa had been dispatched by ISI to Syria to meet with pre-existing cells in the country and that ISI had provided Jabhat Al-Nusra with the plans and strategy needed for the Syrian Civil War, and had been funding their activities.<ref name="memri" />
The next day Al-Julani rejected the proposed merger and affirmed the group's allegiance to Al-Qaeda and its leader, Ayman Al-Zawahiri.<ref name="politico23June14" /> Al-Julani was quoted as saying, "We inform you that neither the Al-Nusra command nor its consultative council, nor its general manager were aware of this announcement. It reached them via the media and if the speech is authentic, we were not consulted."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/78961-al-nusra-commits-to-al-qaida-deny-iraq-branch-merger/|title=Al-Nusra Commits to al-Qaeda, Deny Iraq Branch 'Merger'|date=10 April 2013|access-date=18 May 2013|agency=Agence France-Presse}}</ref> Nusra then split, with some members, particularly foreign fighters, following Baghdadi's edict and joining ISIL, while others stayed loyal to Julani or left to join other Islamist brigades.<ref name="politico23June14"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10067318/Syria-Jabhat-al-Nusra-split-after-leaders-pledge-of-support-for-al-Qaeda.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10067318/Syria-Jabhat-al-Nusra-split-after-leaders-pledge-of-support-for-al-Qaeda.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Syria: Jabhat al-Nusra split after leader's pledge of support for al-Qaeda|work=The Telegraph|date=19 May 2013|access-date=21 May 2013|location=London|first=Richard|last=Spencer}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name=aljazeera150613>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/06/2013615172217827810.html|title=Iraqi al-Qaeda chief rejects Zawahiri orders|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=15 June 2013|access-date=15 June 2013}}</ref>
In May 2013, Reuters reported that Al-Baghdadi had travelled from Iraq to Syria's Aleppo Governorate province and begun recruiting members of Al-Nusra.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-nusra-idUSBRE94G0FY20130517|title=Insight: Syria's Nusra Front eclipsed by Iraq-based al Qaeda|work=Reuters|date=17 May 2013|access-date=18 May 2013}}</ref> In June 2013, Al Jazeera reported that it had obtained a letter written by Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri, addressed to both Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi and Ahmed Al-Sharaa, in which he ruled against the merger of the two organisations and appointed an emissary to oversee relations between them and put an end to tensions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/06/2013699425657882.html|title=Qaeda chief annuls Syrian-Iraqi jihad merger|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=9 June 2013|access-date=10 June 2013}}</ref> Later in the month, an audio message from Al-Baghdadi was released in which he rejected Al-Zawahiri's ruling and declared that the merger of the two organisations into the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant was going ahead. This sequence of events caused much confusion and division amongst members of Al-Nusra.<ref name=aljazeera150613/>
In November 2013, Al-Zawahiri ordered the disbandment of ISIL and said Al-Nusra should be considered the (only) Al-Qaeda branch in Syria,<ref name="glob.post8-11-13">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/131108/zawahiri-disbands-main-qaeda-faction-syria-0|title=Zawahiri disbands main Qaeda faction in Syria|date=8 November 2013|publisher=Agence France-Presse|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109005944/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/131108/zawahiri-disbands-main-qaeda-faction-syria-0|archive-date=9 November 2013}}</ref> and bestowed the title "Tanzim Qa'edat Al-Jihad fi Bilad Al-Sham" ("the Qae'dat Al-Jihad organization in the Levant") on them, officially integrating Nusra into Al-Qaeda's global network.<ref name="MEMRI25-11-13">{{cite news|url=http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/207/0/7589.htm|title=Al-Qaeda Upgrades Its Presence in Syria|last=R.|first=Green|date=25 November 2013|access-date=24 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201035355/https://www.memri.org/reports/al-qaeda-upgrades-its-presence-syria|archive-date=1 February 2017|agency=Middle East Media Research Institute}}</ref>
===Open fighting between al-Nusra and ISIL (2013–2015)=== Some units of Al-Nusra began taking part in clashes against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in late 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-rebels-factbox-idUSBREA080SW20140109|title=Factbox: Syria's rebel groups|work=Reuters|date=9 January 2014|access-date=9 January 2014}}</ref> In September of that year, as part of their takeover of the city of Raqqa from rival rebel groups, ISIL assassinated the Al-Nusra Front-appointed governor of Raqqa, Mohammed Saeed Al-Abdullah (also known as Abu Sa'ad Al-Hadrami), who had opposed the merger with ISIS and had stayed loyal to Al-Julani.<ref name="New America">{{cite web|url=https://www.newamerica.org/future-security/reports/how-raqqa-became-capital-isis/revolutionary-rule-in-raqqa-march-2013-november-2013/|work=New America|title=Revolutionary Rule in Raqqa (March 2013-November 2013)|access-date=2025-11-17}}</ref>
In February 2014, after efforts to end the dispute between ISIL and Nusra had failed, Al-Qaeda formally dissociated itself from its onetime affiliate ISIL, leaving Jabhat Al-Nusra the sole representative of Al-Qaeda in Syria.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/al-qaeda-disavows-any-ties-with-radical-islamist-isis-group-in-syria-iraq/2014/02/03/2c9afc3a-8cef-11e3-98ab-fe5228217bd1_story.html|title=Al-Qaeda disavows any ties with radical Islamist ISIS group in Syria, Iraq|newspaper=The Washington Post|author=Liz Sly|date=3 February 2014| access-date=27 August 2015|author-link=Liz Sly}}</ref> In the same month, Al-Julani threatened to go to war with ISIL over their suspected role in the killing of senior Ahrar Al-Sham commander Abu Khaled Al-Souri. Al-Julani gave ISIL five days to submit evidence that they were innocent of the attack to three imprisoned Jihadist clerics, Abu Muhammad Al-Maqdisi, Abu Qatada Al-Falastini, and Suleiman Al-Alwan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/syria-al-nusra-front-declares-war-isis |title=Syria: al-Nusra Front declares war on ISIS |publisher=Al Akhbar English |date=26 February 2014 |access-date=18 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128055313/http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/syria-al-nusra-front-declares-war-isis |archive-date=28 January 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 16 April 2014, ISIL killed Al-Nusra's Idlib chief Abu Mohammad Al-Ansari together with his family, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/al-nusra-chief-killed-rivals-syria-171410189.html|title=Al-Nusra chief killed by rivals in Syria|date=16 April 2014|access-date=3 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724081751/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/al-nusra-chief-killed-rivals-syria-171410189.html|archive-date=24 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> In May 2014, open fighting broke out between ISIL and Al-Nusra in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, leaving hundreds dead on both sides.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-rebels-idUSKBN0EL10R20140610?irpc=932|title=Hundreds killed as ISIL insurgents gain ground in east Syria|date=10 June 2014|access-date=12 July 2014|work=Reuters}}</ref>
By July 2014, Al-Nusra had largely been expelled from Deir ez-Zor Governorate.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-syria-crisis-islamicstate-idUKKBN0F80SS20140703|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203065515/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-syria-crisis-islamicstate-idUKKBN0F80SS20140703|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 February 2016|title=Al Qaeda leaves east Syria strongholds to Islamic State -monitor|access-date=24 October 2014|newspaper=Reuters|date=3 July 2014}}</ref> Also in July, an audio recording attributed to Al-Julani appeared online, in which he said that Al-Nusra planned to establish an Islamic emirate in the areas of Syria where they had a presence. A statement issued on 12 July 2014 by Al-Nusra's media channel affirmed the authenticity of the recording, but stated that they had not yet declared the establishment of an emirate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenational.ae/world/middle-east/al-qaedas-rise-in-southern-syrian-pushes-moderate-rebels-to-sideline|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20140516093913/http://www.thenational.ae/world/middle-east/al-qaedas-rise-in-southern-syrian-pushes-moderate-rebels-to-sideline|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-05-16|title=Al Qaeda's rise in southern Syrian pushes moderate rebels to sideline|access-date=24 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/20797|title=Will the 'Emirate of the Levant' be announced on Eid al-Fitr?|access-date=24 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113062616/http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/20797|archive-date=13 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/07/jabhat-al-nusra-announce-islamic-emirate.html|title=Jabhat al-Nusra, IS compete for foreign fighters|publisher=Al-Monitor|access-date=24 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019143517/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/07/jabhat-al-nusra-announce-islamic-emirate.html|archive-date=19 October 2017|url-status=dead|date=18 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.etilaf.org/all-news/news/rebels-call-on-al-nusra-front-to-rethink-establishing-its-emirate.html|title=Rebels Call on Al Nusra Front to Rethink Establishing its "Emirat|work=Syrian National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces|access-date=24 October 2014|archive-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019102215/http://en.etilaf.org/all-news/news/rebels-call-on-al-nusra-front-to-rethink-establishing-its-emirate.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In June 2015, Al-Julani stated in regard to ISIL: "There is no solution between us and them in the meantime, or in the foreseeable future [...] We hope they repent to God and return to their senses ... if not, then there is nothing but fighting between us."<ref name=al_Jazeera_Golani>{{cite web |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/06/nusra-leader-conflict-isil-syria-150604021024858.html |title=Nusra leader: No end to conflict with ISIL in Syria |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=4 June 2015 |access-date=5 June 2015 }}</ref>
===Attacks by al-Nusra (2014–2015)=== On 28 August 2014, militants from the group kidnapped 45 UN peacekeepers from Fiji from Golan Heights in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force Zone.<ref>{{cite news|title=UN official defends Indian general in Syrian peacekeeping controversy|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/world/un-official-defends-indian-general-in-syrian-peacekeeping-controversy_1465066.html|access-date=13 September 2014|work=Zee News|agency=IANS|date=4 September 2014}}</ref> The group demanded that it be removed from the UN's list of terrorist organisations in exchange for the lives of the peacekeepers. In addition to UN personnel, the group routinely captured UN vehicles to use as car bombs.<ref>Kais, Roi. [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4567891,00.html "Qaeda-rebels: UN Peacekeepers to be judged according to God."] ''Ynetnews''. 5 September 2014. 5 September 2014.</ref> At the same time, two groups of UN peacekeepers from Philippines were trapped under fire in nearby Rwihinah.<ref>{{cite news|title=UN soldiers seized by rebels in Golan Heights|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/08/un-personnel-seized-israel-occupied-golan-2014828153141458872.html|access-date=13 September 2014|publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> On 31 August, one group of 32 Filipino soldiers was rescued and the other group of 40 soldiers escaped.<ref>{{cite news|title=UN soldiers escape siege by Syria rebels|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/08/syria-rebels-reinforce-siege-un-soldiers-201483101446664760.html|access-date=13 September 2014|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=31 August 2014}}</ref> The rescue operation was carried out by Irish peacekeepers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Irish troops evacuate Filipino peacekeepers in Syria|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/irish-troops-evacuate-filipino-peacekeepers-in-syria-1.1913151|access-date=13 September 2014|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=30 August 2014}}</ref> Colonel Ezra Enriquez of the Philippines, who oversaw the operations, resigned over disagreements with Indian Lieutenant General Iqbal Singh Singha. Singha had allegedly ordered the Filipinos peacekeepers to surrender arms to ensure the safe release of the Fijian soldiers.<ref>{{cite news|title=UN official defends Indian general in Syrian peacekeeping controversy|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/world/un-official-defends-indian-general-in-syrian-peacekeeping-controversy_1465066.html|access-date=13 September 2014|date=4 September 2014}}</ref> On 8 September, Rodrigo Duterte, the mayor of Davao City, called for Singha's death after he allegedly called the Filipino soldiers cowards.<ref>{{cite news|title=Duterte: Shoot Undof chief in the head|url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/110774/duterte-shoot-undof-chief-in-the-head|access-date=13 September 2014|newspaper=Inquirer}}</ref> On 11 September, the kidnapped Fijian soldiers were released.<ref>{{cite news|title=Syria conflict: Rebels release Fijian UN peacekeepers|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29161884|access-date=13 September 2014|work=BBC News}}</ref> thumb|250px|Military situation in December 2015 In late October 2014, Al-Nusra began attacking some FSA and moderate Islamist groups that it was formerly allied with, reportedly in a bid to eventually establish its own Islamic state in the cities it controlled in Idlib Governorate and other neighbouring Governorates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-nusra-front-20141128-story.html#page=1|title=Islamic State, rival Al Nusra Front each strengthen grip on Syria|date=28 November 2014|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=6 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/us-backed-syria-rebels-routed-by-fighters-linked-to-al-qaeda/2014/11/02/7a8b1351-8fb7-4f7e-a477-66ec0a0aaf34_story.html|title=U.S.-backed Syria rebels routed by fighters linked to al-Qaeda|date=1 November 2014|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=8 December 2014}}</ref>
In June 2015, fighters of Al-Nusra massacred 20 Druze villagers in Idlib province located in north-west Syria.<ref>{{cite news|title=Syrian civil war: Jabhat al-Nusra's massacre of Druze villagers shows they're just as nasty as Isis|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/syrian-civil-war-jabhat-alnusras-massacre-of-druze-villagers-shows-the-group-is-just-as-nasty-as-isis-10318348.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613215054/http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/syrian-civil-war-jabhat-alnusras-massacre-of-druze-villagers-shows-the-group-is-just-as-nasty-as-isis-10318348.html |archive-date=13 June 2015 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|access-date=7 July 2015|work=Independent}}</ref> Al-Jazeera claimed that Al-Nusra's leadership apologized and blamed the incident on a few undisciplined fighters.<ref>{{cite news|title=For Syria's Druze, survival hinges on choosing the right ally|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/7/2/druze-struggle-for-survival-in-syria.html|access-date=7 July 2015|publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref>
In October 2015, Al-Nusra offered bounties worth millions of dollars for the killing of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/bounty-bashar-assad-al-qaeda-nusra-front-offers-34m-syrian-president-23m-hezbollahs-2139793 |title=Bounty For Bashar Assad? Al Qaeda Nusra Front Offers $3.4M For Syrian President, $2.3M For Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah, Leader Says |newspaper=International Business Times |date=13 October 2015}}</ref> Al-Julani said he would pay "three million euros ($3.4 million) for anyone who can kill Bashar Al-Assad and end his story".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/10/13/Nusra-Front-urges-attacks-on-Syria-s-Alawites-to-avenge-Russian-bombings.html |title=Nusra Front issues bounties for Assad, Nasrallah |newspaper=Al Arabiya |date=13 October 2015}}</ref>
In December 2015, two Army of Revolutionaries fighters were beheaded by al-Nusra, according to sources on social media.<ref>{{cite tweet |last=Moussa |first=Jenan |user=jenanmoussa |number=671666302990327808 |date=1 December 2015 |title=2days ago masked men cut off heads of 2Syrian rebels in Jabal Zawiya, north-Syria. I'm not posting vid but @J_N_Violation has horror video > |language=en |access-date=24 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |last=Moussa |first=Jenan |user=jenanmoussa |number=671666482435239936 |date=1 December 2015 |title=Acc to vid, 2beheaded men were accused of belonging to rebel group Jamal Marouf, which was destroyed by Nusra (Al-Qaeda) in 2014 > @akhbar |language=en |access-date=24 December 2020}}</ref>{{better source needed|SPS|date=December 2022}} In December 2015, al-Nusra fighters celebrated the ransoming and exchange of Lebanese army prisoners in the town of Arsal in Lebanon, according to sources on social media.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=الجزيرة مباشر |user=ajmubasher |number=671605655715770368 |date=1 December 2015 |title=#شاهد رد فعل مقاتلي #جبهة_النصرة مع بدء تنفيذ صفقة تبادل الأسرى #مباشر #لبنان #عرسال https://t.co/1Si8ZcjOwC |language=ar |access-date=24 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |last=Moussa |first=Jenan |user=jenanmoussa |number=671630350943039489 |date=1 December 2015 |title=Watch video of AlQaeda fighters inside #Lebanon celebrating prisoner swap. AlJazeera is the exclusive broadcaster. https://t.co/zPKa2arjMu |language=en |access-date=24 December 2020}}</ref>
===Relations with other Syrian rebels in 2015–2016=== left|thumb|An Al-Nusra field commander outside a building jointly occupied by Al-Nusra and Ahrar Al-Sham in the city of Idlib, 30 March 2015 In 2015, rebel factions{{which|date=September 2022}} in southern Syria vowed to distance themselves from the 'extremists' of Al-Nusra in April 2015, but were seen cooperating with them in Daraa only days later.<ref name="ForeignP.5-5-15">{{cite web |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/05/05/why-assad-is-losing-syria-islamists-saudi/|title=Why Assad is losing |work=Foreign Policy|date=5 May 2015|access-date=31 August 2015}}</ref> In May 2015, Al-Nusra was estimated to have 10,000 fighters in Southern Syria, far fewer than the Free Syrian Army, but with superior weaponry on which the FSA depended in joint operations against the government.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2015/0504/Syria-crisis-Spooked-by-rebel-gains-Jordan-doubles-down-on-Islamic-State|title=Syria crisis: Spooked by rebel gains, Jordan doubles down on Islamic State|work=The Christian Science Monitor|date=4 May 2015|access-date=4 May 2015}}</ref>
During successful Syrian opposition offensives in the northern Idlib Governorate from March until May 2015 <small>(see also March–April offensive and April–June 2015 offensive)</small>, Al-Nusra effectively coordinated its operations with the FSA, moderate and conservative Syrian Islamists, and some independent jihadist factions.<ref name="ForeignP.5-5-15"/>
On 17 February 2016, nearly half of Jund Al-Aqsa, numbering 400 fighters, joined Al-Nusra. Five days later, two Damascus-based jihadist groups swore allegiance to Al-Nusra.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/02/jund-al-aqsa-leaders-join-al-nusrah-front.php |title=Jund al Aqsa leaders join Al Nusrah Front |date=17 February 2016 |publisher=The Long War Journal |access-date=9 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/02/2-jihadist-groups-based-in-damascus-swear-allegiance-to-al-nusrah-front.php |title=2 Damascus-based jihadist groups swear allegiance to Al Nusrah Front |publisher=The Long War Journal |date=22 February 2016}}</ref> On 25 February, Al-Nusra Front withdrew from the town of Sarmada, near the Turkish border in the Idlib Province, in an attempt to prevent Russian warplanes from bombing the town after the implementation of the Syria ceasefire.<ref name="al-Nusra abandons Sarmada">{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/?p=158434|title=جبهة النصرة تخلي مقارها في سرمدا الحدودية مع تركيا منعاً لاستخدامها كذريعة لقصف البلدة|author=khaled|work=المرصد السورى لحقوق الإنسان|date=25 February 2016}}</ref>
Jaysh Al-Islam leader Zahran Alloush addressed Jabhat Al-Nusra as "our brothers", saying that "The summary of this issue is that we in Jaish Al-Islam praise our brothers of the Nusrah Front and we don't consider them Khawarij as is propagated against us, We fight alongside them and they fight alongside us".<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zajo2GeKyV4|title=Islam Army Sheikh Zahran Alloush -- Jabhat al-Nusra are our Brothers|date=6 April 2015|website=YouTube|access-date=19 August 2015}}</ref>{{better source needed|dead link to a primary source|date=February 2020}}
According to the BBC in 2016, "Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham has a complex relationship with the more moderate Free Syrian Army (FSA), which is itself an alliance of allied groups, some of which were more willing to co-operate with Nusra than others."<ref>{{cite news |title=Syria war: Who are Jabhat Fateh al-Sham? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-36924000 |work=BBC News |date=1 August 2016}}</ref>
===Russian air raids (2015–2016)=== Russia sees Al-Nusra as a terrorist organization.<ref name="Russian News Agency TASS" /> Russian air strikes reportedly targeted positions held by Al-Nusra from September 2015<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34411653 |title=Russia launches media offensive on Syria bombing |newspaper=BBC News |date=1 October 2015}}</ref> and Al-Nusra set a reward for the seizure of Russian soldiers.<ref>"[http://europe.newsweek.com/al-qaeda-affiliate-issues-bounty-capture-russian-soldiers-syria-334013 Al-Qaeda Affiliate Issues Bounty for Capture of Russian Soldiers in Syria]". ''Newsweek''. 2 October 2015.</ref>
In October 2015 Al-Nusra militant Abu Ubaid Al-Madani, who speaks Russian, released a video addressed to the Russians warning that they would massacre Russian soldiers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vocativ.com/news/238757/syrias-russian-jihadists-vow-to-slaughter-putins-invading-army/|title=Syria's Russian Jihadists Vow To Slaughter Putin's Invading Army|publisher=vocativ.com|access-date=26 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017015104/http://www.vocativ.com/news/238757/syrias-russian-jihadists-vow-to-slaughter-putins-invading-army/|archive-date=17 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ahmed al-Sharaa called for Russian civilians to be attacked by former Soviet Muslims and called for attacks on Alawite villages in Syria.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/syrias-al-qaida-says-russia-launching-crusader-campaign-072924991.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019030919/http://news.yahoo.com/syrias-al-qaida-says-russia-launching-crusader-campaign-072924991.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 October 2015 |title=Russian Embassy shelled in Syria as insurgents hit back |date=13 October 2015 |work=Yahoo News |access-date=14 October 2015 }}</ref><ref name="The Daily Telegraph">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/11927760/Syrias-Nusra-Front-leader-urges-wider-attacks-on-Assads-Alawite-areas-to-avenge-Russian-bombing.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/islamic-state/11927760/Syrias-Nusra-Front-leader-urges-wider-attacks-on-Assads-Alawite-areas-to-avenge-Russian-bombing.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Syria's Nusra Front leader urges wider attacks on Assad's Alawite areas to avenge Russian bombing|work=The Daily Telegraph |date=13 October 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/10/head-of-al-qaedas-syrian-branch-threatens-russia-in-audio-message.php|title=Head of al Qaeda's Syrian branch threatens Russia in audio message|work=The Long War Journal|date=13 October 2015 |access-date=16 October 2015}}</ref> In November 2015, Al-Nusra fighters and Turkish-supported Syrian Turkmen Brigades were engaged in heavy fighting in Syria's northwestern Latakia Governorate against the Syrian government forces supported by the Shiite militias and the Russian air force.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/11/turkey-russia-syria-best-worse-case-scenarios-russian-jet.html |title=After shooting down Russian jet, what's next for Turkey? |work=Al-Monitor |date=26 November 2015 |access-date=5 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231181717/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/11/turkey-russia-syria-best-worse-case-scenarios-russian-jet.html |archive-date=31 December 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Speculations on a split with Al-Qaeda (2015–2016)=== On 29 July 2016 Al-Nusra leader Ahmed al-Sharaa announced the group changed its name to Jabhat Fatah al-Sham and had "no affiliation to any external entity".<ref name="announce-AJ">{{cite news|title=Al-Nusra leader Jolani announces split from al-Qaeda|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/07/al-nusra-leader-jolani-announces-split-al-qaeda-160728163725624.html|access-date=10 December 2016|agency=al Jazeera|date=29 July 2016}}</ref> While some analysts have interpreted this to mean breaking away from Al-Qaeda, the group and association with it were not specifically mentioned in the announcement, nor has it been said that Al-Nusra's oath of allegiance to Ayman Al-Zawahiri have been renounced.<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/07/analysis-al-nusrah-front-rebrands-itself-as-jabhat-fath-al-sham.php|title=Analysis: Al Nusrah Front rebrands itself as Jabhat Fath Al Sham |website=FDD's Long War Journal|date=28 July 2016 |access-date=13 January 2017}}</ref> According to Sharif Nashashibi of Al-Jazeera, Al-Qaeda had "given the split its blessing", and the separation "meant no change in the group's ideology".<ref name="Nashashibi-AJ">{{cite news|last1=Nashashibi|first1=Sharif|title=The ramifications of the Nusra's split from al-Qaeda|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2016/08/ramifications-nusra-split-al-qaeda-160807080125157.html|access-date=10 December 2016|agency=Al Jazeera|date=7 August 2016}}</ref> With numerous senior members of Al-Qaeda enmeshed within Al-Nusra, it can be considered that Al-Qaeda are not "external" to the group.<ref name="ReferenceB"/> To this extent, other analysts say that the announcement was cosmetic, a ruse to obfuscate their continued association and membership within Al-Qaeda.<ref name="Nashashibi-AJ"/> In the time after the announcement, a number of senior Al-Qaeda members were killed by US air strikes, while operating within Al-Nusra.<ref name="businessinsider.com"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://aranews.net/2016/11/us-drone-strike-kills-prominent-turkish-al-qaeda-leader/|title=US drone strike kills prominent Turkish al-Qaeda leader|date=3 November 2016|agency=ARA News|language=en|access-date=13 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215203051/http://aranews.net/2016/11/us-drone-strike-kills-prominent-turkish-al-qaeda-leader/|archive-date=15 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
For over a year prior to this there had been speculation that the group would separate from Al-Qaeda and about what it would mean.
On 12 February 2015, SITE Intelligence Group cited rumours that al-Nusra leader Al-Julani had plans to disassociate from Al-Qaeda.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/al-nusra-front-has-dissociated-al-qaeda-says-abu-muhammad-al-julani-623263|title=Al Nusra Front Has 'Dissociated' from Al Qaeda, Says Abu Muhammad al Julani|date=12 February 2015 |access-date=27 August 2015 |work=International Business Times}}</ref> On 4 March 2015, Reuters reported that "sources within and close to Al-Nusra" said that in the past months Qatar and other Gulf states had encouraged al-Nusra leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa to abandon Al-Qaeda, promising funding to al-Nusra once that break-up was carried out. An official close to the Qatari government had confirmed to Reuters that Qatar wanted al-Nusra to become purely Syrian and disconnect from Al-Qaeda, after which Qatar would start to support al-Nusra with money and supplies. Muzamjer Al-Sham, reportedly a 'prominent jihadi close to al-Nusra had said that al-Nusra would soon merge with Jaish Al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar and other small jihadi brigades and disengage from Al-Qaeda, but that not all al-Nusra emirs had yet agreed to that.<ref name="Reut4Mar2015">{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-nusra-insight-idUKKBN0M00G620150304|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215060020/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-mideast-crisis-nusra-insight-idUKKBN0M00G620150304|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 December 2015|title=Insight - Syria's Nusra Front may leave Qaeda to form new entity|work=Reuters|date=4 March 2015|access-date=30 August 2015|last=Karouny |first=Mariam}}</ref> On 9 March 2015, in a statement issued on Twitter, Al-Nusra denied "completely all reports of a meeting with Qatar" and reports of a break-up with Al-Qaeda. Expert Thomas Pierret at the University of Edinburgh assumed that Qatar was trying to force the hand of Al-Nusra with this "leak" about a split and said a break with Al-Qaeda was very unlikely. French expert on jihadism Romain Caillet agreed: "The overwhelming majority of Al-Nusra members want to stay in Al-Qaeda, particularly foreign fighters who represent at least one-third of the organisation".<ref name="Yahoo9Mar2015">{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/qaeda-syria-denies-plan-break-away-194745608.html|title=Qaeda in Syria denies plan to break away|publisher=Yahoo! News |agency=AFP|date=9 March 2015|access-date=30 August 2015|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20150322041909/https://news.yahoo.com/qaeda-syria-denies-plan-break-away-194745608.html|archive-date=2015-03-22}}</ref>
But in May 2015 Abu Maria Al-Qahtani, the commander of Al-Nusra in Deir ez-Zor province, still strongly advocated a split with Al-Qaeda.<ref name=beast4May2015/> Muhamed Nabih Osman, leading a charitable organisation for former Assad prisoners, said to website ''The Daily Beast'' on 4 May 2015: "I think it will happen soon. You have to understand that Al-Nusra consists of two very different parts and that one part, mostly local fighters, are not interested in global jihad".<ref name=beast4May2015>{{cite news |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/04/syria-s-rebels-on-winning-streak-in-alliance-with-al-qaeda.html |title= SYRIA'S REBELS ON WINNING STREAK—IN ALLIANCE WITH AL QAEDA |work=The Daily Beast |last=Dettmer |first=Jamie |date=4 May 2015 |access-date=4 May 2015 |quote="I think it will happen soon," says Muhamed Nabih Osman, who oversees a charitable association for former Assad prisoners. "You have to understand that al Nusra consists of two very different parts and that one part, mostly local fighters, are not interested in global jihad." [...] But local fighters—who likely make up 80 percent of al Nusra—have been opposed to deal-making with ISIS and have been critical of the harsh governance methods used by some of their pro-ISIS comrades in territory controlled by al Nusra.}}</ref>
On 7 May 2015, a Turkish official said that Turkey and Saudi Arabia were bolstering Ahrar Al-Sham at al-Nusra's expense, hoping that Al-Sham's rise puts pressure on al-Nusra to renounce its ties to Al-Qaeda and open itself to outside help.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/07/turkey-saudi-arabia-syria-rebels-pact_n_7232750.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508173130/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/07/turkey-saudi-arabia-syria-rebels-pact_n_7232750.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 May 2015 |title=Turkey Officials Confirm Pact With Saudi Arabia To Help Rebels Fighting Syria's Assad |work=Huffington Post |agency=AP |last=Butler |first=Desmond |date=7 May 2015 |access-date=27 August 2015 |quote=Turkish officials say they distinguish between international jihadist groups and others with more localized aims. They place al-Sham in the latter category. Moreover, they hope to use al-Sham's rise to put pressure on Nusra to renounce its ties to al-Qaida and open itself to outside help.}}</ref>
A "well-connected Syrian Islamist" cited in May 2015 by Charles Lister in ''The Huffington Post'' said: "There are now two main currents...the conservatives are keen on keeping ties to Al-Qaeda and the others are more inclined towards the new Syria-focused approach". Another "Islamist official from Damascus" is cited: "al-Nusra's disengagement from al Qaeda would be good for the revolution, but Jabhat Al-Nusra will always be in dire need of al Qaeda's name to keep its foreign fighters away from IS. Most Jabhat foreign fighters will never accept to fight and die for what looks like an Islamic national project."<ref name=Lister>{{cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/charles-lister/an-internal-struggle-al-q_b_7479730.html |title=An Internal Struggle: Al Qaeda's Syrian Affiliate Is Grappling With Its Identity |work=Huffington Post |last=Lister|first=Charles |date=31 May 2015 |access-date=27 August 2015}}</ref>
In late July 2016, through various sources, the Middle East Eye claimed that an organizational split from Al-Qaeda is "imminent", with the proposal reportedly been approved by AQ leaders and proposed a new name called "Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham", or the "Conquest of the Levant Front". However, the sources claimed that the move would not affect Al-Nusra's Al-Qaeda ideology and its plan to commit attacks on the West.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/nusra-front-split-al-qaeda-imminent-sources-claim-411085001|title=Nusra Front split from al-Qaeda 'imminent', sources claim|work=Middle East Eye|date=25 July 2016}}</ref>
The organisation grew in early 2016. Charles Lister reported that "According to three Islamist sources based in the area, Jabhat Al-Nusra successfully recruited at least 3,000 Syrians into its ranks between February and June 2016."<ref name="brookings" /> In mid-2016, reports suggested it was composed of around 5,000 to 10,000 fighters,<ref name="Schmitt 2016">{{cite web | last=Schmitt | first=Eric | title=Al Qaeda Turns to Syria, With a Plan to Challenge ISIS | website=The New York Times | date=15 May 2016 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/16/world/middleeast/al-qaeda-turns-to-syria-with-a-plan-to-challenge-isis.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228115649/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/16/world/middleeast/al-qaeda-turns-to-syria-with-a-plan-to-challenge-isis.html | archive-date=28 February 2017 | url-status=live | access-date=19 December 2022}}</ref><ref>By Cameron Glenn [https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/the-nusra-front-al-qaedas-affiliate-syria The Nusra Front: Al Qaeda's Affiliate in Syria], The Wilson Centre, 17 June 2016</ref> with the Russian ministry of defence estimating 7,000 fighters in Idlib province.<ref>Lidia Kelly [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-russia/russia-announces-daily-ceasefires-in-syrias-aleppo-to-let-in-aid-idUSKCN10L1WL Russia announces daily ceasefires in Syria's Aleppo to let in aid], Reuters, 10 August 2016</ref>
===As Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham (July 2016 – January 2017)=== [[File:FSA vs JFS conflicts in January 2017.png|thumb|270px|Idlib Governorate clashes in January–March 2017]] In August 2016, the BBC estimated Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham as having 5,000–10,000 fighters, all Syrian.<ref name=JFSFC >BBC [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-36924000 Syria war: Who are Jabhat Fateh al-Sham?] 1 August 2016</ref> Lister gave a figure of 10,000.<ref name="brookings" /> In a public statement issued by its spokesperson, JFS announced that it was officially splitting from Al-Qaeda:
<blockquote>[Before this change, Jabhat Al-Nusra] was an official branch of Al-Qaeda. We reported to their central command, and we worked within their framework; we adhered to their policies. With the formation of JFS, we are completely independent. That means we don't report to anyone, we don't receive directives from any external entity. If dissolving external organizational affiliations or ties will remove the obstacles in the way of unity, then this must be done. When we were part of Al-Qaeda ... our core policy was to focus all of our efforts on the Syrian issue. That was our policy before and it will be our policy today and tomorrow.<ref name="auto2"/></blockquote>
In July Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham kidnapped the American journalist Lindsey Snell in northern Syria. She escaped to Turkey's Hatay Province in August and was subsequently arrested by Turkish authorities for being in a military exclusion zone and imprisoned.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/us-journalist-who-escaped-jabhat-fateh-al-sham-captivity-lands-turkey-jail-violating-military-1579060|title=US journalist who escaped Jabhat Fateh Al-Sham captivity, lands in Turkey jail for violating military zone|work=International Business Times|date=1 September 2016}}</ref> The mid-2016 rebel offensive in Aleppo was carried out by Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham alongside the Turkistan Islamic Party and Ahrar Al-Sham.<ref>{{cite AV media |people=Bilal Abdul-Kareem |date=29 January 2017 |title=OGN – Tahreer Sham: Who won in this merger? |language= en-US |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLJaIFsBCKM | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/NLJaIFsBCKM| archive-date=17 November 2021 | url-status=live|publisher=OGN TV }}{{cbignore}}</ref> On 31 August, Hezbollah attacked a JFS outpost in the Qalamoun Mountains near the city of Arsal, Lebanon, on the Lebanon–Syria border, killing a number of their fighters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.albawaba.com/news/hezbollah-kills-jabhat-fateh-al-sham-militants-lebanese-border-879256|title=Hezbollah kills Jabhat Fateh al Sham militants on Lebanese border|work=Al-Bawaba|date=1 September 2016}}</ref>
On 8 September an airstrike of unknown origin killed the top JFS military commander, Abu Hajer Al-Homsi (''nom de guerre'' Abu Omar Saraqeb), among several other Army of Conquest commanders in the countryside of the Aleppo Governorate,<ref name=former /> the rebels accused the United States of conducting the strike, but this was denied by the Pentagon and subsequently Russia took responsibility.<ref name=former /> On 3 October, Ahmad Salama Mabruk, an Egyptian JFS and Al-Qaeda commander, was killed by a US airstrike against his vehicle in Jisr Al-Shughur.<ref name=cook>{{cite web|url=https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/962767/statement-by-pentagon-press-secretary-peter-cook-on-strike-against-al-qaeda-lea/|title=Statement by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on Strike against al-Qaida Leader|work=US Department of Defense|date=3 October 2016}}</ref>
On 9 October, Jund Al-Aqsa, after infighting between them and numerous rebel groups including Ahrar Al-Sham, merged with JFS. In early October, according to pro-government Al-Masdar News, a number of Mountain Hawks Brigade fighters defected to join Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham due to several disagreements, mainly due to the established of the Free Idlib Army.<ref>[https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/us-backed-rebels-defect-al-qaeda-branch-syria/ US-backed rebels defect to al-Qaeda branch in Syria] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824014213/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/us-backed-rebels-defect-al-qaeda-branch-syria/ |date=24 August 2017 }} Al Masdar News, 5 October 2016</ref>{{better source needed|not reliable for rebel/jihadi info|date=December 2022}} On 25 January 2017, according to rebel social media, they returned, along with their leader Lt. Col. Nasha'at Haj Ahmad to the Mountain Hawks Brigade.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/free_idleb_army|title=جيش إدلب الحر (@free_idleb_army)}}</ref>
{{Syrian Civil War map}}
As of late 2016, Al-Nusra mainly controlled territory throughout Idlib Governorate, alongside other factions in the Army of Conquest.<ref name="jaz.15Dec2014">{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/12/syria-rebels-capture-key-idlib-army-bases-20141215124811678445.html|title=Syria rebels capture key Idlib army bases |work=Al Jazeera English|date=15 December 2014|access-date=31 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34196438|title=Syria conflict: Rebels seize key Idlib airbase|newspaper=BBC News|access-date=19 September 2015|date=9 September 2015}}</ref> It also held some areas in the Quneitra Governorate.
On 1 January 2017, a US drone strike killed Abu Omar Al-Turkistani, a senior Al-Qaeda member and Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham military commander, along with three other JFS members near the town of Sarmada in the northern Idlib Governorate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/turkey-says-airstrikes-killed-22-is-militants-in-syria/3659580.html|title=Monitors: Airstrike in Syria Kills Extremist Leaders Near Turkish Border|work=VOA News|date=2 January 2017}}</ref> The next day, more than 25 JFS members were killed in an air raid by suspected US planes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/01/04/ex-qaeda-affiliate-leaders-among-25-dead-syria-strike|title=Ex-Qaeda affiliate leaders among 25 dead in Syria strike|work=AFP|date=4 January 2017}}</ref> The Tora Bora battle saw Turkistani's participation.<ref>{{cite tweet |last=Weiss |first=Caleb |user=Weissenberg7 |number=830980253279453184 |date=12 February 2017 |title=Ansar Jihad reports he fought in Afghanistan in Tora Bora before fleeing to Pakistan and being captured by Pakistani intel. |language=en |access-date=24 December 2020}}</ref> The Islamic Jihad Union enlisted Turkistani as a member.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/02/uighur-jihadist-fought-in-afghanistan-killed-in-syria.php |title=Uighur jihadist fought in Afghanistan, killed in Syria |last=Weiss |first=Caleb |date=14 February 2017 |website=Long War Journal |publisher=Foundation for Defense of Democracies }}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |last=Weiss |first=Caleb |user=Weissenberg7 |number=830980443952525312 |date=12 February 2017 |title=In 2011, he was freed and returned to Afghanistan and fought with the AQ-linked Islamic Jihad Union before going to Syria |language=en |access-date=24 December 2020}}</ref> Jabhat Fath al Sham included Turkistani.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/01/pentagon-airstrikes-kill-20-al-qaeda-fighters-in-northern-syria.php |title=Pentagon: Airstrikes kill 20 or more al Qaeda fighters in northern Syria |last=Joscelyn |first=Thomas |date=5 January 2017 |website=Long War Journal |publisher=Foundation for Defense of Democracies }}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |last=Weiss |first=Caleb |user=Weissenberg7 |number=830982040518610944 |date=12 February 2017 |title=See this piece from @thomasjoscelyn for more information on Turkistani's JFS role: https://t.co/xYblBBNu0S |language=en |access-date=24 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |last=Weiss |first=Caleb |user=Weissenberg7 |number=830981284772114432 |date=12 February 2017 |title=When he was killed last month in a US drone strike, jihadis reported he was a senior figure of JFS (now Tahrir al Sham) #Syria |language=en |access-date=24 December 2020}}</ref> SOHR identified Al-Turkestani from among the dead.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=58301 |title=Two days after the killing of "jihadist" leaders… airstrikes by unknown warplanes again near Sarmada |date=3 January 2017 |website=Syrian Observatory for Human Rights }}</ref> Before dying in Syria, Al-Turkistani was in the Afghanistan war.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Long War Journal |user=LongWarJournal |number=831611068988407808 |date=14 February 2017 |title=Uighur jihadist fought in Afghanistan, killed in Syria - https://t.co/tnbHsn2XL4 https://t.co/MsKmj7wll7 |language=en |access-date=24 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |last=Weiss |first=Caleb |user=Weissenberg7 |number=831625359539986433 |date=14 February 2017 |title=Profile of Abu Omar al Turkistani, who was killed in a US drone strike in #Syria last month: https://t.co/w0yjkZCNsU |language=en |access-date=24 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |last=Pantucci |first=Raffaello |user=raffpantucci |number=831644415013818369 |date=14 February 2017 |title=Uighur jihadist fought in Afghanistan, killed in Syria -a profile of Abu Umar al Turkistani https://t.co/pY5nu0ffsE |language=en |access-date=24 December 2020}}</ref> He was also the emir for the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Ansar Jihad in Central Asia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kyleorton1991.wordpress.com/2017/01/20/the-coalition-strikes-down-al-qaedas-leaders-in-syria/ |title=The Coalition Strikes Down Al-Qaeda's Leaders in Syria |last=Orton |first=Kyle |date=20 January 2017 |website=The Syrian Intifada }}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |last=Weiss |first=Caleb |user=Weissenberg7 |number=830979431510503424 |date=12 February 2017 |title=Last month, Ansar Jihad, a largely Central Asian al Qaeda-linked group in #Syria, released a bio for its killed military emir https://t.co/3WmDErF6Lu |language=en |access-date=24 December 2020}}</ref> Europeans make up an amount while Central Asians make up the majority of foreigners in the Afghanistan-based Islamic Jihad Union which is allied to Al-Qaeda.<ref>{{cite tweet |last=Weiss |first=Caleb |user=Weissenberg7 |number=832093774184583169 |date=16 February 2017 |title=Some foreign fighters within the al Qaeda-linked Islamic Jihad Union in #Afghanistan. Most are Central Asians, but likely some Europeans too https://t.co/ts9lsHAsjp |language=en |access-date=24 December 2020}}</ref>
On 19 January 2017, US airstrikes by Boeing B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers struck the former Syrian Army Sheikh Suleiman military base in western Aleppo, which was used by Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham and the Nour Al-Din Al-Zenki Movement, killing at least 110 Al-Qaeda fighters,<ref name="more than 100">{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=59583|title=US air strikes kill more than 100 'al-Qaeda militants' at training camp in Syria|date=22 January 2017}}</ref> including Abu Hasan Al-Taftanaz, an Al-Qaeda senior leader, along with some Al-Zenki fighters. Since 1 January 2017, more than 150 AQ members were killed by US airstrikes in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/1055727/us-airstrike-kills-more-than-100-al-qaida-fighters-in-syria/|title=U.S. Airstrike Kills More Than 100 al-Qaida Fighters in Syria|work=US Department of Defense|date=20 January 2017}}</ref> Condolences were issued to Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham over the killings, by the Uyghur jihadist Turkistan Islamic Party.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}} The training camp had been operated by Al-Nusra Front and Al-Zenki since 2013.<ref name="more than 100" /> Outrage over the lack of condolences from other factions over an American bombing and killing of 100+ JFS members was voiced by Muhaysini.<ref>{{cite tweet |last=Al-Tamimi |first=Aymenn |user=ajaltamimi |number=822827808204476417 |date=21 January 2017 |title=Saudi jihadi cleric in Syria Sheikh Muheisseni is very upset re. lack of condolences from factions regarding latest U.S. strike on JFS camp https://t.co/DDkmRy03K9 |language=en |access-date=24 December 2020}}</ref>
On 21 January 2017, five factions from Ahrar Al-Sham left to join the Al-Nusra Front;- Jaish Al-Ahrar, Al-Bara, Dhu Nurayn, Al-Sawa'iq and Usud Al-Har Battalion, according to social media sources.<ref name="twitter.com">{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Al_Maqal_PL/status/822894926530772992|title=Tweet / Twitter}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |last=Al-Tamimi |first=Aymenn |user=ajaltamimi |number=822891955323633665 |date=21 January 2017 |title=#Syria: Four Ahrar al-Sham battalions reportedly defect to Jabhat Fatah al-Sham https://t.co/gbsbkI66gw |language=en |access-date=24 December 2020}}</ref> On the same day, 2 Al-Nusra Shura Council members based in Aleppo announced that they left the group.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}} Ahrar Al-Sham, the Suqour Al-Sham Brigade, Jabhat Ahl Al-Sham, Jaysh Al-Islam and Fastaqim Union then established a joint operations room to combat Al-Nusra and its subfaction Jund Al-Aqsa.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}
Abu Umar Saraqib and Abu Faraj's deaths received condolences from the Turkistan Islamic Party.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jihadology.net/2017/01/22/new-statement-from-%e1%b8%a5izb-al-islami-al-turkistani-in-bilad-al-sham-condolences-on-the-martyrdom-of-the-constellation-of-heroes/ |title=New statement from Ḥizb al-Islāmī al-Turkistānī in Bilād al-Shām: "Condolences on the Martyrdom of the Constellation of Heroes" |date=22 January 2017 |website=Jihadology }}</ref>
=== Formation of Tahrir Al-Sham (January 2017) === On 28 January 2017, several Salafi jihadist groups, including Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham, agreed upon a merger agreement, resulting in the formation of a new group called Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham ("Organization for the Liberation of the Levant").<ref name="longwarjournal1">{{cite web|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/01/al-qaeda-and-allies-announce-new-entity-in-syria.php|title=Al Qaeda and allies announce 'new entity' in Syria {{!}} FDD's Long War Journal|website=FDD's Long War Journal|language=en|access-date=29 January 2017|date=28 January 2017}}</ref> With Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham being one of the most powerful/influential groups in the new formation, its leader Ahmed al-Sharaa was appointed the high-level position of overall military commander of the new group.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}} The only other position of equal or greater authority in the new group is the Emir, to which role was appointed Abu Jaber Sheikh, who defected from Ahrar Al-Sham to join this new group.<ref name="longwarjournal1"/>
==External support== At least one Arab government<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/qatar/11110931/How-Qatar-is-funding-the-rise-of-Islamist-extremists.html|title=How Qatar is funding the rise of Islamist extremists|author=David Blair and Richard Spencer|date=20 September 2014|work=Telegraph|access-date=28 November 2015}}</ref> accused Qatar of helping Al-Nusra.<ref>[https://www.ft.com/content/f2d9bbc8-bdbc-11e2-890a-00144feab7de "How Qatar seized control of the Syrian revolution"]. ''Financial Times''. 17 May 2013.</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/eNews/12392.aspx |title=Gulf allies and 'Army of Conquest |newspaper=Al-Ahram Weekly |date=28 May 2015 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |access-date=2 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140811/http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/eNews/12392.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="The Hillary Doctrine" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gulf-qatar-syria/gulf-crisis-seen-widening-split-in-syria-rebellion-idUSKBN19517O|title=Gulf crisis seen widening split in Syria rebellion|work=Reuters}}</ref> In October 2014, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said that Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates had "poured hundreds of millions of dollars and tens of thousands of tons of weapons into anyone who would fight against Al-Assad, except that the people who were being supplied were Al-Nusra, and al Qaeda, and the extremist elements of jihadis coming from other parts of the world."<ref>{{cite news |title=Joe Biden Is the Only Honest Man in Washington |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2014/10/07/joe-biden-is-the-only-honest-man-in-washington/ |work=Foreign Policy |date=7 October 2014}}</ref> In 2015, ''The Independent'' reported that Saudi Arabia and Turkey were "focusing their backing for the Syrian rebels on the combined Jaish Al-Fatah, or the Army of Conquest, a command structure for jihadist groups in Syria that [included] Jabhat Al-Nusra."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-crisis-turkey-and-saudi-arabia-shock-western-countries-by-supporting-antiassad-jihadists-10242747.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220506/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-crisis-turkey-and-saudi-arabia-shock-western-countries-by-supporting-antiassad-jihadists-10242747.html |archive-date=6 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Turkey and Saudi Arabia alarm the West by backing Islamist extremists the Americans had bombed in Syria |author=Kim Sengupta |newspaper=The Independent |date=12 May 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
Al-Nusra was also materially supported by multiple foreign fighters. Most of these fighters were from Europe and the Middle East, as pipelines to Syria from those locations are better established and navigable.<ref>{{cite web|title=American and International Militants Drawn to Syria|url=http://www.adl.org/combating-hate/international-extremism-terrorism/c/syria-foreign-fighters.html|publisher=Anti-Defamation League}}</ref> However, as of November 2013, there were also 6 publicly disclosed cases of American citizens and permanent residents who joined or attempted to join Al-Nusra in 2013 alone.<ref name="auto1"/>
The US government sent weapons to rebels in Syria from at least late 2013,<ref>{{cite news|author=Ernesto Londoño and Greg Miller |url=http://m.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/cia-begins-weapons-delivery-to-syrian-rebels/2013/09/11/9fcf2ed8-1b0c-11e3-a628-7e6dde8f889d_story.html |title=CIA begins weapons delivery to Syrian rebels - The Washington Post |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=11 September 2013 |access-date=18 August 2014}}</ref> and perhaps as early as 2012,<ref>{{cite news|title=U.S. has secretly provided arms training to Syria rebels since 2012 |url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/sns-la-fg-cia-syria-20130622-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623024255/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jun/21/world/la-fg-cia-syria-20130622 |url-status=live |archive-date=23 June 2013 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date= 21 June 2013}}</ref> during the beginning phases of the conflict (CIA's covert program Timber Sycamore). Some of these weapons reportedly fell into the hands of Al-Nusra.<ref>{{cite web|author=Lisa Lundquist|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/04/the_murky_flow_of_us_weapons_i.php|title=The shadowy flow of US weapons into Syria|publisher=Longwarjournal.org |date=27 April 2014 |access-date=3 June 2015}}</ref> Weapons have been passed on to Nusra by Ahrar ash-Sham according to a Nusra member and rebels.<ref>{{cite news |last=Karouny |first=Mariam |date=22 September 2015 |title=Resilient insurgent group Ahrar al-Sham to play bigger role in Syria |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-syria-crisis-ahrar-insight-idUSKCN0RM0EZ20150922 |newspaper=Reuters |location=BEIRUT }}</ref> The Pentagon confirmed in September 2015 that a small group of US-trained New Syrian Forces rebels gave six pickup trucks and a portion of their ammunition to Al-Nusra Front in exchange for safe passage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/09/trained-syria-fighters-gave-equipment-nusra-front-150926011820488.html|title=US-trained Syria fighters gave equipment to Nusra Front|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=28 November 2015}}</ref>
There were cases of Al-Nusra combatants receiving medical aid in Israel and returning to fight. Former head of Mossad, Efraim Halevy, in an interview for Al-Jazeera implicitly confirmed that such practices had taken place, as part of a general Israeli policy of treating wounded rebel fighters on the border.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Report-Israel-treating-al-Qaida-fighters-wounded-in-Syria-civil-war-393862|title=Report: Israel treating al-Qaida fighters wounded in Syria civil war|work=Jerusalem Post|date=15 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/upfront/2016/05/mossad-head-israel-medical-aid-al-nusra-front-160531081744269.html|title=Ex-Mossad head on Israel medical aid to al-Nusra Front|work=Al-Jazeera|date=31 May 2016}}</ref> Israel, however, denies formal ties of any sort between itself and Al-Nusra<ref>{{cite news|work=Al Monitor|title=IDF denies ties between Israel, Jabhat al-Nusra|date=24 June 2015|access-date=19 February 2018|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/06/israel-idf-jabhat-al-nusra-druze-syria-interview-moti-almoz.html}}</ref> and Elizabeth Tsurkov reported that Nusra refused to cooperate with Israel, in fact kidnapping and assassinating suspected collaborators.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=Elizrael|last=Tsurkov|first=Elizabeth|number=956568263386976258|title=Rafeed is also home to Jabhat al-Nusra (which kidnapped & apparently assassinated collaborators with Israel) and ISIS cells. Anyone familiar with southern Syria would know this.|date=25 January 2018}}</ref>
===Qatari involvement=== The Emir of Qatar publicly admitted, in an interview with Christiane Amanpour, that he doesn't always see eye to eye with American terrorist designations: "I know that in America and some countries they look at some movements as terrorist movements. ... But there are differences. There are differences that some countries and some people that any group which comes from Islamic background are terrorists. And we don't accept that. It would be a 'big mistake', to consider every Islamic movement to be 'extremists'."<ref>{{cite news|last=Krever |first=Mick |url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/25/world/meast/qatar-emir/ |title=Qatar's Emir: We don't fund terrorists |publisher=CNN |date=25 September 2014 |access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref> It has been suggested{{by whom|date=December 2018}} that one of the designated groups that the Emir spoke of in this interview at CNN was Al-Nusra Front.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}
Al Nusra has kidnapped a diverse group of people from nationalities that span the globe, including Turkey, Fiji, Lebanon, Syria and Italy. On each occasion, Qatar engaged in a substantial financial agreement with Al Nusra in exchange for hostages. According to the one analyst, the reason why Al Nusra was the only plausible threat was because of Saudi and Qatari funding: "Jabhat Al-Nusra has become the best-armed force among the opposition groups. It has been at the tip of the spear in operations in Eastern Syria, Aleppo, and Damascus. Its combat proficiency and relatively greater access to material and funding have led other opposition groups to tolerate its participation in military operations across the country."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hoover.org/research/smart-and-right-thing-syria |title=The Smart and Right Thing in Syria |author=Kimberly Kagan|publisher=Hoover Institute |access-date=20 December 2018}}</ref>
Qatar managed the negotiations with Al-Nusra Front that ultimately led to American writer Peter Theo Curtis's release. Qatari Intelligence Chief Ghanim Khalifa Al-Kubaisi sent a contact a text with the words "Done"—and a thumbs-up emoticon—after Curtis's release was completed.<ref name="foreignpolicy.com">{{cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2014/09/30/the-case-against-qatar/ |title=The Case Against Qatar |work=Foreign Policy |date=30 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/american-executive-former-fbi-agent-and-qataris-sought-to-free-peter-theo-curtis/2014/08/25/43d24bac-2c85-11e4-9b98-848790384093_story.html|title=Qatar played now-familiar role in helping to broker U.S. hostage's release|first1=Adam|last1=Goldman|first2=Karen|last2=DeYoung|date=25 August 2014|via=www.washingtonpost.com}}</ref>
According to ''The Fiscal Times'', Qatar had great influence over the group that goes beyond ransom payments. In many cases, Qatar acted as a political mediator between Al Nusra and other countries such as Lebanon:<ref name="thefiscaltimes.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/2015/12/29/How-Qatar-Funding-al-Qaeda-and-Why-Could-Help-US |title=How Qatar Is Funding al-Qaeda-and Why That Could Help the U.S. |work=The Fiscal Times|date=29 December 2015}}</ref> "A prisoner swap between the Lebanese government and Al-Qaeda's branch in Syria, Al-Nusra Front in early December showed how powerful the group has become on the ground. The deal released 16 Lebanese soldiers and police officers who were captured during a joint ISIS–al-Nusra operation along with 29 civilians, some of whom are known terrorists."<ref name="thefiscaltimes.com" /> Indeed, Qatar's mediation between Al Nusra and Lebanon ultimately guaranteed Al-Nusra freedom of movement inside what was once a safe haven in Lebanon's Hamid valley, bordering Syria, giving Al Nusra access to the Lebanese town of Arsal.<ref name="thefiscaltimes.com" />
But one diplomat went so far as to suggest that, beyond the scope of mediation and paying ransom, "They [Qatar] are partly responsible for Jabhat Al-Nusra having money and weapons and everything they need." The diplomat went on to say that while Qatar hasn't directly funded ISIS, it is responsible for the fact that ISIS gained Al Nusra weapons as members of Al Nusra are known to defect to ISIS.<ref>{{cite news|last=Blair |first=David |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/qatar/11110931/How-Qatar-is-funding-the-rise-of-Islamist-extremists.html |title=How Qatar is funding the rise of Islamist extremists |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=20 September 2014}}</ref>
Qatar's alleged support of Al Nusra was highly criticized in both U.S. and U.K media.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/08/world/middleeast/qatars-support-of-extremists-alienates-allies-near-and-far.html|title=Qatar's Support of Islamists Alienates Allies Near and Far|date=8 September 2014|work=The New York Times}}</ref>
According to 2021 articles by ''The Times'', Qatar has allegedly played a central role in a secret money laundering operation to send hundreds of millions of dollars to Al-Nusra Front terrorists in Syria.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/middle-east/article/qatar-funnelled-millions-of-dollars-to-nusra-front-terrorists-in-syria-x5rnbsr3l |title=Qatar funnelled millions of dollars to Nusra Front terrorists in Syria |author=Andrew Norfolk |work=The Times |date=4 June 2021}}</ref>
==Weaponry and tactics== thumb|An Al-Nusra Front battalion training during the Syrian Civil War.
The organisation is believed to have used, at various times and in various places, the following tactics: car-bombs, chemical weapons, suicide-attacks, targeting of checkpoints, conventional assault of military bases, assassination of political and military figures and members of the Shabiha,<ref name="quilliam"/> targeting (destruction/killing) of pro-government media stations and personnel.<ref>{{cite journal | jstor=26295960 | title=Islamic State and Al-Nusra | last1=Chapman | first1=Geoffrey | journal=Perspectives on Terrorism | year=2017 | volume=11 | issue=6 | pages=112–121 }}</ref>
By June 2013, there had been apparently 70 suicide-attacks in Syria. Of these, the group denied responsibility for 13 but claimed responsibility for the other 57. In June 2012, the group attacked the pro-government TV station at Drousha, near Damascus. The following month the government-TV presenter Mohammed Al-Saeed disappeared; the group later declared him dead.
In June 2014, Human Rights Watch reported that several rebel groups, including Al-Nusra, had enlisted child soldiers into their ranks.<ref>{{cite news|title=Syria rebel groups recruit child soldiers, says rights watchdog|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/23/world/meast/hrw-child-soldiers/index.html?hpt=wo_c2|access-date=27 June 2014|author=Deborah E. Bloom|publisher=CNN}}</ref>
In November 2014, Al-Nusra claimed to have captured U.S.-made TOW anti-tank missiles supplied by the United States to moderate anti-Assad rebels.<ref>[http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/syria-al-nusra-jihadists-capture-us-weaponry-moderate-rebels-1472864 "Syria: Al-Nusra Jihadists 'Capture US TOW Anti-Tank Missiles' from Moderate Rebels"]. ''International Business Times''. 3 November 2014.</ref> The group allegedly captured tanks, machine guns, ammunition, vehicles and American anti-tank missiles from the U.S.-backed Syrian Rebel Front.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mapping Militant Organizations: Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (Formerly Jabhat al-Nusra)|url=https://web.stanford.edu/group/mappingmilitants/cgi-bin/groups/view/493 |publisher=Stanford University|date=14 August 2017}}</ref>
Al-Nusra Front allegedly have an elite sniper unit known as the "Wolf Group". Training is conducted in Aleppo by veteran jihadists who belong to the Khorasan Group, a collection of veteran Al-Qaeda operatives sent from Al-Qaeda strongholds along the Afghan-Pakistan border.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wolf or Khorasan: Who Was Jabhat al-Nusra's Abu Yusuf al-Turki?|work=Chechens in Syria|first=Joanna|last=Paraszczuk|url=http://www.chechensinsyria.com/?p=22623|date=2 October 2014|access-date=10 October 2014|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140838/http://www.chechensinsyria.com/?p=22623|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In October 2015, Al-Julani called for indiscriminate attacks on Alawite villages in Syria. He said "There is no choice but to escalate the battle and to target Alawite towns and villages in Latakia".<ref name="The Daily Telegraph"/>
===Turkish arrests for alleged chemical weapon purchase=== On 30 May 2013, Turkish newspapers reported that Turkish security forces had arrested Al-Nusra fighters in the southern provinces of Mersin and Adana near the Syrian border and confiscated 2 kg of sarin gas.<ref name=McDonnell>{{cite news|last=McDonnell|first=Patrick J.|url=https://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-syrian-rebels-sarin-gas-20130913,0,4224285.story|title=Syrian rebel groups sought sarin gas material, Turkish prosecutors say|work=Los Angeles Times|date=13 September 2013|access-date=22 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/news-316966-report-police-foil-al-nusra-bomb-attack-planned-for-adana.html|title=Report: Police foil al-Nusra bomb attack planned for Adana |work=Today's Zaman|date=30 May 2013|access-date=19 June 2013}}</ref>{{Verify source|date=December 2018}} The governor of Adana claimed that the security forces had not found sarin gas but unknown chemicals.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Burch, Jonathon|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-turkey-idUSBRE94T0YO20130530|title=Turkey arrests 12 in raids on 'terrorist' organization|work=Reuters|date=30 May 2013|access-date=8 August 2013}}</ref> The Turkish Ambassador to Moscow later said that tests showed the chemical seized was anti-freeze, not sarin.<ref>{{cite news|title=No Chemical Arms Seized from Syrian Militants, Turkish Envoy Says|url=http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/no-chemical-arms-seized-syrian-militants-turkish-envoy-says/|access-date=12 September 2013|publisher=Global Security Newswire|date=5 July 2013}}</ref> In September, six of those arrested in May (one Syrian, Heysem Topalca, and five Turks, alleged to be members of Al-Nusra and Ahrar Al-Sham) were charged with attempting to acquire chemicals which could be used to produce sarin; the indictment said that it was "possible to produce sarin gas by combining the materials in proper conditions."<ref>''Aydınlık'', 12 September 2013, [http://www.aydinlikdaily.com/Al-Nusra-Linked-to-Chemical-Production-in-Turkey-591 Al-Nusra Linked to Chemical Production in Turkey] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920171737/http://www.aydinlikdaily.com/Al-Nusra-Linked-to-Chemical-Production-in-Turkey-591 |date=20 September 2013 }}</ref> The indictment said that "The suspects have pleaded not guilty saying that they had not been aware the materials they had tried to obtain could have been used to make sarin gas. Suspects have been consistently providing conflicting and incoherent facts on this matter." The indictment said the suspects working for Al-Nusra and to Ahrar Al-Sham.<ref>Hurriyet Daily News, 12 September 2013, [http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/syrian-rebel-groups-sought-to-buy-materials-for-chemical-weapons-prosecutors-say.aspx?pageID=238&nID=54365&NewsCatID=341 Syrian rebel groups sought to buy materials for chemical weapons, prosecutors say]</ref><ref name=McDonnell/> The prosecutors were dismissed and the men were freed in October 2013. A new arrest warrant was later issued, but the perpetrators were never tried. Topalca was tried and convicted in absentia for other terrorism crimes, but not apprehended; he died in 2021.<ref name="Al-Monitor 2021">{{cite web | title=Elusive figure of Syrian war dies with secrets in Turkey | website=Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East | date=1 March 2021 | url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/03/turkey-syria-fugitive-turkmen-heysem-topalca-dies.html | access-date=18 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Turkey: Syrian jailed for being member of terror group | website=Anadolu Ajansı | date=29 December 2015 | url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/turkey-syrian-jailed-for-being-member-of-terror-group/498080 | access-date=18 October 2022}}</ref><ref name="Anadolu Ajansı 2015">{{cite web | title='Sarin gazı' davasına 29 Aralık'ta devam edilecek | website=Anadolu Ajansı | date=16 December 2015 | url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/turkiye/sarin-gazi-davasina-29-aralikta-devam-edilecek/491998 | language=tr | access-date=18 October 2022}}</ref>
==War crimes== {{see also|Hatla massacre|Zara'a massacre}}
On 29 May 2012, a mass execution was discovered near the eastern city of Deir ez-Zor.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gladstone|first=Rick|title=U.S. Envoy Sees Grim Outcome for Syria|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/31/world/middleeast/another-mass-execution-is-discovered-in-syria.html?_r=2&smid=tw-nytimes&seid=auto&|newspaper=The New York Times|date=30 May 2012}}</ref> On 5 June 2012, Al-Nusra Front claimed responsibility for the 13 killings.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-militant-claim-idUSBRE8540LB20120605|title=Militant group claims killing of 13 in Syria|newspaper=Reuters|access-date=27 October 2014|date=5 June 2012}}</ref>
According to Human Rights Watch, during the 2013 Latakia offensive by rebel Islamist groups including Al-Nusra Front in early August, Salafi rebel forces led by Al-Nusra systematically killed at least 190 civilians in several Alawite villages.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/report/2013/10/10/you-can-still-see-their-blood/executions-indiscriminate-shootings-and-hostage|title="You Can Still See Their Blood" - Executions, Unlawful Killings, and Hostage Taking by Opposition Forces in Latakia Countryside|publisher=Human Rights Watch|date=11 October 2013}}</ref>
On 10 September 2013, Al-Nusra fighters attacked the Alawite village of Maksar Al-Hesan, in Homs province.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/12/syria-massacre-nusra-front_n_3912376.html|title=Syria Massacre? Nusra Front Fighters Reportedly Kill Women, Children, Elderly Men in Alawite Village|date=12 September 2013|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=27 October 2014}}</ref> Al-Nusra later admitted to the killing of 30 civilians overall in three Alawite villages, includes those in Maksar Al-Hesan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/2013/09/16/Syria-jihadists-claim-they-killed-Homs-Alawites.html|title=Syria jihadists claim they killed Homs Alawites|date=15 September 2013|access-date=27 October 2014}}</ref>
On 11 December 2013, the rebel Islamic Front and Al-Nusra Front groups<ref name=alawiteanddruze>{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/syria-crisis-adra-idINDEE9BB0AR20131212|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151230130119/http://in.reuters.com/article/syria-crisis-adra-idINDEE9BB0AR20131212|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 December 2015|title=Islamists kill 15 Alawite and Druze civilians in Syria -activists|newspaper=Reuters|date=12 December 2013|access-date=27 October 2014}}</ref> infiltrated the industrial area of the town of Adra, northeast of Damascus, attacking buildings housing workers and their families. The rebels targeted Alawites, Druze, Christians and Shiites, killing them on a sectarian basis. Some people were shot while others were beheaded.<ref name=pottsmerc>{{cite web|url=http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20131213/syrian-troops-launch-offensive-after-dozens-killed|title=Syrian troops launch offensive after dozens killed|date=13 December 2013|access-date=27 October 2014|archive-date=6 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006073025/http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20131213/syrian-troops-launch-offensive-after-dozens-killed|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On 10 June 2015, the Al-Nusra killed at least 20 Druze villagers in Qalb Lawzeh in Idlib province.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/activists-al-qaeda-affiliate-kills-20-members-of-minority-sect-in-syria/|title=Activists: Al Qaeda affiliate kills 20 members of minority sect in Syria|work=Fox News|date=11 June 2015 |access-date=29 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614112303/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/06/11/activists-al-qaida-nusra-front-kills-20-members-druze-sect-in-syria/|archive-date=14 June 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 12 May 2016, according to pro-government media, rebels led by Al-Nusra Front and Ahrar Al-Sham massacred 42 civilians and seven NDF militiamen while kidnapping up to 70 people after taking control of the Alawite village of Zara'a in Southern Hama.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-opposition-forces-massacre-kidnap-120-civilians-southern-hama/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512232243/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-opposition-forces-massacre-kidnap-120-civilians-southern-hama/|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 May 2016|title=Syrian opposition forces massacre, kidnap 120 civilians in southern Hama |author=Leith Fadel|work=Al Masdar News|date=12 May 2016|access-date=12 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/islamists-agree-hand-corpses-civilians-massacred-northern-homs/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525145744/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/islamists-agree-hand-corpses-civilians-massacred-northern-homs/|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 May 2016|title=Islamists agree to hand over corpses of civilians massacred in northern Homs|work=Al-Masdar News|date=24 May 2016|access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=October 2022}}
During the last days of the 17th Aleppo offensive in mid-December 2016, Al-Nusra Front arrested a media activist at a field hospital while he filmed the hospital operations. He was interrogated at Al-Nusra's headquarters before the evacuation. During the evacuation of rebels from Aleppo, Al-Nusra were the first to leave, along with prisoners whom they kidnapped.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.aleppo24.com/the-jabhat-fath-al-sham-were-among-the-first-to-leave-besieged-aleppo-and-the-fate-of-those-they-arrested-remain-unknown|title=The Jabhat Fath Al-Sham were among the first to leave besieged Aleppo and the fate of those they arrested remains unknown|work=Aleppo 24|date=17 December 2016|access-date=17 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221232658/http://en.aleppo24.com/the-jabhat-fath-al-sham-were-among-the-first-to-leave-besieged-aleppo-and-the-fate-of-those-they-arrested-remain-unknown|archive-date=21 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Designation as a terrorist organisation== Countries and organisations below have listed Al-Nusra Front as a terrorist organisation:
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- !Country !Date !References |- |{{flag|Iran}} |3 January 2012 |<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Jabhatal-Nusra.aspx |title=Jabhat al-Nusra | Australian National Security |publisher=Nationalsecurity.gov.au |access-date=18 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921063947/http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/Jabhatal-Nusra.aspx |archive-date=21 September 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- |{{flag|United States}} |10 December 2012 |<ref name="NYT10-12-12">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/11/world/middleeast/us-designates-syrian-al-nusra-front-as-terrorist-group.html?_r=0|title=U.S. Places Militant Syrian Rebel Group on List of Terrorist Organizations|work=The New York Times|date=10 December 2012|access-date=4 March 2015}}</ref> |- |{{flagicon|United Nations}} United Nations Security Council |May 2013 |<ref name=UNSC2013>{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2013/05/201353021594299298.html|title=UN blacklists Syria's al-Nusra Front|date=31 May 2013|access-date=2 September 2015|publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref><ref name="Hurri3-6-14"/> |- |{{flag|France}} | 30 May 2013 |<ref name="RF28-8-15">[http://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/11448_liste-unique-de-gels 'Liste unique de gels'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704043610/http://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/11448_liste-unique-de-gels |date=4 July 2017 }}. République Française, Trésor Direction Générale, Sanctions financières internationales. Published 28 August 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2015. (Click on 'liste consolidée de gel d'avoirs'; then click on 'liste unique':) "Nr. 314: Al-Nusrah Front. [translated:] Designated by the regulation (European Union) nr. 583/2014 of 28 May 2014. Previously, Al-Nusrah was inscribed on the list, between 30 May 2013 and 13 May 2014, in its quality of alias of Al-Qaida in Iraq. Category: terrorism. Rule: Resolution 1989."</ref> |- |{{flag|Australia}} |28 June 2013 |<ref name="ABC29-6-13">{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-29/australia-lists-syrian-group-as-terrorist-organisation/4789476|title=Australian Government lists anti-Assad Syrian group as terrorist organisation - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=29 June 2013|access-date=15 November 2013}}</ref> |- |{{flag|United Kingdom}} |19 July 2013 |<ref name=UK>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140714131716/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/324603/20140627-List_of_Proscribed_organisations_WEBSITE_final.pdf List of Proscribed organisations] UK government, 27 March 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2015. Page 6: "The Government laid an Order, in July 2013, which provided that the al-Nusrah Front (ANF) and Jabhat al-Nusrah li-ahl al Sham should be treated as alternative names for the organization which is already proscribed under the name Al Qa'ida."</ref><ref name=fox19Jul13>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/britain-bans-syrias-al-qaida-linked-nusra-front-on-terrorism-grounds/|title=Britain bans Syria's al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front on terrorism grounds|publisher=Fox News Channel|date=19 July 2013|access-date=15 November 2013}}</ref> |- |{{flag|Canada}} |7 November 2013 |<ref name=Canada>{{cite web|url=http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cntr-trrrsm/lstd-ntts/crrnt-lstd-ntts-eng.aspx |title=Public Safety Canada. Currently listed entities. |publisher=Publicsafety.gc.ca |date=20 November 2014 |access-date=3 September 2015}}</ref> |- |{{MYS}} |2013 |<ref>{{cite web |title=Government document |url=http://www.moha.gov.my/images/maklumat_bahagian/KK/kdndomestic.pdf |website=moha.gov.my |access-date=13 May 2023 |archive-date=9 October 2022 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.moha.gov.my/images/maklumat_bahagian/KK/kdndomestic.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- |{{flag|Saudi Arabia}} |7 March 2014 |<ref name=Saudi>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2014-03/08/c_133169759.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811163702/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2014-03/08/c_133169759.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 August 2014 |title=Saudi Arabia lists terrorist groups - Xinhua | English.news.cn |agency=Xinhua News Agency |date=8 March 2014 |access-date=18 August 2014}}</ref> |- |{{flag|New Zealand}} |14 May 2014 |<ref name="NZ, terr.">[http://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/publications/designated-entities-26-11-2014.pdf (List of) "Designated individuals and organisations" in New Zealand as "terrorist entities"]. police.govt.nz, (presumably) 26 November 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2015. See page 135: "associated with Al-Qaeda"; page 151: Al-Nusrah Front, "Listed on 14 May 2014".</ref> |- |{{flag|United Arab Emirates}} |19 May 2014 |<ref name=UAE>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-security-emirates-trial-idUSBREA4I0JH20140519 |title=UAE to try nine for recruiting militants to fight in Syria: agency |work=Reuters |date=19 May 2014 |access-date=18 August 2014}}</ref> |- |{{flag|Turkey}} |2 June 2014 |<ref name="Hurri3-6-14">{{cite news|title=Turkey lists al-Nusra Front as terrorist organization|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-lists-al-nusra-front-as-terrorist-organization.aspx?pageID=238&nid=67322|access-date=3 September 2015|newspaper=Hürriyet Daily News|date=3 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Dorian Jones |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/turkey-designates-al-nusra-front-as-a-terrorist-organization/1929675.html |title=Turkey Designates Al-Nusra Front as a Terrorist Organization |publisher=Voice of America |date=4 June 2014 |access-date=18 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151014190403/http://www.voanews.com/content/turkey-designates-al-nusra-front-as-a-terrorist-organization/1929675.html |archive-date=14 October 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |{{flag|Russia}} |29 December 2014 |<ref name="Russian News Agency TASS">{{cite web|url=http://tass.ru/en/world/769912|title=Russia calls on all states to put Islamic State, Jabhat al-Nusra on terrorist lists|publisher=Russian News Agency "TASS"|access-date=29 December 2014|archive-date=29 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529034500/http://tass.ru/en/world/769912|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.alalam.ir/news/1607509 |title=Russia seeks UN ban on oil trade with terrorists in Syria |publisher=En.alalam.ir |date=2 July 2014 |access-date=18 August 2014}}</ref> |- |{{JPN}} | |<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.moj.go.jp/psia/ITH/organizations/ME_N-africa/nusra_front.html|title=ヌスラ戦線（現「タハリール・アル・シャーム機構」〈HTS〉） | 国際テロリズム要覧（Web版） | 公安調査庁|website=www.moj.go.jp|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20150926083250/http://www.moj.go.jp/psia/ITH/organizations/ME_N-africa/nusra_front.html|archive-date=2015-09-26}}</ref> |- |{{BHR}} | |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mofa.gov.bh/Default.aspx?tabid=12342&language=en-US|title=Bahrain Terrorist List (individuals – entities)|website=www.mofa.gov.bh}}</ref> |- |{{KGZ}} | |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://24.kg/english/48835_List_of_terrorist_and_extremist_organizations_banned_in_Kyrgyzstan_/|title=List of terrorist and extremist organizations banned in Kyrgyzstan|first=Tatyana|last=KUDRYAVTSEVA|date=5 April 2017|website=24.kg}}</ref> |- |{{KAZ}} | |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://egov.kz/cms/en/articles/religion/zaprewennye_ordanizacii |title=The list of prohibited foreign organizations in Kazakhstan | Electronic government of the Republic of Kazakhstan |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930095131/https://egov.kz/cms/en/articles/religion/zaprewennye_ordanizacii |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- |{{TJK}} | |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nbt.tj/en/financial_monitoring/perechni.php|title=The list of terrorists and extremists|website=nbt.tj|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20161018210551/https://nbt.tj/en/financial_monitoring/perechni.php|archive-date=2016-10-18}}</ref> |- |{{flag|Ba'athist Syria}} | |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-nusra-syria-20161005-snap-story.html|title=Al Qaeda-founded rebel group's growth underscores U.S. challenges in Syria|date=6 October 2016|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> |- |{{KWT}} | |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20160107-5-kuwaitis-acquitted-of-funding-daesh-al-nusra-front/|title=5 Kuwaitis acquitted of funding Daesh, Al-Nusra Front|date=7 January 2016|website=Middle East Monitor}}</ref> |- |{{LBN}} | |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youm7.com/story/2019/6/24/إحالة-19-إرهابيا-من-داعش-وجبهة-النصرة-إلى-المحكمة-العسكرية/4301563|title=إحالة 19 إرهابيا من داعش وجبهة النصرة إلى المحكمة العسكرية اللبنانية|date=24 June 2019|website=اليوم السابع}}</ref> |- |{{IRQ}} | |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://glgamesh.com/140742--.html|title=القضاء العراقي ينشر اعترافات قيادي في النصرة :شيخ قطري مدّ فصيل ارهابي بمليون دولار شهريا|website=كلكامش برس|access-date=24 August 2020|archive-date=26 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126110833/https://glgamesh.com/140742--.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> |}
==Relations with Israel== Circa 2014, Israel received information about an infiltration attack that Al-Nusra Front militants were planning from the Syrian side of the Golan Heights to one of the kibbutzim inside the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. The information made it possible to thwart the attack, which was supposed to kill Israelis. Reportedly, Ahmed al-Sharaa himself approved of the attack.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/magazine/hashavua/article/17036834|title=מה השתנה: כשמנהיג המורדים בסוריה תכנן פיגוע בישראל|date=26 December 2024|publisher=Israel Hayom}}</ref>
In January 2015, A Syrian activist quoted Al-Monitor claimed that "the battle to capture Quneitra on Sept. 27 was preceded by coordination and communications between Abu Dardaa, a leader of Jabhat Al-Nusra, and the Israeli army to pave the way for the attack. And according to an FSA commander who partly participated in this battle, the Israeli army provided Abu Dardaa with maps of the border area and the Syrian army’s strategic posts in the southern area". He added that the rebels’ battle, led by Jabhat Al-Nusra, to control the Quneitra crossing took place in coordination with the Israeli army through Abu Dardaa and that during the clashes, the Israelis heavily bombarded many of the regime’s posts, shot down a warplane that was trying to impede the progress of the fighters and targeted other aircraft. Another Syrian opposition activist told Al-Monitor that the Israeli support in the battle of Tal Al-Hara was at a high level, and the Israeli army was the mastermind of this battle in terms of plans, tactics and follow-up. The communication devices released precise instructions in Arabic about what should be done by the fighters, moment by moment. An SAA general told Al-Monitor that Israel is not only supporting the rebels militarily and logistically and treating their wounds, but is also training them in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, and that they have filed a complaint about this training camp to the head of UNDOF and threatened to target it, yet the observers have no responded and the camp is still there.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2015/01/syria-opposition-daraa-israel-communication-nusra.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615123210/https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2015/01/syria-opposition-daraa-israel-communication-nusra.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 June 2021|title=Are Israel, Jabhat al-Nusra coordinating on attacks in Syria?|date=14 January 2015|publisher=Al-Monitor}}</ref>
In July 2015, Israel claimed that following a policy change regarding members of Al-Nusra Front that came about six weeks ago, it ceased treating wounded fighters of Al-Nusra Front in Israeli hospitals. An unnamed Israeli officer told Haaretz the injured Al-Nusra militants "infiltrated" into Israel to receive the medical care and that the Israeli army's background checks had not been comprehensive enough to properly check their identity. The IDF's decision to no longer treat these Al-Nusra fighters came a month after a Druze mob attacked an ambulance transporting wounded Syrian rebels, killing one of the injured in the process. Five members of the Druze community were later arrested for the lynching.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/diplomacy-defense/79128-150721-israel-limits-medical-treatment-for-syria-s-nusra-front-fighters|title=Israel limits medical treatment for Syria's Nusra Front fighters|date=21 July 2015|publisher=i24NEWS}}</ref> However, on an interview which was conducted on 19 June 2017, Fursan Al-Joulan leader, Abu Muhammad, claimed that Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham wounded militants were receiving treatment in Israel. This however does not prove that it is a matter of Israeli policy to provide treatment for Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham members.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aymennjawad.org/20017/israel-relations-with-the-syrian-rebels|title=Israel's Relations with the Syrian Rebels: An Assessment|date=3 July 2017|publisher=Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi}}</ref>
It is believed that on 4 August 2018, the Israeli Mossad assassinated the Syrian scientist, Aziz Azbar, with the assistance of Abu Amara Brigades, which is a faction within Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham.
==See also== {{Portal|Asia}} * List of armed groups in the Syrian Civil War * List of terrorist incidents in Syria * List of terrorist attacks in Damascus
== Notes == {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist|refs= <ref name=StLPostD2017-04-09> {{cite news | url = http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/defense-lawyers-in-overseas-terror-funding-case-hope-to-prove/article_8ac3cdd6-e341-5db2-9be3-7f4ee03c0cc2.html | title = funding case hope to prove St. Louis man was 'lawful combatant' | work = St Louis Post-Dispatch | author = Robert Patrick | date = 9 April 2017 | quote = Seamus Hughes, deputy director of George Washington University's Program on Extremism, has researched Pazara's activities and called the defense motion "a very novel but uphill battle." }} </ref> }}
==Further reading== * [https://timep.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Combating-al-Qaeda-in-Syria.pdf Combating Al-Qaeda in Syria: A Strategy for the Next Administration] * [http://www.longwarjournal.org/tags/al-nusrah-front Al Nusrah Front | FDD's Long War Journal] * [http://www.longwarjournal.org/tags/sanafi-al-nasr Sanafi al Nasr | FDD's Long War Journal]
==External links== * [http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/12/al-qaeda-leader-syria-speaks-al-jazeera-20131218155917935989.html First ever broadcast interview with Ahmed Al-Sharaa]
{{Syrian Civil War}} {{War on Terrorism}} {{Tahrir al-Sham}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Al-Nusra Front Category:2011 establishments in Syria Category:Al-Qaeda allied groups Category:Anti-American sentiment in the Middle East Category:Anti-Assad factions of the Syrian civil war Category:Anti-ISIL factions in Syria Category:Anti-Israeli sentiment in Syria Category:Anti-Shi'ism Category:Islam-related controversies Category:Islamic terrorism in Syria Category:Organisations designated as terrorist by Australia Category:Organisations designated as terrorist by Iran Category:Organisations designated as terrorist by Japan Category:Organizations based in Asia designated as terrorist Category:Organizations designated as terrorist by Bahrain Category:Organizations designated as terrorist by Iraq Category:Organisations designated as terrorist by Malaysia Category:Organizations designated as terrorist by Russia Category:Organizations designated as terrorist by Saudi Arabia Category:Organizations designated as terrorist by Syria Category:Organizations designated as terrorist by the United Arab Emirates Category:Organizations designated as terrorist by the United States Category:Organizations designated as terrorist by Turkey Category:Qutbist organisations Category:Salafi Jihadist groups Category:Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham Category:Turkish involvement in the Syrian civil war Category:Wahhabi militant groups