Jul 21, 2014

A new message by the leader of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has revealed signs of a rift within the organization regarding issues related to the organization of “the basis of jihad.” The organization issued two contradictory statements about the Islamic State (IS). One statement was issued by the emir of the group, Abu Musab Wadud, and the second by Sheikh Abu Abdullah Osman al-Assimi, who is believed to be the group’s judge.

The contradictory statements were issued over the course of a week. While one statement pledged allegiance to Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi — following his July 5 speech — and criticized the stance of al-Qaeda Leader Ayman al-Zawahri, the other one denied any allegiance for IS and stated a renewed loyalty to Zawahri.

It remains unclear whether this disparity in positions is the result of a rift within AQIM about which organization is worth allegiance, the Islamic State or al-Qaeda. Following the proclamation of an Islamic caliphate headed by Baghdadi nearly a month ago, AQIM has issued a statement pledging allegiance to IS. Al-Qaeda’s judge addressed IS fighters saying, “We would like to build bridges of friendship between you and us. You are loved by us more than our families and clans and you shall always have our support.”

This statement was made by Assimi in an audio recording. It is believed that he hails from Algiers and has been newly appointed to his position, knowing that the head of the judicial committee in the organization was arrested two years ago in Ghardaia, south of the [Algerian] capital.

However, the organization has contradicted itself by criticizing IS for “not consulting with jihadist leaders” as to the proclamation of the Islamic caliphate on the lands it had seized in Syria and through its rapid progress in parts of Iraq.