Al-Qaeda-ISIS rift deepens amid bitter online clashes

KABUL – Tensions between al-Qaeda and the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) have become increasingly visible in their bitter feuding on social media.

These online confrontations underscore the two groups' growing ideological rift.

Al-Qaeda objects to ISIS's efforts to establish a "caliphate," while ISIS denounces al-Qaeda for its ties to Iran and its perceived alignment with Shia Muslims. The terrorist groups' interpretations of Salafi "jihadism" differ.

Besides parting ways on ideology, each group is trying to attract new recruits amid fears that supporters may switch sides. They also want to secure funding and are vying for dominance online.

Al-Qaeda and ISIS accuse one another of misconduct, though each is guilty of similar acts.

Enduring animosity

The hostility between al-Qaeda and ISIS dates back to the early years of ISIS. In 2015, Ayman al-Zawahiri, then leader of al-Qaeda, condemned ISIS founder Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as a "leader of sedition."

Al-Zawahiri was killed by a US strike in Kabul in 2022, while al-Baghdadi was killed in a US military operation in Syria in 2019.

After the death in Syria of then-ISIS leader Abu al-Hussein al-Qurashi in April 2023, ISIS accused al-Qaeda of involvement in his killing.

Throughout the past decade, al-Qaeda and ISIS have clashed in Syria, Yemen and several African countries.

These battles, along with the deaths of key leaders in US military operations, have weakened both groups and cost them much of their influence and territory.

Their ceaseless confrontation has undermined their efforts to recruit and raise money on social media.

The online bickering represents attempts by the groups to justify their actions and to regain their disgruntled followers' support, said Shamsullah Nazari, a retired Afghan National Army colonel in Kabul.

"Al-Qaeda and ISIS have never been friends and have always been at war with each other," he told Salaam Times. "Although their 'jihadist' ideologies are similar, they cannot stand each other."

"Most [former] supporters of al-Qaeda and ISIS have turned away from these terrorist groups," he said. "Their behavior is neither Islamic nor humane, which is why both groups have been left almost isolated."

Global pressure

Both al-Qaeda and ISIS have shrunk and lack foot soldiers and money, said Hamza Baloch, a military analyst in Nimroz province.

They are trying various methods to gain an advantage; however, under "global military pressure and amid the disappointment of many supporters, these efforts have so far been in vain," he said.

The US Central Command's Department of Defense Rewards Program offers cash rewards to individuals who provide verifiable and valuable information on terror group leaders and operations.

As of March, the program has paid out over $26.4 million in rewards.

Tips can be submitted securely on the program's website, via WhatsApp +1 (201) 2124916 or on Telegram:dodrewardsprogram_bot.