An online statement by Al Qaeda has said that the militant group Islamic State in Iraq and Sham (ISIS) was not a branch of Al Qaeda.
ISIS has been involved in heavy battles with other Syrian opposition groups, who are also fighting Assad’s troops.
"[Al-Qaeda] has no connection with the group called the ISIS, as it was not informed or consulted about its establishment. It was not pleased with it and thus ordered its suspension. Therefore, it is not affiliated with al-Qaeda and has no organisational relationship with it,” a statement attributed to Al Qaeda said.
"Al-Qaeda is not responsible for ISIS's actions," it added.