Jabhat Al-Nusra Leader Abu Muhammad Al-Joulani Establishes "Jabhat Fath Al-Sham"

On July 28, 2016, a video recording of Jabhat Al-Nusra leader Abu Muhammad Al-Joulani was released on the Internet and aired on Al-Jazeera TV. In the video, Al-Joulani declared that his group has severed ties with Al-Qaeda and changed its name to Jabhat Fath Al-Sham (JFS). In the video, Al-Joulani who thanked Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri and expressed appreciation for Al-Qaeda's understanding of his decision, said: "We declare that we are no longer operating under the name Jabhat Al-Nusra, and announce the formation of a new group operating under the name Jabhat Fath Al-Sham."

Sheikh Abu Muhammad Al-Joulani: "In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon His Messenger, Muhammad, his family and his companions; as for what is to follow. To my fellow Muslims everywhere, to the honorable people of Syria Assalam alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

"We would like to thank our brothers, the commanders of Al-Qaeda in general, Dr. Sheikh Ayman Al-Zawahiri and his vice Sheikh Ahmad Hasan, Abu Al-Khayr especially, may Allah protect them. We thank them for their stance, whereby they gave priority to the interests of the people of Al-Sham, their Jihad, their revolution as well as their proper assessment of the general benefits the jihad. This noble stance will be recorded in the annals of history. Their blessed leadership has, and shall continue to be, an example of putting the needs of the community and their higher interests before the interest of any individual group. They have practically implemented the words of Sheikh Osama bin Laden (may Allah have mercy on him) when he said: 'The interests of the Ummah take precedence over the interest of any state, the interests of the state take precedence over the interest of any Jama'ah (group); the interests of the Jama'ah (group) take precedence over any individual.'

"We, of the central command of Jabhat Al-Nusra, in accordance with the general guidelines and directives of the aforementioned leadership, our obligations in serving the people of Al-Sham and their Jihad, lightening the weight upon the shoulders of the people, without compromising or sacrificing our solid beliefs, or laxity in the necessity of the continuity of the Jihad of Al-Sham, which we will continue protecting, using all Islamically legitimate means which assist in the attainment of these objectives or ends in the achievement of these lofty goals as we strive to bridge the gaps between the groups of Mujahidden and ourselves, we hope to form a unified body, whose basis is Al-Shura, uniting the masses of the people Al-Sham, we hope to form a unified body, whose basis is Al-Shura, uniting the masses of the people of Al-Sham, liberating their lands, giving victory to their faith and upholding their testimony of the faith... fulfilling the requests of the people of Al-Sham to expose the deceptions of the international community, the leaders being the U.S. and Russia in their relentless bombardment and displacement of the Muslim masses of Al-Sham under the pretense of targeting Jabhat Al-Nusra, an Al-Qaeda affiliate.

"For the aforementioned reasons, we declare the complete cancellation of all operations under the name of Jabhat Al-Nusra, and the formation of a new group operating under the name 'Jabhat Fath Al-Sham' noting that this new organization has no affiliation to any external entity. This new organization aims to fulfill the following:

"1- Work toward establishing the religion of Allah (swt), having His shari'ah (Law) as legislation, establish justice amongst all people.

"2- Strike toward unity with all groups, in order to unify the ranks of the Mujahideen and liberate the land of Al-Sham from the rule of the tyrant [Bashar] and his allies. Allah (swt) said 'And hold onto the rope of Allah all of you together and do not be disunited.'

"3- Protect the Jihad of Al-Sham and assure its continuity, utilizing all Islamically legitimate means to do so.

"4- Strive to serve the Muslims, attending to their daily needs and ease their hardship in every possible way.

"5- Ensure security, stability and an honorable life for the general masses.

"All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all. Your brother, Abu Muhammad Al-Joulani."