Ayman al-Zawahiri letter to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and Abu Mohammed al-Jolani
Translation of al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri’s letter to the leaders of the two Jihadi groups:
Dear brother / Sheikh Abou Bakr al-Baghdadi al-Huseini and his brothers in the Shura of the Islamic State in Iraq; May Allah protect them.
Dear brother / Sheikh Abou Mohamed al-Joulani and his brothers in the Shura of Jabhat al-Nusra in al-Sham; May Allah protect them.
Peace and blessings be upon you and those around you, may Allah join us upon what He likes and chooses of worldly bounties and triumph in the hereafter.
1: The proponents of Jihad were all dismayed by the dispute that occurred on the media between our beloved brothers in the Islamic State of Iraq and Jabhat al-Nusra in al-Sham.
2: We have neither been asked for authorisation or advice, nor have we been notified of what had occurred between both sides. Regrettably, we have heard the news from the media.
3: At the outset, there is a reminder of the role played by the Islamic State in Iraq in countering external influences and conflicts in the region, along with their involvement in supporting operations in conflict zones.
The letter also mentions cooperation and support between different groups in the region, including leadership figures such as Sheikh Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and Sheikh Abu Mohamed al-Joulani.
4: The document also highlights the role of Jabhat al-Nusra in the region, including their activities and influence in local conflicts, as well as their acknowledgment of support from allied groups.
5: When the dispute emerged between the two groups, an attempt was made to resolve the issue by sending a message dated 1st Jumada in 1434, calling for a pause in disagreements and seeking reconciliation.
6: I received messages from both sides and from other sides. Accordingly, after holding consultations with my brothers in Khurasan and outside of it, after asking Allah for guidance, and for support to make me capable of putting out the fire of sedition and dispute between the two sides, I resolved the issue, by the help of the Almighty, as follows:
a- Sheikh Abou Bakr al-Baghdadi was wrong when he announced the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant without asking permission or receiving advice from us and even without notifying us.
b- Sheikh Abu Mohamed al-Joulani was wrong by announcing his rejection to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, and by showing his links to al-Qaeda without having our permission or advice, even without notifying us.
c- The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant is to be dissolved, while Islamic State in Iraq is to continue its work.
d- Jabhat al-Nusra, is an independent entity for Qaedat al-Jihad group, under the (al-Qaeda) general command.
e- The seat of the Islamic State in Iraq is in Iraq.
f- The seat of Jabhat al-Nusra for the people of al-Sham, is in Syria.
g- Sheikh Abou Bakr al-Baghdadi has been approved as the Emir for the Islamic State in Iraq for one year, as of the date of this ruling. The Islamic State in Iraq Shura (council) would then submit a report to the general command for Qaedat al-Jihad group about the progress of work. The general command would then decide whether to extend the mandate for Sheikh Abou Bakr al-Baghdadi as Emir, or appoint a new Emir.
h- Sheikh Abou Mohamed al-Joulani has been approved as the Emir for Jabhat al-Nusra for the people of al-Sham for one year as of the date of this ruling after which Jabhat al-Nusra Shura council submits a report to the general command of Qaedat al-Jihad about the progress of work. The general command would then decide extending the mandate for Sheikh Abi Mohamed as Emir, or appointing a new Emir.
i- The Islamic State in Iraq would supply, as far as it could, to Jabhat al-Nusra for the people of al-Sham, what they need of fighters, arms, money shelter and security.
j- Jabhat al-Nusrah for al-Sham would supply to the Islamic State in Iraq, as far as it could, what it needs of fighters, arms, money, shelter and security.
k- The two sides would cease any attack, by words or by deeds, against the other side.
l- The two sides and all the Mujahidin, would respect the sanctity of Muslim blood, honur and
property. No one of them would attack a Muslim or a Mujahid, unless a judicial ruling was
issued, as detailed below:m- Muslim blood is a off-limits for other Muslims. Whoever changes sides from one Jihadi group
to another, is not an apostate, instead, he enjoys the protection accorded to other Muslims and
the Mujahidin, even if he was wrong in changing sides.n- Whoever sheds the blood of his Muslim brothers and the Mujahidin, the group would take a
tough stand against him as based on the principle of “defending virtue and preventing vice”.o- Sheikh Abou Khalid al-Soury, is the best of men we had known among the Mujahidin, so we
have chosen him as our delegate in al-Sham as regards the following issues:Firstly: Any dispute arising from the interpretation of this ruling would be resolved by him.
Secondly: In case any side attacked the other side, I hereby authorize him to set up a Sharia
justice court for giving a ruling on the case.p- I hereby obligate all my brothers in Qaedat al-Jihad group, and I call upon all my Muslim
brothers and the Mujahidin, to stop arguing over this dispute and to stop sedition among the
Mujahidin and to seek harmony and unity, along with winning hearts and uniting ranks among
Muslims and the Mujahidin.
They should recognise the good deeds of the two Jihadi groups and to mention only their good
deeds.
7- Copy of this ruling would be handed over to :
- a- The Islamic State in Iraq
- b- Jabhat al-Nusra for the people of L-Sham
- c- Sheikh Abou Khalid al-Soury.
(I wanted reform to the best of my ability, but will only succeed by the will of Allah, I would rely
on Him and resort to Him)
Your brother,
Ayman al-Zawahiri
Rajab, 13, 1434
Arabic Version:
