Syrian Nusra Front announces split from al-Qaeda

SYRIAN jihadist group Jabhat al-Nusra, also known as the al-Nusra Front, has announced it has split from al-Qaeda.
Leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani, in his first recorded message, said its new name would be Jabhat Fath al-Sham (Front for the Conquest of Syria).
It is understood the group hopes to form closer alliances with other Islamist groups fighting in Syria.
Al-Qaeda’s second-in-command has previously given the group’s backing to the move.
In the recording aired by al-Jazeera’s Arabic news channel, Mr al-Julani thanked the “commanders of al-Qaeda for having understood the need to break ties”.
Analysts say al-Nusra Front decided to rebrand itself after the US and Russia stepped up their military efforts against the group.