Syrian Rebel Groups Disagree To Merge Their Forces Together

A Nusra Front fighter walks with his weapon inside a building in the Sheikh Maksoud neighbourhood of Aleppo, Syria August 3, 2015. REUTERS/ABDALRHMAN ISMAIL

Reuters: Syrian rebel splits deepen after failed 'merger' with al Qaeda arm

The leader of al Qaeda's Syrian wing tried unsuccessfully at a recent meeting to convince rival Islamist factions to merge into one unit, several insurgency sources have told Reuters.

Abu Mohamad al-Golani, head of the Nusra Front, even suggested he was willing to change the name of his group if the others, including the powerful Ahrar al-Sham organization, agreed to the deal, the sources said.

But he made clear that Nusra would not cut its ties with al Qaeda, and its allegiance would remain to Ayman al-Zawahri, who took over as leader after U.S. Navy SEALS killed Osama bin Laden in 2011.

Much was riding on the outcome of the meeting, which the sources said took place about 10 days ago.

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WNU Editor: This just plays in the hands of Syrian President Assad and his allies. Unfortunately .... this lack of unity on the rebel side means that any future peace agreement will be impossible to enforce and/or respect .... there are just too many factions with their own agendas at play right now.