The Al Qaeda international terrorist organization has announced the formation of a new branch in India.
‘Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent’ was announced by leader Ayman al-Zawahiri Wednesday in a 55-minute video posted online. During the video al-Zawahiri also renewed a vow of loyalty to Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar.
The move was seen as a slap to the Islamic State terror organization, headed by Abu Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who has set himself up as a so-called “caliph” and is demanding the loyalty of all Muslims worldwide.
The Islamic State’s efforts at ethnic cleansing (ie: the Yazidis in Iraq), numerous beheadings, crucifixions and mass executions were condemned by Al Qaeda in 2013. The two groups have since competed for followers.
‘Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent’ was touted as a message of ‘glad tidings’ for Muslims “in Burma, Bangladesh, Assam, Gujurat, Ahmedabad and Kashmir.” Al-Zawahiri said the new terror group would rescue Muslims in those areas from injustice and oppression.