While the group was already mostly fighting on the same side as al-Qaeda in the first place, the Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar today announced it is formally pledging allegiance to al-Qaeda’s local affiliate, Jabhat al-Nusra, in Syria.
The Muhajireen consists of around 1,500 fighters, and historically has been a primary route for Chechens and other fighters from the former Soviet Union to enter the Syrian Civil War. The group’s main power bases are in Aleppo and Latakia, which are two areas in which al-Qaeda is attempting to expand.
The Muhajireen had previously been reported to be fighting alongside ISIS in Aleppo, and this could shift the balance of power in the area around the Turkish border, where the two sides are in direct competition for important towns.
The group was founded by Abu Omar al-Shishani, a Chechen who had fought against Russia in the Chechnya wars and the Russo-Georgian War. The group’s leadership remains largely foreign, and al-Qaeda estimated in their own statement that the Muhajireen was 30% foreign fighters at this point.
Ah the Chechens! I wondered how long it would be before they popped up! For all the brutality he used against them, Putin hasn't killed the natural Chechen desire for independence from their Russian colonial masters. I wouldn't be surprised if ISIS responds to Putin's intervention by by acts of terrorism in Russia: the Caucasus, naturally, but also the big cities of the European heartland and Crimea, on behalf of the Crimean Tatars, who loathe the Russians and are now organising themselves politically. We live in interesting times!
They have popped up some time ago, end of last year IIRC. Pay attention!