Syrian jihadist group denies al-Qaida link

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ALEPPO, Syria, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Jihadist organization al-Nusra, which has stepped onto the front lines of the conflict in Syria, has no affiliation to al-Qaida, the group's commander said.

The once-shadowy group now has a strong presence on the streets of Aleppo, where rebels are in a battle with the Syrian army for control of the country's commercial capital, The Washington Post reported Sunday.

Aaron Y. Zelin, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy said al-Nusra is the only Syrian rebel army to post on a Web forum used by al-Qaida chief Ayman al-Zawahiri. It suggests a link between the two organizations and gives al-Nusra credibility among jihadists, he said.

"This is the premier jihadi organization in Syria right now," Zelin said.

Al-Nusra commander Abu Ibrahim denied any affiliation to al-Qaida and said while his jihadist group does receive funding, he's not sure where it comes from, the Post reported. Ibrahim said he has about 300 men from Morocco, Libya, Tunisia and Lebanon under his control.

The jihadist group's possible al-Qaida link and growing visibility on Syrian streets is one reason the United States has been reluctant to arm Syrian rebels even while supporting the overthrow of President Bashar Assad, the Post reported.