ISIL says never rejected reconciliation with rebels but asked questions prior to any agreement

The Islamic State of Iraq and The Levant (ISIL) said never rejected the proposal of the Saudi preacher Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Moheisini for reconciliation, The Victorious Party In the Land of Ash-Sham, jihadist group, said in a statement posted online.

 The statement came as a response to a new video statement by Sheikh Abu Abdullah Al Hamawi (Hassan Abboud), leader of Ahrar Al Sham and the political head of Islamic Front over the “Umma Initiative” for reconciliation which has been dismissed by ISIL on Monday.

The ISIL never rejected Sheikh al-Muhaysni's proposal but asked to questions prior to any agreement, the statement said.

Al-Qaeda-linked group described the Supreme Military Council (SMC) and the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) as apostates, “as they are working with the enemies of Islam and taking directives from them. So, their ruling towards them will be different then someone who views them as Muslims,” the statement said.

According to Al Hamawi’s statement, ISIL said that he made some good points but two main points he didn't mention that all ISIL HQ's were first attacked in Idlib and Aleppo at once instead he blamed ISIL for the infighting. “He made it seem as all fighting was between Ahrar and ISIL,” the statement added.

ISIL  effectively condemned insurgent factions for working with foreign governments and their intelligence services, asking for “the lawful manner” of dealing with the opposition factions.

The Umma Initiative was launched by al-Moheisini last Thursday. It called for an “immediate ceasefire in all parts of Syria” with agreement from “all groups present in the Syrian arena.”

Nearly 1,400 people have been killed in Syria since clashes between rebel forces and the jihadist (ISIL) erupted this month, AFP reported.

“The number of people killed in fighting between the ISIL and rebel forces since January 3 has risen to 1,395,” the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Clashes between rebels and jihadists from ISIL erupted early in January after months of rising tensions.

According to AFP, the all-out fight has seen ISIL lose territory in Idlib and Aleppo provinces, but it has consolidated its hold over Raqa city, the only provincial capital to fall from regime control.