DHAKA: Al Qaeda’s Syrian offshoot on Wednesday made an oath of loyalty to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant at a key town on the Iraqi border.

A monitor said, reports Hindustan Times.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the merger is significant because it opens the way for ISIS to take control of both sides of the border at Albu Kamal in Syria and Al-Qaim in Iraq, where the jihadist group has led a major offensive this month. 

After months of fighting ISIS, al Qaeda's official Syrian arm the Al-Nusra Front ‘pledged loyalty to ISIS’ in Albu Kamal, said Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman.

‘The pledge comes amid advances by ISIS in Deir Ezzor province’ in eastern Syria on the Iraqi border, Abdel Rahman told media.

Although both ISIS and the Al-Nusra Front are rooted in al Qaeda, the two have been rivals for much of the time that ISIS has been involved in Syria's civil war since spring last year.

‘They are rivals, but both groups are jihadist and extremists. This move will create tension now with other rebel groups, including Islamists, in the area,’ said Abdel Rahman.

BDST: 2122 HRS, JUNE 25, 2014