Al-Qaida accuse insurgent group of betraying Islam

An al-Qaida front group today lashed out at a key nationalist Sunni Muslim insurgent faction in a rare criticism of a fellow rebel group, accusing it of betraying religion by joining the US forces in their fight against al-Qaida.

In a statement posted on at least two Islamic web forums used by Iraqi insurgents, the Islamic State of Iraq, an umbrella groups of insurgent factions dominated by al-Qaida, called on members of the 1920 Revolution Brigades to repent during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

"We call on the leaders and wise men of the (1920 Revolution) Brigades to reconsider where this path will lead them and, swearing to God, we tell them that you have betrayed your religion and the pure blood of your martyrs," the statement said.

Over the past few months, US commanders in Iraq have reported increased cooperation with their former adversaries in the 1920 Brigades in fighting al-Qaida.

In their statement, the Islamic State of Iraq said they wanted to "point out to the nation the truth behind the dangerous deviation (from the path of jihad) of the 1920 Revolution Brigades after we kept silent for so long in hopes they would repent."

"However, we tell you (Brigades members) that the door of repentance is still open especially in this blessed month … and to stop aiding the occupying crusaders or their miserable projects," it said.

Several large Iraqi Sunni insurgent groups, angered by al-Qaida attempts to impose their hard-line version of Islam and repeated attacks on civilians have publicly denounced the extremist organisation and formed alliances to fight it.

The 1920 Revolution Brigades, has begun overtly co-operating and fighting with US forces and Sunni tribes against al-Qaida and are also helping the Americans track down members of the terror movement.

The statement said that the Brigades had fought alongside the Americans west of Baghdad in the Abu Ghraib area, while one of its splinter groups, Iraqi Hamas, and helped US forces in the north-eastern Diyala province.

The Brigades, which are believed to include many Saddam Hussein loyalists, were also accused of co-operating with the Anbar Salvation Council, a coalition of Sunni tribal forces fighting al-Qaida, and staffing the police force in Fallujah.

The unusually critical statement reflected the growing rift between al-Qaida and the nationalist groups fighting the US-backed government in Baghdad.

The national groups are believed to be mainly made up of Iraqis - including Islamic militants and former members of Saddam Hussein's ousted Baath Party while al-Qaida in Iraq is mainly led by non-Iraqi Arab militants.