In consolidating control of much of Idlib Province, it has eliminated or absorbed rival groups, and is modernising its propaganda on the web-savvy model of the Islamic State. AFFILIATE"ISIS may be today's preeminent terrorist threat, but Al-Qaeda in Syria is worrisome. Family members, first responders and others attend a commemoration ceremony for the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks at the National September 11 Memorial, September 11, 2017 in New York City. SUPPORTHe called Al-Qaeda a "much stronger" organisation than in 2010, when its weakness gave way to the rise of Islamic State. While current leader Ayman al-Zawahiri is turgid and uninspiring, the younger leaders in Idlib are learning from the way that Islamic State mastered the use of social media to attract followers.

Source: Daily Nation September 12, 2017 06:45 UTC