Al-Qaeda has severed its link with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) – a militant group fighting in Syria.<br /><br /> An online message, purportedly from al-Qaeda’s general command, said the group “does not have an organisational relationship with” ISIL and “is not responsible” for ISIL’s actions.<br /><br /> The move is being seen as an attempt to refocus the Islamist effort towards overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad.<br /><br /> Infighting between Syria’s rebel groups has been escalating. ISIL has fought battles with other Islamist insurgents and secular rebel groups – often triggered by disputes over territory.
