Daesh in Talks with Al-Qaeda

He said: “The discussion has started now… There are discussions and dialogue between messengers representing Baghdadi and representing Zawahiri,” but it is currently unclear how exactly the two groups may operate together.

Al-Qaeda disaffiliated with Daesh 3 years ago, saying the group was no longer responsible for its actions, and since then, the rivals are competing for recruits, funding and the laurels of global jihad.

Although Daesh has been pushed out of the part of Mosul east of the Tigris River, it still controls the towns of Qaim, Hawija and Tal Afar in Iraq, as well as its de facto capital in Syria, Raqqa.

Even if Daesh loses all its territory in Iraq, it won't automatically cease to exist, the Iraqi VP said and added: “I can’t see Daesh disappearing into thin air. They will remain covertly in sleeping cells, spreading their venom all over the world.”