IS challenging al-Qaeda for jihadist supremacy

The Islamic State (IS) group appears to be gaining the upper hand in the battle for global jihadist leadership, with international militant organisations increasingly rethinking their allegiance to al-Qaeda

JIHADIST AREAS OF OPERATIONS
Al-Qaeda-linked
IS-linked

Nigeria
Yemen
Somalia
Pakistan
Libya
Egypt
Mali
Niger
Chad
Iraq
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Kashmir
Myanmar
India
Indonesia
Philippines
Russia
Syria
Tunisia
Algeria

Islamic State: Group reportedlyforming alliance with Nusra Front –Syrian offshoot of al-Qaeda – to fightattacks by U.S. and its allies

Caucasus Emirate: Islamistnetwork with ties to al-Qaeda, butmany former members fight with IS 

Ansar Bait al-Maqdis: Active inSinai, with growing links to IS 

Ansar al-Sharia: Branches in Libya and Tunisia expressingallegiance to IS

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb(AQIM) and affiliates: Algeria-based Jund al-Khalifa has broken awayfrom main North African jihadist organisation to unite with IS

Al-Shabaab: Recent U.S. killing ofleader could prompt group to join IS

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Boko Haram Linkedto AQIM

Al-Qaedain the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP): Has announced “solidarity” with IS fighters

Taliban: Pakistani branch pledgingsupport for IS and urging all Islamiststo unite to repel Western attacks

Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS): New branchseeks to assert Muslim rule in region

Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid Successor to Jemaah Islamiyah –group linked to 2002 Bali bombings

Abu Sayyaf: Formerly al-Qaeda-aligned, now loyal to IS 

Sources: Stratfor, wire agencies