Iraqi Vice President Ayad Allawi has revealed that al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) are discussing a possible alliance. Despite their differences, rapprochement is possible between the two, especially if a change in leadership occurs in one of these groups.

Allawi said in a press statement April 17, “Negotiations have already begun. There are discussions and dialogues between representatives of [Abu Bakr] al-Baghdadi and [Ayman] al-Zawahri," in reference to the leaders of IS and al-Qaeda, respectively. Also, Allawi added, “I can't see IS disappearing into thin air. They will remain covertly in sleeping cells, spreading their venom all over the world.”

In line with Allawi's statement, Iraqi intelligence sources reported April 27 that prominent IS leaders have returned to Diyala province in eastern Iraq to start negotiations with remnants of al-Qaeda on forging a new alliance.

There are indications that prominent jihadi forces in the region are making plans for when IS loses ground. In this context, Zawahri urged the jihadis in an audio recording published April 23 to practice jihad and prepare themselves for a long war against whom he called “the Crusaders and their allies, the Shiites and Alawites.” He also pressed them to follow guerrilla tactics.