Leaders of Syria's Nusra Front are considering cutting their links with al-Qaida to form a new entity backed by some Persian Gulf states trying to topple President Bashar Assad, sources said.
Sources within and close to Nusra said that Qatar, which enjoys good relations with the group, is encouraging the group to go ahead with the move, which would give Nusra a boost in funding.
The exercise could transform Nusra from a weakened militia group into a force capable of taking on the Islamic State group at a time when it is under pressure from bombing raids and advances by Kurdish and Iraqi military forces.