The Syrian affiliate of Al-Qaida has announced its withdrawal from front-line positions against ISIL in northern Syria, saying that it disagrees with plans by Turkey and the U.S. to clear insurgents from an area along the Turkish border. The Nusra Front said the proposed plan was designed primarily to protect “Turkish national security” and not to advance the Syrian rebel cause. On Monday, a Defense Department official said the U.S. did not believe the statement.

New York Times