al-Qaida in Iraq has merged with Syria's extremist Jabhat al-Nusra

CAIRO — The leader of al-Qaida in Iraq says it has merged with Syria's extremist Jabhat al-Nusra, which has sided with the rebels fighting President Bashar Assad's regime.

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of the Islamic State of Iraq, says the two groups will rally under the same al-Qaida flag. His announcement came in a 21-minute audio message posted on militant websites late Monday.

Al-Baghdadi says the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria's Jabhat al-Nusra will be known as the "Islamic State in Iraq and Sham."
Sham is a name for Syria and the surrounding region.
The development is likely to raise concerns among foreign backers of Syria's opposition.

Jabhat Al-Nusra has taken an increasing role in Syria's conflict, claiming several large suicide bombings. The U.S. has designated it a terrorist organization.