In May 2015 , Ajnad al-Kavkaz officially declared that it was not part of or affiliated with the Caucasus Emirate or any other militant organization , instead being simply allied with numerous Syrian rebel groups . In course of the 2015 – 16 Latakia offensive , the group claimed to have defended a hilltop against an attack by Russian ground forces . In late June 2016 , Ajnad al-Kavkaz strongly condemned an ISIL terror attack against the Istanbul Atatürk Airport , reaffirming their stance that the targeting of unarmed civilians is against their principles . Soon after , the group took part in another rebel offensive in Latakia , during which one of its military officials was reportedly killed . When the government responded to the offensive by launching intense counter-attacks , Ajnad al-Kavkaz became involved in brutal fighting for the hills at the village of Ayn Issa
terror attack against
2016 Atatürk Airport attack
Ajnad al-Kavkaz