Absorption.

This is coolbert:

Daesh = Islamic State.

Yet continuing with more extracts from Sputnik Internet articles with my commentary as appropriate:

"Scholar Explains What Lures Jihadists From Daesh to al-Qaeda"

"With many Daesh fighters, disillusioned by their leaders’ violently hard line vision of Islam, now breaking ranks and joining al-Qaeda, Radio Sputnik has discussed al-Qaeda and its future with David Cook, an assistant professor of religious studies at Rice University in Houston, Texas."

That northwest section of Syria a portion of which as currently controlled by the 30,000 or so fighters in opposition to and as loyal/beholden to the Al Qaeda affiliate now known as Tahrir al-Sham. Ranks now to bolstered by those unwilling or unable to give up the fight even with  the demise [apparently so] of the Islamic State.

1. DEFECTORS [REFUGEES/BATTLEFIELD SURVIVING REMNANTS?] FROM THE ISLAMIC STATE RALLYING TO THE  AL QAEDA AFFILIATE IN SYRIA HAVE COME TO REALIZE THE DECLARATION OF A CALIPHATE WAS TOO PREMATURE.

2. ALSO AL QAEDA TENDS TO "WORK WITH" RATHER THAN DOMINATE OTHER GROUPS IS A FURTHER ATTRACTION?

The Caliphate and the Islamic State now a thing of the past never to resurrect itself? The jihadi fight however continues for the true believer with a new master and faction?

coolbert.