Ayman al-Zawahiri, the chief of terrorist outfit Al-Qaeda, reportedly denounced the Islamic State and called them "liars" for alleging that al-Qaeda opposed attacks on Shias and was prepared to partner with Christian leaders. Further, Al-Zawahiri claimed that he asked ISIS multiple times to concentrate on attacking military, security, police forces and Shi'ite militiamen, instead of attacking markets and Shi'ite places of worship.