BREAKING NEWS

Al-Qaida-linked fighters, Syria rebels clash again near Turkey

By REUTERS

OCTOBER 2, 2013 14:29

BEIRUT - Syrian rebels and al-Qaida-linked fighters battled near the border with Turkey on Wednesday, activists said, in an outbreak of violence that exposes serious divisions between factions fighting President Bashar Assad.

The al-Qaida-linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) took control of the border town of Azaz last month, kicking out rival rebels and prompting Turkey to shut its border crossing about 5 km (3 miles) away.

ISIL, which wants to merge Syria into a larger state ruled by Islamic law, has maintained control of the town since then and clashes have periodically erupted between them and fighters of the Northern Storm brigade they expelled to its outskirts.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has a network of sources across the country, said heavy clashes had resumed on Wednesday between the two groups.

It said there were reports ISIL fighters were advancing toward Northern Storm bases and checkpoints near the crossing into Turkey and in villages in the outskirts of Azaz.

An activist in the area confirmed fighting had started, but did not have details.

Taiwan rattled by 6.1 magnitude quake, no immediate reports of damage

By REUTERS

04/26/2024 09:43 PM

IDF: Mt Hermon targeted by 30 launches, no known casualties

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

04/26/2024 09:34 PM

Pentagon chief: Iran should question strategy after Israel attack failed

By REUTERS

04/26/2024 08:55 PM

Two expatriate workers killed by drone attack on Iraq's Khor Mor

By REUTERS