Infighting takes heavy toll on rebels
Beirut – Infighting between rebel groups has killed nearly 700 people over the past nine days in northern Syria, in the worst clashes among the opponents of President Bashar al- Assad since the country’s civil war began, activists said today.
The fighting between the al Qaeda- linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant ( ISIL) and several Islamist and more moderate rebel groups has broken out in cities, towns and villages in at least four opposition- held provinces in the north.
Since the violence started, it has largely overshadowed the broader battle against the government.
The British- based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said today that at least 697 people had been killed since the clashes began on January 3. The toll included 351 fighters from the Islamist and main- stream opposition brigades, from ISIL, and 100 civilians.
ISIL has alienated other rebel factions and civilians in the territory under its control by using brutal tactics to implement its strict interpretation of Islamic law. It has also kidnapped and killed its opponents.
While the rebel infighting has grabbed the spotlight over the past nine days, the fight against the gov-
246 ernment has continued across the country.
In the central city of Homs, government shelling killed more than 20 people and seriously wounded dozens yesterday in the rebel- held Waer neighborhood, the observatory said.
Syrian rebels also have targeted areas held by forces loyal to Assad with indiscriminate mortar fire.
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