hollywoodtone.blogspot.com Syrian rebels drive Al Qaeda-linked ISIS group from some areas
hollywoodtone.blogspot.com Syrian rebels drive Al Qaeda-linked ISIS group from some areas
Aleppo - After steadily expanding the area it controls for some time often at the expense of other rebel groups, The Islamic State in Sham (ISIS) also known as Al Qaeda in Iraq has relinquished control of some areas in northern Syria.
ISIS remains in control of Raqqa, the only provincial capital to have been wrested from Assad's control. They also continue to be a major presence in Aleppo where they are also in conflict with other rebel groups as well as Assad forces. The western-backed Syrian National Coalition supports the Free Syrian Army umbrella military grouping. From its base in Turkey the Coalition issued a statement that said ISIS opposed the revolution, and it commended the Free Syrian Army for launching a operations "to deter the alien group". The statement also said:
“Clashes with ISIS are inevitable if the Syrian people are going to achieve the goals of the revolution".The offensive against ISIS began on Friday (January 3) in a joint action of the Free Syrian Army and the new Islamic Front. The two cleared more than a dozen bases held by ISIS. Earlier. ISIS took over the headquarters and warehouses of the FSA and the commander of the FSA General Idris fled to Turkey. ISIS maintained its headquarters at Ad Dana near the border of Turkey and also the towns of Kfar Zeta and Saraqeb. ISIS also sent reinforcements to Aleppo from its stronghold in Raqqa. The battles have cost ISIS only 9 fighters according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, whereas the attackers lost at least 50. This offensive comes after a four-month long drive by ISIS that saw the group seize 20 locations from the Free Syrian Army. It also kidnapped FSA military commanders and leaders of more moderate Islamist groups. The group imposes a strict Islamic code wherever it gains power. The same group has recently seized power in the Iraqi cities of Ramadi and Fallujah. No doubt western supporters of moderate rebels will urge on the offensive against ISIS in order to reduce the influence of radical Islam. However the large recently formed Islamic Front also rejects the western-backed Syrian National Coalition and the leadership of the FSA. So far the group has refused talks with the western officials some of whom would like to see the group as part of the upcoming peace talks in Geneva. Some reports indicate that another Al-Qaeda affiliated group Jabhat al-Nusra has been trying to mediate between ISIS and other rebel forces. Rebels managed to recapture the warehouses and headquarters of the FSA at Bab al Hawa just inside the Syrian border from Turkey. The flag of the FSA was raised again. The United States and Britain had suspended aid to the group in December. The Islamic Front is also fighting against the ISIS. One Islamic Front member told AFP that "What's happening is that the ranks of the revolution are being cleaned up." In Aleppo ISIS threatened to withdraw from areas that it controls and let in Assad forces if there is further pressure from other rebel forces. No doubt this type of infighting among rebel groups gives the Assad regime hope that it can resist the rebels successfully. The battle-hardened fighters of ISIS with their many foreign recruits may be difficult to dislodge from the remaining areas they occupy and any attempt to do so will simply divert resources to fight other rebels rather than the Assad regime. In related news US Secretary of State John Kerry says that Iran could play a role in the upcoming Geneva 2 peace talks. but from the sidelines. However, iran appears to have rejected such a limited role. It is not yet certain there will even be a meeting since so far most of the opposition has refused to attend.
hollywoodtone.blogspot.com Syrian rebels drive Al Qaeda-linked ISIS group from some areas