Syrian rebel groups fight one another near Turkish border

DAMASCUS Clashes have erupted in northern Syria between the various anti-government forces, news agencies have reported. After heavy fighting, a group linked to al-Qaeda took over the town of Azaz. Syrian rebel groups fight one another near Turkish border Azaz is located five kilometers from the Turkish border and 30 kilometers from Aleppo. Five members of the "Free Syrian Army", which previously held the city, have been killed, while close to 100 were taken prisoner. "The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant took over complete control of Azaz. They control the entrances to the city," said an activist there, Abu Ahmad, while others confirmed the information, according to AFP. Another Syrian opposition activist, Abu al Halabi, told Reuters that the conflict between the two groups broke out as the Islamists tried to seize a German doctor, a volunteer in a private hospital in Azaz. "By taking Azaz, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant moved one step towards the control of the border crossing. Their goal seems to be to take control of the entire area north of Aleppo," he said. Friction between the Free Syrian Army and Islamists increasted earlier this year and the conflict in Azaz has been the most fierce so far between the two groups of anti-government forces in Syria. A scene from war-torn Syria (Beta/AP, file) Tanjug

Syrian rebel groups fight one another near Turkish border

Azaz is located five kilometers from the Turkish border and 30 kilometers from Aleppo. Five members of the "Free Syrian Army", which previously held the city, have been killed, while close to 100 were taken prisoner.

"The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant took over complete control of Azaz. They control the entrances to the city," said an activist there, Abu Ahmad, while others confirmed the information, according to AFP.

Another Syrian opposition activist, Abu al Halabi, told Reuters that the conflict between the two groups broke out as the Islamists tried to seize a German doctor, a volunteer in a private hospital in Azaz.

"By taking Azaz, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant moved one step towards the control of the border crossing. Their goal seems to be to take control of the entire area north of Aleppo," he said.

Friction between the Free Syrian Army and Islamists increasted earlier this year and the conflict in Azaz has been the most fierce so far between the two groups of anti-government forces in Syria.