Former Syrian arm of Al Qaeda withdraws from oil-rich region
12 Feb 2014 5:59 AM IST
An Al Qaeda splinter group has withdrawn its forces from Syria’s oil-rich eastern province of Deir al-Zor, activists and rebels said on Monday, after days of heavy fighting with its rivals.
Rebel groups, including Al Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate the Nusra Front, have been battling the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) for control of towns and oilfields Deir al-Zor.
‘The ISIL fighters have almost completely withdrawn from Deir al-Zor. The fighters are moving to Hassaka and Raqqa (provinces),’ said a source from the Nusra Front, who asked not to be named. Raqqa remains an ISIL stronghold.
ISIL activists on Twitter said the group had pulled out of Deir al-Zor to prevent further bloodshed among rebel factions who are supposed to be fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces.
ISIL’s supporters said the estimated 200 fighters leaving Deir al-Zor would probably turn to assassinations and car bombings against the remaining rebel groups in the province - a tactic the group has used in other opposition-held areas.
Several Islamist and more secular rebel groups teamed up last month for an offensive to try to push their former ISIL allies out of rebel-held regions in northern and eastern Syria.
Activists in Deir al-Zor posted videos on the Internet that showed the main ISIL headquarters in the province collapse into a cloud of dust as rebels blew up the building.
ISIL, which has attracted many foreign militants into its ranks, is a small but powerful fighting force in Syria, and also operates in neighbouring Iraq. It has alienated many civilians and opposition activists by imposing harsh rulings against dissent, even beheading its opponents, in areas it controls.
More than 2,300 rebels have been killed in the past month of infighting, making it the bloodiest such episode since the Syrian conflict began nearly three years ago.
Rebel groups, including Al Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate the Nusra Front, have been battling the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) for control of towns and oilfields Deir al-Zor.
‘The ISIL fighters have almost completely withdrawn from Deir al-Zor. The fighters are moving to Hassaka and Raqqa (provinces),’ said a source from the Nusra Front, who asked not to be named. Raqqa remains an ISIL stronghold.
ISIL activists on Twitter said the group had pulled out of Deir al-Zor to prevent further bloodshed among rebel factions who are supposed to be fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces.
ISIL’s supporters said the estimated 200 fighters leaving Deir al-Zor would probably turn to assassinations and car bombings against the remaining rebel groups in the province - a tactic the group has used in other opposition-held areas.
Several Islamist and more secular rebel groups teamed up last month for an offensive to try to push their former ISIL allies out of rebel-held regions in northern and eastern Syria.
Activists in Deir al-Zor posted videos on the Internet that showed the main ISIL headquarters in the province collapse into a cloud of dust as rebels blew up the building.
ISIL, which has attracted many foreign militants into its ranks, is a small but powerful fighting force in Syria, and also operates in neighbouring Iraq. It has alienated many civilians and opposition activists by imposing harsh rulings against dissent, even beheading its opponents, in areas it controls.
More than 2,300 rebels have been killed in the past month of infighting, making it the bloodiest such episode since the Syrian conflict began nearly three years ago.
Next Story
