To add to the staggering woes of the Syrian rebels is a power struggle over territory that is pitting Al Qaeda funded groups against the bona fide Syrian rebels of Free Syria.
Just yesterday a top commander of Free Syria was killed by ISIS in Latakia. ISIS stands for Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
Tensions among the two groups are escalating at a time when solidarity could be key to a potential success in ousting dictator Al Assad.
The rebel Free Syria chief, called Abu Bassir Al Jeblawi, was shot dead by ISIS, one of the most militant Al Qaeda affiliates trying to unseat the dictator in Syria. In fact the chief was killed as he was trying to defend a Free Syria stronghold coveted by ISIS. ISIS is increasingly encroaching on Free Syria territory and either taking the rebels prisoners or killing them, in an attempt to gain territory. Just like Al Nusra Frong, ISIS is engaged in trying to create a pan-Islamic state that would include Iraq and part of the Middle East, with later probable inclusion of Lebanon, Jordan and other Middle Eastern States.
Fights against different rebel factions are not new, but this incident could throw a much larger wrench in the Free Syria rebels' quest for freedom. Free Syria furthermore is battling ISIS because the foreign rebel group has been accused of brutality and abuse.
Only a week ago, in another fight between the two groups, a Free Syria battalion chief who had been taken prisoner was decapitated by ISIS.
At the beginning of the civil war, foreign rebels were welcomed, but now the usurpers have turned into the rebels' worst nightmare. Now Free Syria is facing the prospect of not only fighting Assad forces and Hezbollah, but also previously 'friendly' foreign groups like ISIS.
Source: France 24/7.12.13
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