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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Turf war feared after Syrian rebel leader killed |
| 2013-01-11 |
| The killing of a senior Islamist rebel commander near Syria's border with Turkey could indicate a turf war between armed groups that will hamper their struggle to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, sources told Reuters. Thaer al-Waqqas, northern commander of al-Farouq Brigades, one of Syria's largest rebel groups, was shot dead at a rebel-held position in the town of Sermin, a few kilometres from Turkey, early on Wednesday morning, rebel sources said. Al-Waqqas, they said, had been suspected of involvement in the killing four months ago of Firas al-Absi, a main jihadist leader in al Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front, which Washington dubbed a terrorist organisation in December. In addition to chronic supply problems and a shortage of financing and heavy weapons, the lack of unity among Syria's rebels has held back their efforts to dislodge Assad's forces. "The assassins came in a white car, disembarked and riddled Waqqas with bullets as he was at a food supply depot," one of the rebels said. He said suspicion immediately turned on Nusra. "Absi's brother is a commander in (the city of) Homs. He vowed revenge for Firas, and it seems that he has carried out his promise," the rebel said. "Farouq is in a period of mourning now. But it seems a matter of time before the clashes with Nusra erupt in Bab al-Hawa," he added, referring to the rebel-held border crossing with Turkey where Absi was killed |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #3 Just got a new boxcar-load of popcorn parked on the siding. Extra butter with that, Glenmore? Or perhaps some parmesan? ;-p |
| Posted by: Barbara 2013-01-11 21:52 |
| #2 I think Barbara still has the concession. |
| Posted by: lotp 2013-01-11 18:57 |
| #1 Who's turn is it to make the popcorn? |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2013-01-11 09:28 |