Syria: al-Qaeda seizes bases and weapons from Western-backed group

The al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front seized bases and weapons from a Western-backed rebel group in overnight fighting in northwestern Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Sunday.

Protesters carry Nusra Front flags and shout slogans during an anti-government protest after Friday prayers in the town of Marat Numan in Idlib province, Syria, March 11, 2016. Reuters

Rami Abdulrahman, director of the Observatory, said the Nusra Front had also detained dozens of members of the 13th Division rebel group, one of the factions that has received foreign military aid, capturing U.S.-made anti-tank missiles.

article,article,article,article Related

The 13th Division, which is led by the prominent rebel commander Ahmed al-Seoud and fights under the banner of the Free Syrian Army, said on Twitter that Nusra Front fighters attacked its bases and seized weapons, but gave no further details.

Nusra Front accused the rebel fighters of launching surprise attacks on its own bases in the town of Maarat al-Numan in Idlib province in northwest Syria. It said some Nusra fighters had been captured.

The clashes came two weeks into a cessation of hostilities in Syria and on the eve of peace talks in Geneva between President Bashar al-Assad's government and the opposition.

The halt in fighting, agreed by government forces, rebel groups and their international backers, excludes Nusra Front and Islamic State militants.

Nusra Front fighters have often taken part in offensives alongside other rebel groups. But they have also fought them for territory, defeating groups such as the Western-backed Syria Revolutionaries Front and the Hazzm group last year.

related articles
'We were beaten and raped continuously for two weeks': 17-year-old Yazidi girl reveals life in ISIS captivity

'We were beaten and raped continuously for two weeks': 17-year-old Yazidi girl reveals life in ISIS captivity

ISIS document leak: 'Good Christian boy' revealed as British jihadist

ISIS document leak: 'Good Christian boy' revealed as British jihadist

Syrian pastor: 'God is waking up a sleeping Church', more people becoming Christians than ever before

Syrian pastor: 'God is waking up a sleeping Church', more people becoming Christians than ever before

Syria opposition to attend Geneva peace talks

Syria opposition to attend Geneva peace talks

News
Franklin Graham wraps up European evangelism congress with call to be unashamed of the Gospel
Franklin Graham wraps up European evangelism congress with call to be unashamed of the Gospel

Europe needs an "army" of "unafraid" and "unashamed" evangelists to reach it with the Gospel, Christian leaders heard this week. 

Adventurer Bear Grylls details how faith has changed him 'from the inside out'
Adventurer Bear Grylls details how faith has changed him 'from the inside out'

Prominent TV personality and adventurer Bear Grylls says his faith in Jesus changed him "from the inside out" and encourages people to give Christ a chance as he did. 

North Korean defectors tell of growing Christianity, despite savage persecution
North Korean defectors tell of growing Christianity, despite savage persecution

North Korea is regularly ranked as the number one country for persecution of Christians.

Indonesian church blocked by locals
Indonesian church blocked by locals

Christians represent around 10% of the population in the region.