Rebel Infighting in Syria

Actions by the Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham are fueling discord among the rebel groups fighting in Syria. The group said Sept. 23 that its takeover of Azaz, a town near the Bab al-Salam border crossing with Turkey that had been held by Free Syrian Army rebels, on Sept. 20 was motivated by the Free Syrian Army's desire to install democracy in Syria and create close ties to the West.

Rebel infighting in Syria is not new. Indeed, the disparate natures of the rebel groups have ensured considerable friction between the groups related to conflict over power, territory, resources and ideology. With the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham, however, rebel infighting has gradually intensified and has measurably affected the broader rebel fight against the Syrian regime. On occasion over the past few months, rebel units from various factions have elected to leave the front line fighting against government forces to protect their territory against other encroaching rebel groups. The rebel infighting has led to a diversion of resources almost equal to that caused by the intensified Syrian rebel showdown with the Kurdish YPG.

As the Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham's actions continue hampering the wider rebel fight against the Syrian regime, rebel groups -- even those who have fought alongside the Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham in the past -- are increasingly denouncing the group. Because of the nature of the Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham and its leadership, the group will very likely continue lashing out at all of its perceived enemies, thus weakening the rebellion further and contributing to the growing strength of other groups such as Jabhat al-Nusra.

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