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Fighting Erupts Between Rival Insurgent Groups in Syria

by Associated Press

   BEIRUT --

   Clashes have broken out between two powerful insurgent groups in
   northern Syria, leaving at least two people dead.

   The al-Qaida-linked Hayat Levant Liberation Committee and the
   Turkey-backed Nour el-Din el-Zinki group blamed each other for
   triggering Tuesday's fighting in the northern province of Aleppo.
   The government-controlled Syrian Central Military Media says the
   al-Qaida-linked fighters captured the villages of Taqad, Saadiyah and
   Habata. It added that fighting is ongoing in the town of Daret Azzeh.
   The Levant Liberation Committee says Nour el-Din el-Zinki militants
   shot dead five people, including four of its fighters, last week.
   The clashes are the first between the two former allies since they
   reached a deal to end similar fighting in October.
   The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says two
   civilians were killed.