Rebel infighting kills at least 5 in Syrian town near border with Iraq
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Activists say heavy clashes between Syrian opposition fighters and Islamic extremist rebel factions near the Iraqi border have killed at least five people.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group says the ongoing battles Saturday in the town of Boukamal pit the al-Qaida-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq against more moderate rebel brigades.
Infighting among rebel groups, particularly between al-Qaida-linked extremist factions and more moderate units, has escalated in recent months. The violence undermines the opposition's primary goal of overthrowing President Bashar Assad.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It also complicates efforts by the U.S. and its allies to provide greater support to the Syrian opposition.