Special to WorldTribune.com

NICOSIA — The opposition has acknowledged that the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad was exploiting the fighting within the rebel movement.

The opposition said the Syrian military was advancing toward Aleppo amid the rebel campaign against Al Qaida, which held much of the city.

After months of stalemate, the Syrian Army and pro-Assad militias have taken key positions around the northern city.

“Regime forces have taken over the area of Naqarin and are advancing towards the industrial area of Aleppo city,” the opposition-aligned Aleppo Media Center said.

The Aleppo Media Center said Naqarin was captured by the army on Jan. 11. The Army offensive came after eight days of battles between the rebels and Al Qaida’s Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, in which more than 500 people were reported killed.

The opposition said the Saudi-aligned Islamic Front has conducted most of the fighting against ISIL. The Islamic Front has targeted ISIL strongholds in several northern provinces, particularly Idlib, along the border with Turkey.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said ISIL was being pushed out
of its last stronghold in Idlib. Syrian Observatory reported heavy fighting
in Saraqeb, which included car bombs detonated by Al Qaida.

“They [Islamic Front] took over most of the town and surrounded hundreds
of ISIL fighters,” Syrian Observatory said.

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