Special to WorldTribune.com

NICOSIA — Saudi-backed rebels have launched an offensive against Al Qaida in Syria.

Rebel militias began a campaign against Al Qaida’s Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant throughout Syria. The militias were said to have attacked ISIL strongholds in the northern provinces of Aleppo and Idlib, particularly along the 900-kilometer border with Turkey.

“The offensive was planned for more than two months and involves thousands of fighters equipped and financed by Saudi Arabia,” a rebel source said.

At least 60 people were said to have been killed since the campaign was launched on Jan. 3. The Saudi-sponsored Mujahadin Army, which comprised of eight militias, has led the offensive against ISIL, accused of working with the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad. So far, Mujahadin was said to have captured ISIL checkpoints and arms caches.

“We, the Army of the Mujahadin, pledge to defend ourselves and our honor, wealth and lands, and to fight ISIL, which has violated the rule of God, until it announces its dissolution,” Mujahadin said.

This marked the first rebel offensive against ISIL, which within months
became the most powerful militia in Syria. ISIL, which threatened to abandon
its positions to the Syrian Army, was said to be led by foreigners linked to Al
Qaida from such countries as Afghanistan, Iraq and Yemen.

“The withdrawal of the Islamic State from any of those points will mean
the invasion by the criminal [Assad] regime,” ISIL said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the fighting was heaviest
around Aleppo and along the border with Turkey. The British-based monitoring
group said ISIL was using captured rebels as human shields and already
killed at least 30 of them.

“At least 36 members and supporters of the Islamic State of Iraq and the
Levant have been killed since Friday [Jan. 3] in Idlib, and more than 100
have been captured by rebels,” Syrian Observatory said on Jan. 4.

  Aleppo, Bashar Assad, Idlib, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Mujahadin Army, Saudi-backed rebels battle Al Qaida’s Iraqi militia in northern Syria, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights