DHAKA: Syrian rebels laid siege to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Raqa on Monday in a bid to oust the al Qaeda-linked jihadists, who have been accused of widespread abuses against both rival rebel groups and Syrian civilians.

At least 34 foreign jihadists from ISIL and another group have been killed in clashes with other rebels in Idlib province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Tuesday, reports france24.com.

Three powerful rebel alliances launched what activists called a second ‘revolution’ against the jihadists on Friday and have advanced quickly, expelling ISIL from its checkpoints and bases across Aleppo, Idlib and Hama provinces.

A broad coalition of moderates and Islamists is seeking to drive ISIL – which is accused of kidnapping, torturing and killing Syrians, including children – from its stronghold in the northern city of Raqa.

The jihadist group, which is also active in Iraq, joined the fight against the Syrian regime in late spring 2013.

Rebels in Raqa managed to free 50 Syrian prisoners held by the Sunni extremists, who are believed to be holding hundreds of prisoners, including foreign journalists, the Observatory said.

Raqa is the only provincial capital lost by the regime since the conflict began in March 2011.

When the city later fell under ISIL control, Syrian rebel groups initially welcomed the aid of the battle-hardened jihadists.

But tensions mounted as ISIL was accused of seeking total control over the areas in which it operates and imposing a reign of terror, in Raqa in particular.

BDST: 1820 HRS, JAN 07, 2014
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor