Syrian Rebels Give al-Qaida Rivals Ultimatum

(AP) Syrian rebels give al-Qaida rivals ultimatum
BEIRUT
Activists say Islamic rebels fighting in Syria have given their rivals from an al-Qaida-linked group 24 hours to surrender.

The ultimatum comes amid days of deadly rebel infighting in two northern provinces, Idlib and Aleppo.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said rebels from an alliance of Islamic groups attacked positions of the fighters from the militant Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, killing and capturing dozens Saturday.

Ahmad al-Khatib, an activist in the Jabal al-Zawiya region in northwestern Idlib, says Islamic rebels have given ISIL members an ultimatum to surrender by Saturday afternoon.

ISIL has been blamed for brutal killings in areas under their control, turning many local residents against them.

Clashes between the rival groups broke out anew on Friday and have been spreading since.