There is a reported increase in fighting between rebel factions in Syria, as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’s (ISIL) success in neighboring Iraq has fueled the determination of rebel groups not to allow it to dominate the aftermath of the struggle to overthrow the regime of president Bashar Assad. Clashes have been reported in several Syrian villages near the increasingly meaningless Iraqi border, even as the strength of the ISIL campaign has increased significantly in recent days, partly because of the capture of money, weapons and territory in Iraq. The UN issued a report on Tuesday warning that the very existence of a cohesive Iraqi state is in danger. Meanwhile, senior US officials have signaled they are considering ordering air strikes against ISIL targets in Iraq while Iran continues to pour in ground troops in an attempt to stem its advance towards Baghdad. Read More
