Syrian opposition–Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant conflict

The Syrian opposition–Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant conflict started during the Syrian civil war after fighting erupted between the Syrian opposition groups: Free Syrian Army (FSA), the Army of Mujahedeen and the Islamic Front (IF), and the Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS).

In early January 2014, most serious clashes between the groups erupted in the north of the country. Opposition groups near Aleppo attacked militants from the ISIS in two areas, al-Atareb and Andana, which are both strongholds of the fundamentalist Sunni organisation.

Despite the conflict between ISIS and other rebels, some factions of ISIS have cooperated with the Al Nusra Front and the Green Battalion (a group of Saudi fighters) to combat Hezbollah in the Qalamoun region.

Background
Tension between moderate rebel forces and ISIS had been high since ISIS attacked and captured FSA held the border town of Azaz in Northern Aleppo and the nearby Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey, which serves as an important supply route for rebel forces. Which took place between 18–23 September 2013.

Conflict was renewed over Azaz in early October and in late November ISIS captured the border town of Atme from an FSA brigade.

On 31 December 2013, the body of doctor and rebel commander Hussein Suleiman was handed over in a prisoner swap between ISIS and rival rebel forces. Suleiman was tortured and died in ISIS custody.

January
On the evening of 2 January 2014, ISIS forces attacked the rebel-held town of Atarib, where they were accused of two recent incidents of killing or kidnapping mainstream rebel commanders. On 3 January, several civilian protests, counting hundreds of people, were organised against ISIS and to commemorate the death of Suleiman across Aleppo Governorate. In the Idlib village of Kafr Takharim ISIS opened fire on the protesters. There were no reports of casualties. In response to the attack on the protesters, two newly formed Islamist rebel groups of the FSA attacked ISIS positions in more than half a dozen locations in the governorates of Aleppo and Idlib.

Rebels in Atarib managed to repel the ISIS attack on the town, after which the ISIS fighters were surrounded, resulting in the capture of a Tunisian commander, Abu Saber al-Tunisi. It was unclear if he was summarily executed by the rebels. 42 ISIS fighters were wounded in the fighting in Atarib, while an opposition media activist was killed while covering the clashes. There were unconfirmed reports of rebels arresting ISIS members in various towns and villages in Aleppo Governorate and Idlib Governorate. Fighting raged in the Idlib village of Maarrat Misrin, while in the village of Kafr Nabl rebel forces surrounded an ISIS facility, giving its fighters 24 hours to surrender. Meanwhile, the rebel Islamic Front, which was also engaged in the fighting against ISIS, sent reinforcements to the ISIS-held town of Azaz.

The opposition National Coalition and activists accused ISIS of serving the interests of the Syrian government by tarnishing the image of their uprising.

On 4 January, ISIS were reported to be rounding up "suspect activists" in both Saraqeb and Kafr Nabl. In the Harem area, ISIS forces executed 30 captives, including civilians, after their base was surrounded by rebel forces. In Aleppo, fighting raged throughout the province, with rebel forces making advances against ISIS. FSA units were reportedly making progress in Atarib, but ISIS was surrounding the town and shelling it.

ISIS was also on the offensive, attacking rebel positions and ambushing their forces in attacks that left 24 rebels dead. One attack included a car bomb.

At this point, ISIS gave a 24-hour ultimatum to rebel forces attacking them, saying that they would withdraw from Aleppo, allowing government forces to enter rebel territory, if they did not stop their attacks. The rebels reiterated an earlier call on ISIS fighters to defect to their side.

On 5 January, rebels captured an ISIS base in Manbij after heavy fighting. Clashes had also erupted in the town of Tabqa, in Ar-Raqqah Governorate, and fighting spread to the central Hama Governorate where ISIS killed seven rebel fighters. During the fighting in Manbij, ISIS used car bombs to defend its territory. Meanwhile, ISIS forces retreated from al-Dana and Atme in Idlib Governorate and started heading in the direction of Aleppo. Their positions were taken over by the Al-Nusra Front and Ahrar al-Sham groups, in a possible deal to avoid larger confrontations. ISIS also retreated from Darat Izza, while they managed to retain control of Saraqeb and Kafr Zita. ISIS reinforcements were dispatched from Ar-Raqqah to Aleppo. Overall, 66 combatants, including 11 ISIS fighters, were killed during the day.

According to the opposition Sham News Network, by this point, rebels had captured more than 80% of the ISIS-held Idlib countryside and 65% of ISIS territory in Aleppo and its countryside.

At the end of the day, ISIS forces were reportedly moving towards the Bab al-Salameh border crossing with Turkey in an apparent attempt to seize it. During the evening, rebels attacked ISIS forces in Ar-Raqqah.

By 6 January, rebels had besieged ISIS in its stronghold of Ar-Raqqah. During the fighting, rebels released 50 prisoners from ISIS custody. Among those rescued was a Turkish news photographer who had been kidnapped since December 2013. 10 Syrian Kurdish prisoners also managed to escape. 70 ISIS and 20 rebel fighters had been killed since the rebel attack on Ar-Raqqah started, according to a rebel officer who expected that it would take them at least a week to drive the al-Qaida linked militants out of the city. Meanwhile, ISIS detonated a car bomb by a rebel checkpoint near the town of Darkush, 20 rebel fighters were killed in the suicide attack on the checkpoint. ISIS fighters retreated from Kafr Zita, In Jarablus, a mile and a half from the Turkish-Syrian border, there were conflicting reports with the Islamic Front stating they had overrun the local ISIS headquarters, with the ISIS denying that and insisting that the group was holding fast.

On 7 January, it was confirmed that 34 foreign ISIS and Jund al-Aqsa fighters had been executed in the previous few days by rebels in the Jabal al-Zawiya area. ISIS retreated from al-Mayadeen in Deir ez-Zor Governorate, without any fighting with rebel forces. East of Rastan, in Homs Governorate, ISIS attacked a rebel headquarters killing 15 rebel fighters. During the day, it was revealed that the previous evening ISIS executed up to 50 prisoners in the Qadi al-Askar district of Aleppo. The dead included media activists, relief workers and other civilians. According to the opposition SOHR, 42 people were executed, including 21 rebel fighters and five media activists.

On 8 January, rebels captured the ISIS headquarters in Aleppo city at the Children's hospital in the Qadi Askar district. ISIS forces lost control over opposition-held areas of the city and retreated to Al-Inzarat on the northeastern outskirts of Aleppo. 300 hostages held by the radical jihadists were set free. In Ar-Raqqah, the hospital was abandoned, bodies were laying in the central square and there was no power or water leaving the city "completely paralyzed", according to an opposition activist. At this point, ISIS controlled two key routes out of Raqqa: to the east toward the Iraqi border and also the road north to the Turkish frontier. The head of the Al Nusra Front, Abu Mohammad al-Golani, confirmed that fighting had taken place between his organization and ISIS and called for mediation and an end to the "infighting". Late in the day, ISIS started a counter-attack as it launched car bomb assaults targeting opposition checkpoints. Three attacks took place in Al-Bab, Hreitan and Jarabulus in Aleppo Governorate, Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. He said similar overnight attacks took place in Aleppo Governorate, while one occurred in Mayadin in the eastern Deir ez-Zor Governorate. The attack in Al-Bab killed nine people.

On 9 January, ISIS sent reinforcements from Deir ez-Zor to back its fighters in the Aleppo countryside. According to local residents, ISIS was preparing many suicide attacks in retaliation for the rebel attacks, and that their commanders were wearing explosive belts all the time. Dutch journalist Lex Runderkamp told Dutch news program NOS that the ISIS reinforcement convoy was 1,300 men strong, including ISIS special forces from Iraq. In Ar-Raqqah, the rebels took control of the political intelligence building, which was located 400 meters from the main ISIS headquarters. However, ISIS still controlled the bridges leading into the city, which left people using boats to get into Ar-Raqqah, and later in the evening ISIS forces seized the Mashlab district and an Al-Nusra Front base in the city. Clashes erupted between ISIS and a rebel brigade by the Castillo road, in Aleppo Governorate. The rebels blocked an ISIS supply route between al-Jandoul and Castillo. Meanwhile, Islamist rebel brigades sent reinforcements to the Bab al-Salama border crossing, at Azaz, which is primarily controlled by ISIS. In Idlib province, ISIS opened fire on a demonstration in Kafartkharim and besieged several field clinics, and stormed one of them, searching for rebels injured earlier in the morning during clashes in Atarib. According to SOHR, local ISIS forces signed a truce with the Islamic Front and several independent Islamist rebel units in Al-Hasakah Governorate. They agreed with the establishment of a single military command center and legal authority for the area.

On 10 January, ISIS managed to push back rebel forces on the eastern approaches to Ar-Raqqah. ISIS forces also killed 20 rebel fighters in fighting in the town of Al-Bab in Aleppo province. ISIS managed to capture wheat silos and mills just outside of Al-Bab and ISIS commander Abu Omar al-Shishani entered the town with a convoy of 30 vehicles and troops after he lifted the ISIS's siege of Deir-az-Zor airport. There were also reports of heavy fighting in Haian, which was attacked by the ISIS with heavy weapons. Meanwhile, a FSA-supported anti-ISIS protest march was organised in Aleppo's Salaheddine neighbourhood.

On 11 January, rebels moved a convoy including tanks and technicals to Saraqeb in preparation to push ISIS out. Heavy fighting erupted and it was reported that rebels took over most of the town, and besieged hundreds of ISIS fighters. Earlier in the day, five rebels were killed on the outskirts of Saraqeb when their car hit a bomb. Meanwhile, ISIS forces managed to capture the border town of Tal Abyad, while in Ar-Raqqah ISIS fighters captured a rebel checkpoint and the train station. ISIS fighters also dumped the corpses of dozens of their foes at the village of Jazra, to the west of Ar-Raqqah. Dozens of bodies of ISIS fighters were also reportedly in Ar-Raqqah's hospital. Rebels managed to regain territory lost in previous days in Aleppo province and were defending against ISIS counterattacks. 20 rebels were killed in fighting in the town of Anadan, while 30 rebels were killed in three days of fighting in the village of al-Tiba, northeast of Sekhna.

On 12 January, it was confirmed that rebel forces had captured the eastern part of Saraqeb with the local ISIS commander surrounded with his fighters in the center of the town. Fighting was still continuing in Ar-Raqqah between ISIS and remnants of rebel units, including the Al-Nusra Front, although by this point ISIS had captured much of the city. According to an opposition activist, 95 percent of Ar-Raqqah and its countryside were under ISIS control. ISIS forces had also captured the towns of Hrietan and Basraton in Aleppo province. It was also reported that the bodies of 70 rebels were delivered to Ar-Raqqah's hospital after they were executed by ISIS following their capture of Tal Abyad. Another report put the number of executed prisoners at 100.

On 13 January, it was reported that ISIS had won the battle for of Ar-Raqqah capturing most of the province and the provincial capital. ISIS had also captured Al-Bab and Beza'a, while the rebels were gaining ground in Jarabulus, near the Turkish border. Another mass execution of prisoners was also reported near the village of Kantari, about 80 kilometers north of Ar-Raqqah, when ISIS killed 46 captured fighters of the Ahrar al-Sham rebel group. 14 rebels were also executed in Homs province

On 14 January, it was reported that rebels captured the villages of Masqan, Kafar Kalbin and Kafra in Aleppo province, while the ISIS has taken full control of Ar-Raqqah city, after the last remaining rebels retreated. Meanwhile, the rebels also captured the prison in Jarablus, releasing 70 prisoners from ISIS custody.

On 15 January, an ISIS car bomb in Jarablus killed 26 people, of which 23 were rebel fighters and three were civilians. Meanwhile, in Saraqeb fighting was continuing and opposition sources reported that the local ISIS commander, a Belgian, was killed. ISIS denied the claim. Rebel forces also captured the towns of Jibreen, Hardntin and Kfarrakeshr, near the border town of Azaz.

On 17 January, rebels captured Sheikh Ali, Aajel, 46th base, Orum al-Sughra and Reef al-Muhandiseen, while the ISIS retreated from the village of Kafarjoum, which holds the largest ISIS arms depots in all of Syria. ISIS also withdrew from Saraqab, burning their vehicles as they retreated, while at the same time ISIS recaptured Jarabulus. ISIS reinforcements also arrived at the town of Manbij and started making attempts to storm the city from the Matahen side. In response, rebels also sent reinforcements to the area.

On 18 January, rebels captured the town of Ratyan, while fighting took place in Manbij as ISIS forces were reportedly advancing after capturing the mills around the town. 9 rebels were killed by a car bomb in the town.

On 19 January, ISIS reached out to other rebel groups in Syria to stop the rebel in-fighting, by posting an audio message online.

On 20 January, 2 suicide cars exploded in Bab Al-Hawa border, 16 people including six rebels were killed. The same day, ISIS forces seized control of the Al-Jarah military airport. In Manbij, a large suicide car explosion killed 20 people, including rebels, women, and children

On 22 January, ISIS captured many areas of Manbij, after days of fighting in and around the town. It was also reported that there were heavy clashes in Azaz.

On 23 January, ISIS fully captured Manbij. It was also reported that Al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri called on rebels in Syria to stop fighting each other.

On 24 January, ISIS completely secured Darkush.

On 27 January, it was reported that ISIS senior Commander Sameer Abid Mohammed al-Halefawi (aka Haji Bakr) was killed by rebels in Tal Rifaat, near Azaz, and at least two other ISIS senior commanders were captured at Hreitan. Four ISIS fighters and three rebels were killed in the fighting. ISIS confirmed the death of top ISIS leader Haji Bakr on 2 February.

On 30 January, ISIS captured two more small villages in Aleppo province.

February
On 1 February, ISIS attacked the headquarters of the Liwa al-Tawhid Brigade in Aleppo, killing the brigade commander Adnan Bakour and 15 other rebels at the cost of at least 9 ISIS fighters. It was also reported that rebels have captured much of al-Rai village after days of clashes. Meanwhile, ISIS killed a rebel senior leader, a brigade commander and six other rebels in an ambush in the Sha'er desert.

On 2 February, Al-Qaeda distanced itself from ISIS and its actions in Syria.

On 3 February, the Ar-Raqqah Rebels Brigade launched a military operation against ISIS checkpoints and strongholds in Ar-Raqqah. The day before, five ISIS fighters were assassinated in the Ar-Raqqa national hospital.

On 4 February, ISIS attacked Al-Nusra Front positions in the eastern countryside of Deir El-Zor. It managed to capture several civil facilities and many Al-Nusra fighters.

On 5 February, a local group of Suqour al-Sham brigade in Hama and ISIS signed a truce, It was also reported that The Front of Aleppo Islamic Scholars issued a statement, giving the ISIS fighters in Syria a three-day ultimatum to either return to Iraq or join other armed factions fighting against the Syrian regime.

On 7 February, rebels advanced in Tal Jijan village. In Ar-Raqqah, according to SOHR, 50 foreign fighters ISIS attempted to desert, but they were stopped by loyal ISIS members.

On 8 February, the Al-Nusra Front and allied rebel factions launched an offensive against the ISIS in the Deir ez-Zor Governorate. It was reported that the ISIS emir of Deir al-Zor,Abu Dajana, was killed in the clashes and the rebels also recaptured facilities in the province. At the same time, 13 foreign ISIS fighters defected in Ar-Raqqa.

On 10 February, it was confirmed that ISIS had almost completely withdrawn from the eastern province of Deir ez-Zor, following days of heavy fighting with other rebel brigades (including Jabhat al-Nusra). Rebel fighters took control of the Abu Kamal border crossing, Hamdan Air Base as well as the towns of Hajin, al-Jalaa, Al-Musareb and Al-Kubar. It was also reported that the ISIS arrested a commander of the FSA affiliated Al-Hamza Brigade in Tal Abyad.

On 12 February, it was reported that ISIS retreated from the city of Deir ez-Zor. It was also reported that the ISIS captured the town of Al-Tareef, while rebels captured the ISIS emir of al-Mayadin: Abu Zar al-Iraqi.

On 19 February, 14 ISIS fighters (including the ISIS emir Abu Oubada Al-Shaman) defected in the eastern countryside of Al-Raqqa.

On 20 February, ISIS blew up a suicide car bomb at the Bab al-Salama border crossing with Turkey, killing at least 14 people. It was also reported that rebels captured two villages near Azaz.

On 23 February, two ISIS suicide bombers killed a number of rebels in Aleppo, including Abu Khaled al-Suri, who was Al-Qaeda's representative in Syria and top-commander in the rebel group Ahrar al-Sham.

On 26 February, it was reported that the Tunisian ISIS deputy Emir for the Ar-Raqqa province and three other fighters were killed by a roadside bomb, while rebels captured the village of Kafrnaya in Aleppo. It was also reported that ISIS released a rebel commander in Ar-Raqqa.

On 28 February, it was reported that ISIS has begun retreating from Aleppo province towards Ar-Raqqa. It retreated from Azaz, Menagh military airport, the Mayer region and the villages of Deir Jamal and Kafin. ISIS has regrouped in particular at their strongholds Jarabulus and Manbij. Azaz was captured by the Free Syrian Army after the ISIS withdrawal.

March
On 1 March, ISIS withdrew from al-Rai and erected barriers near Al-Bab.

On 2 March, it was reported that the Al-Nusra Front seized parts of Deir Al-Zor's Salt Mine region and regained control over the road to Jazarat Albouhmeid.

On 3 March, SOHR reported that ISIS was responsible for the kidnapping of the commander of the rebel “United Front for Southern Damascus” in February 2014.

On 11 March, the ISIS massacred at least 22 people, including 12 rebels, after they captured the village of Shuyukh near Jarabulus. During this time, ISIS had also captured the town of Karakozak, in Aleppo province near the Turkish border.

On 12 March, it was reported that the ISIS emir Abu Mouhammad Al-Massri was assasinated by the FSA affiliated Al-Raqqa Revolutionaries Brigade in the Ar-Raqqa's Tal-Dikan area, near the village of Sarreen.

On 13 March, the ISIS captured the village of Jesser Qozaq and the Qozaq bridge area after clashes with rebels.

Between 3 January and 13 March, 3,012–3,812 people had been killed in the inter-rebel fighting. By 25 February, ISIS had conducted 34 suicide attacks.

On 14 March, it was reported that ISIS fully retreated from Idlib and Latakia provinces.

On 16 March, according to local sources a number of foreign ISIS fighters defected to Al-Nusra after they killed their commander. The next day, Al-Nusra and the Islamic Front were able to capture the al-Thalja barrier, resulting in the ISIS withdrawal towards Margada town.

On 24 March, opposition sources claimed that rebels have captured the town of Al-Tebni and a checkpoint near the Salt Mine region in Deir Al-Zor province.

On 27 March, ISIS launched an operation against Al-Nusra and allied forces at the al-Jafra oil field and the Koniko gas factory in Reef Deir Izzor. SOHR comfirmed that the ISIS took hold of these facilities, but were forced to withdrew after heavy clashes two days later.

On 29 March, the SOHR reported that the ISIS captured the town of Markadah, after the rebels retreated to Al-Sor town in the eastern countryside of Der-Ezzor. At least 35 rebels were reportedly killed by the ISIS in the fighting and many rebels were captured. The SOHR comfirmed the death of at least seven ISIS fighters.

April
On 4 April, Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahri called on the rival jihadists and rebels to end the infighting, stating that the violence is “sedition.”