Activists in Daraa province have reported that an Al-Qaeda organization, the Nusra Front, has arrested a number of leaders with the Free Syrian Army battalions and brigades.
The arrests came after the military council in the province declared the establishment of the Rebels of Southern Syria Front after the council recently met the Syrian National Coalition in Turkey.
According to local activists, Nusra saw the formation of the front as similar to the Iraqi Sahwa project, an American-backed group aimed at eliminating them or seizing their role.
Among the most prominent names that were arrested by the organization are: Khaled al-Rifai (al-Wahsh) commander of Hamad al-Thani battalion in Algerieh, Muaffaq al-Attili , Colonel Pilot Aysar al-Khatba, Musa Al-Ahmad commander of the First Cavalry Regiment in Daraa.
Nusra is still chasing Ahmed al-Nuaimi, the leader of the military council in Daraa.
The Shariah Commission issued a search warrant yesterday on the background of the investigation related to the assassination of the Amoud Horan Brigade commander a year ago. The Front issued a statement, warning against any dealings with al-Nuaimi, covering him or showing loyalty to him.
Translated and edited by The Syrian Observer
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