Al-Hasakah Countryside: ’Al-Qaeda’ Wings Clashes
Hussein Mortada
Still the ball of clashes between the so-called "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" [ISIL] and al-Nusra Front rolls and grows, surpassing all visions and the deep coordination between the two terrorist groups.
Al-Nusra is the newest model of al-Qaeda branches while the ISIL is considered the traditional heir to al-Qaeda leaders such as Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
On the level of the limited organizational differences between the two sides, the ISIL seeks to achieve a victory on a global level, while the Front is looking for a victory that strengthens its position within the organization [al-Qaeda], even at the level of Syria and Lebanon.
The clashes spread to reach areas in the countryside of Southern al-Hasakah, between groups allied with the "al-Nusra" as a group calling itself the "Originality and Development Front" on one hand and the "ISIL" on the other hand.
They attempted to control the Mrkada village, located about 100 km south of the al-Hasakah and adjacent to the administrative borders of Deir al-Zor.
The conflict in that region extends for more than a month, after continuous clashes between the two organizations. They both used all kinds of weapons and even car bombs. Weeks ago, al-Nusra launched a an attack on the ISIL militants in the highlands of Hamma in south of al-Hasakah. This prompted the latter to attack the Markdh town, to ensure control over its way towards Shdaddy and al-Athshana village.
This would allow the ISIL to create a focal point to start battles in countryside of Deir al-Zor's countryside, after withdrawing from it following the clashes with al-Nusra.
For its part, al-Nusra is defending Markdh ie the town located on the supply route coming from Turkey through Abu Khashab town.
These clashes cost the "ISIL" a lot, ie more than 50 militant dead, including the so-called military official Farouk Abu Turki, and a number of its leaders, mostly belonging the so-called "the Libyan al-Battar Brigade".
Earlier, the al-Nusra Emir in the Bokamal, Ahmed Khalif lasmail [Abu Jandal] was killed. Similar was the fate of al-Nusra religious Emir in Deir al-Zour, Yousef al-Hajir, and Walid Agda Farhan known as the military commander of al-Muta Islamic Army. This led to a toll that ranged between 200 to 250 dead militants from both sides.
The clashes and battles south of al-Hasakah, specifically in the town of Markdh to reach Sour, didn't end yet.
Thus, it caused a deterioration in the humanitarian situation for the residents of the area significantly. The areas are free of locals after the militants announced them as military zones.
The residents fled to safer areas towards the countryside or the city of Deir al-Zor or Shaddadi.
It is worth mentioning that Markdh was among the first towns that witnessed the armed groups' bombings against the Syrian army in al-Hasakah, at the end of the 2011.
19 soldiers were killed after the bombing rocked the town's main bridge.
Source: Al-Ahednews
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