Fighting between rebel factions in Syria is complicating an already complex civil war.<br /><br />While still a broad regional confrontation between Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims – battles between different Islamist factions and non-Islamist rebels are weakening the stance against Syrian government troops.<br /><br />On Sunday fighters loyal to al-Qaeda pulled back from ground near the Turkish border giving way to rival Islamists after sustaining heavy losses in the last few days.<br /><br />Resentment is growing over the intervention of the al-Qaeda loyalists who have foreign jihadists among their leaders and want to build their own Islamic state in Syria.. <br /><br />Meanwhile there are divisions on the political front. <br /><br />Ahmad al-Jarba was re-elected at a congress in Istanbul as leader of the the Western-backed Syrian opposition, but there are other disputes to be resolved.<br /><br />A vote is due on Monday to decide whether to take part in talks with delegates representing President Assad at the Geneva 2 gathering.
