Syria: Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) jihadists retreat from northern Syria
Radical jihadists have begun withdrawing from parts of northern Syria after a threat from rivals, to try to protect their stronghold in the east of the war-ravaged country.
The main bloc in Syria’s opposition in exile, meanwhile, announced it would rejoin the umbrella coalition it split from in a bid to close ranks against the regime.
Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al-Nusra Front has threatened the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant with all-out war if it does not submit by Saturday to mediation by an Islamic court over allegations ISIL assassinated an Islamist commander close to Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri.