Islamist rebel groups in Syria have signed a joint statement asking al-Qaeda fighters in the north to pull back from their confrontation with another rebel faction, underscoring the gradual emergence of a new, Salafist-leaning middle ground within the disparate ranks of the armed opposition.

Six factions, including Ahrar al-Sham and the recently-formed Jaish al-Islam coalition, called on the hardline Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (Isis) and the local Northern Storm Brigade to cease fighting in Azaz and settle their differences in an Islamic court.

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The attack began Thursday with a suicide bomber detonating a car bomb outside the compound of militant commander Nabi Hanfi, followed by militants launching an assault with guns.

The attack killed at least 15 people.

Hanfi, who reportedly survived the attack, was the leader of an anti-Taliban militia he formed after breaking away from the Taliban in 2009. He had been battling the Pakistani Taliban in the Orakzai tribal area and had been supported by the Pakistani government, local sources reported.

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Residents of Mahaday informed Shabelle radio station in Mogadishu that a heavy war between Alshabab fighters and government forces aided by AMISOM troops occurred today in the newly liberated district.

The fighting sparked when Alshabab fighters attacked troops who were at that time based in the area.

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An al-Qaeda affiliated group in Iraq has claimed responsibility for a series of bombings that killed dozens of people across Baghdad Province.

In a statement released late on Monday, the al-Qaeda-inspired Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, took responsibility for the bombings which “simultaneously hit selected targets.”

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Insurgents launched a fresh attack on the Malian army in the rebel bastion of Kidal on Monday, the military said, in renewed fighting since the breakdown of peace talks.

The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA), which is fighting for autonomy in northern Mali, ambushed soldiers at a central bank, the scene of a fierce firefight on Sunday night, a senior Malian army officer said.

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Boko Haram gunmen on Sunday opened fire in the hostel of the School of Agriculture, Gujba, Yobe State, killing at least 40 students while asleep.

It was the latest blood-chilling violence in Nigeria’s north east state of Yobe. Gujba is about 30kms from Yobe’s capital of Damaturu.

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At least 42 people were killed and 63 wounded in violent attacks in Iraq Sunday, government sources said.

Up to 30 people were killed and about 40 wounded in a suicide bombing attack at a mosque in Mussaiyb town, 50 km south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad Sunday, police said.

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