Activists: Rebel groups kidnap in Syria's Aleppo

[May 18, 2013]  BEIRUT (AP) -- Syrian activists say that a wave of tit-for-tat kidnappings between rival Islamic militant groups in the northern city of Aleppo risks sparking large-scale internal fighting between rebels.

Rami Abdul-Rahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Saturday that a coalition known as the Judicial Council had accused another rebel force, the Ghurabaa al-Sham, of robbing factories in Aleppo's industrial neighborhood.

He said the two groups clashed on Tuesday and the Judicial Council is now holding Ghurabaa al-Sham members captive. The Ghurabaa al-Sham is also holding Judicial Council members.

Aleppo-based activist Mohammed Saeed said Ghurabaa al-Sham withdrew its fighters from several neighborhoods, including the industrial area.

Aleppo is Syria's largest city and is split between rebel and government control.

[Associated Press]

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