Sources say the recent formation of the Army of Islam, including some 50 Islamist rebel groups but not the al Qaeda-affiliated Al Nusrah Front and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, has come at the urging of Saudi Arabia. ISIL, whose ranks are swelling with non-Syrians, is seeking to consolidate control in the north. An analyst said jihadists have secured more territory in Syria than they did in Afghanistan or Iraq. Al Nusrah, ISIL, and rebel fighters clashed with regime forces in Aleppo; Kurdish YPG fighters attacked ISIL in Aleppo. An Al Nusrah emir was killed fighting with regime forces in Deraa.
