Militants belonging to the Islamic State have withdrawn from areas north of Syria’s Homs after coming under attack from rival Islamist fighters, Reuters reports. ISIS fighters withdrew from a headquarters on the orders of their leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Sunday.
According to Reuters, ISIS gave up territory after a fierce battle with al-Nusra Front fighters. Nusra front is al-Qaeda’s official affiliate in Syria and is at odds with ISIS.
ISIS has successfully taken over multiple Iraqi cities and has also made huge gains in Syria. The Assad regime has been accused of avoiding confrontation with ISIS fighters because the group has greatly weakened rival rebel groups who seek to topple Assad.
