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Five killed in clashes among Syria militants near Iraq border

14 September 2013 17:46 (UTC +04:00)

The clashes erupted in the Boukamal town on Saturday among the al-Qaeda-linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and other militant groups, the Associated Press reported.

The infighting came after ISIL declared an offensive on Thursday against two militant groups, the Farouq and Nasr Battalions.

ISIL accused the two groups of attacking its forces and suggested they may have even collaborated with the Syrian government.

Al-Qaeda-linked groups have fought deadly battles with other militant groups operating in Syria several times since the beginning of the unrest in the Arab country more than two years ago.

Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey -- are supporting the militants operating in Syria.

According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have been killed and millions displaced due to the violence.