(Zaman Alwasl)- Commander of Soqour al-Sham brigade, in statement posted online, called on rebels loyal to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in Idlib to surrender and to deliver their weapons in a maximum period of 12 hours.
Abu Issa al-Sheikh, top commander in Islamic Front, powerful rebel alliance, ordered fighters of al-Sham Army and Daoud brigade, which were affiliated to Soqour al-Sham, to surrender and to leave their weapons since the latter has pledged allegiance to the 'Islamic caliphate' proclaimed by IS.
Al-Sheikh's statement came in response to a surprise withdrawal by Daoud brigade from Sarmeen town in Idlib to join ISIS in Raqa province.
Syrian rebels, including the main Islamist factions, said last week the creation of a caliphate by ISIS was "null and void", according to AFP.
Leaders of the Islamic Front have publicly criticized the Islamic State for its brutal tactics, and the Islamic Front was among the rebel factions that have battled the al-Qaida-inspired group.
Idlib has been carved up into rebel- and government-controlled areas since opposition fighters launched an offensive in the country's north in mid-2012.
Syria's conflict, now in its fourth year, has killed at least 171,000 people, according to activists, and forced nearly 3 million to flee the country.
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