IS slaughters top Syrian army defector near Raqqa

 (Zaman Alwasl)- Radical Islamic State group on Sunday have beheaded top Syrian army defectors in al-Tabqa near Raqqa.

General Mahmoud Shlash, 55, former head of Southern region in Syrian Army were beheaded by IS fighters, activists said.   

Since joining the conflict in Syrian in spring 2013, IS has seized control of almost all of Raqa and Deir Ezzor provinces on the border with Iraq, where it has waged a devastating offensive since June. 

IS initially has been fighting Syria’s opposition, including more moderate rebels and Al-Nusra Front fighters.

But its abuses and harsh brand of religion prompted a backlash from rebel groups that pushed it out of many opposition-held areas earlier this year. (With agencies)