Rival groups clash in Syria's rebel-packed Idlib

BEIRUT // Clashes have broken out in northwestern Syria between two of the most powerful insurgent groups, raising fears of widespread violence in the rebel-held province of Idlib.

The ultraconservative Ahrar Al Sham said on Saturday that the Al Qaeda-linked Levant Liberation Committee is sending reinforcements to the town of Saraqeb and the Jabal Al Zawiya region in preparation for an attack.

The Ibaa News Agency of the Levant Liberation Committee meanwhile accused Ahrar Al Sham of setting up checkpoints and detaining one of its commanders and his bodyguard, adding that it had removed the checkpoints later by force.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group, said the clashes late on Friday were concentrated near the village of Tel Touqan.

The two rival groups clashed earlier this year before a truce was reached.