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{
  "authors": [
    "Mario Abou Zeid",
    "Mamoun Abu-Nowar",
    "Kamel Wazne"
  ],
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Source: Getty

In The Media
Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

Can Syrian Rebels Unite Against Assad?

An alliance of opposition forces has seized control of a second strategic city from government troops.

Link Copied
By Mario Abou Zeid, Mamoun Abu-Nowar, Kamel Wazne
Published on Apr 26, 2015
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Middle East

The Middle East Program in Washington combines in-depth regional knowledge with incisive comparative analysis to provide deeply informed recommendations. With expertise in the Gulf, North Africa, Iran, and Israel/Palestine, we examine crosscutting themes of political, economic, and social change in both English and Arabic.

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Source: Al Jazeera’s Inside Story

A loose alliance of rebel groups in Syria is claiming a second significant victory against government forces in less than a month. The opposition offensive in northern Idlib province was spearheaded by al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, Nusra Front. Fighting under the banner, “Army of Conquest,” rebel allies seized control of the provincial capital Idlib at the end of March.

A broader union of fighters says it has now overrun nearby Jisr al Shughur. The city was one of the first places to take up arms against president Assad, when security forces cracked down on protests.

The fight for Idlib province comes ahead of UN-backed talks in Geneva on May 4.

So can opposition groups present a united front in the push for peace? Or will the pursuit of different agendas eclipse the fight against a common enemy? Carnegie’s Mario Abou Zeid spoke with Al Jazeera’s Inside Story.

This interview was originally broadcast by Al Jazeera’s Inside Story.

About the Authors

Mario Abou Zeid

Former Research Analyst, Middle East Center

Abou Zeid was a research analyst at the Carnegie Middle East Center, where his work focuses on political developments in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Iran.

Mamoun Abu-Nowar

Kamel Wazne

Authors

Mario Abou Zeid
Former Research Analyst, Middle East Center
Mario Abou Zeid
Mamoun Abu-Nowar
Kamel Wazne
Political ReformSecurityLevantSyriaMiddle East

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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