ISIS, Nusra clash near Lebanon border as Syrian strikes kill 11
Syrian army airstrikes against militant positions across the border from Lebanon's northeastern town of Arsal killed 11 and wounded 17 Wednesday, a high-ranking Lebanese security source said, as clashes raged between rival jihadi groups in the Qalamoun region, The Daily Star reported.
The source said ISIS and Nusra Front militants were fighting at three areas in Syria's rugged Qalamoun region along the border with Lebanon.
Nusra, Al-Qaeda's official affiliate in Syria, has had an on-again, off-again relationship with ISIS since the two had a falling out last year over loyalties when ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi tried to absorb Nusra.
Militants from both groups are holding about 25 Lebanese soldiers and policemen on the outskirts of Arsal, where the groups remain allied.
The groups are thought to be keeping the hostages in two different locations, but have taken a uniform position over negotiations with Lebanon.
But the clashes signal a further deterioration of their relations after reports emerged of enhanced cooperation between the two in the wake of U.S.-led coalition airstrikes in Syria three months ago.
Meanwhile Syria's air force struck several locations east of Arsal, the source added.
He said the airstrikes resulted in 11 deaths and 17 wounded, and occurred on the Syrian side of the border. The source did not know the affiliations of those killed.