Syrian rebels consider joining al Qaeda

Rebel fighters squaring off against Syrian government troops in brutal fighting near the city of Aleppo could turn to al Qaeda for support if Western powers do not take military action against President Bashar Assad.

“We don’t want al-Qaeda here, but if nobody else helps us, we will make an alliance with them,” Abu Ammar, a rebel commander stationed in Aleppo, told Reuters on Thursday. …

Fighters from al Qaeda’s Iraqi faction have been streaming into the country over the past year, looking to take advantage of the brewing civil war between government troops and paramilitary forces loyal to Assad and rebel forces battling to oust the longtime Syrian president.