Sixteen different rebel groups in Syria have issued an announcement that they intend to work with rebel group Ahrar al-Sham to fight the salafist rebel group Jund al-Aqsa.The communique was published via Twitter the same day as a YouTube video emerged of a rebel leader describing a ‘coalition’ force that would break the siege of Aleppo.

“God willing, the battle for Aleppo is very close and the camps of all the (rebel) factions are gathering, with (Harakat Nour al-Din) al-Zenki, Nusra (Jabhat Fateh al-Sham), Ahrar al-Sham – all of them as one army,” said Molham Ekaidi, a leader of the Fastaqim Union.

“Inside and outside Aleppo, we will fight as one.”

Fighting between Ahrar al-Sham and Jund al-Aqsa has intensified in the area around Idlib in recent days, with graphic footage emerging of Jund al-Aqsa allegedly murdering prisoners.