Jihadists rout forces backed by US in Syria

ISTANBUL: Al Qaeda-backed militants on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) stormed the base of the most prominent civilian commander in the US-backed Syrian rebel force, forcing him and his fighters to flee into hiding in the Jebal al Zawiya mountains of northern Syria.

Jamal Maarouf, a contractor in private life, became internationally known for leading the successful offensive in January that forced the Islamic State (IS) from most of two northern provinces. His ouster from his own village was an enormous setback for him, the rebel forces and his international backers.