Amid civil war , al Qaeda affiliates are fighting more moderate rebels in north Syria . But human rights activists claim the Kurds have also targeted Arab villages . Muslims of Iran and Iraq , and the Kurds of northern Syria , have friends and relatives there . Kurdish group has declared an autonomous region , drawing criticism from other rebels . Area villages , border crossings change hands , and borders shift , complicating peace efforts .
Amid civil war , al Qaeda affiliates are fighting more moderate rebels in north Syria . Muslims of Iran and Iraq , and the Kurds of northern Syria , have friends and relatives there . Kurdish group has declared an autonomous region , drawing criticism from other rebels . Area villages , border crossings change hands , and borders shift , complicating peace efforts .