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 .
Amid civil war , al Qaeda affiliates are fighting more moderate rebels in north Syria . Governments of Turkey and Iraq , and the Kurds of northern Iraq , have interests and allies there . Kurdish group has declared an autonomous region , drawing criticism from other rebels . Area villages , border crossings change hands , and alliances shift , complicating peace efforts .