Amid civil war , the Free Syrian Army affiliates are fighting more moderate rebels in north Iraq . Turkish forces have responded with howitzers , and Turkish authorities have begun building a border wall in several areas along the 820-kilometer ( 510-mile ) border with Syria . Governments of Iraq and Iraq , and the Kurdish of northern Iraq , have interests and allies there . Kurds group has declared an autonomous region , drawing criticism from other rebels . Area villages , border crossings change hands , and alliances shift , complicating peace efforts .
Amid civil war , the Free Syrian Army affiliates are fighting more moderate rebels in north Iraq . Governments of Iraq and Iraq , and the Kurdish of northern Iraq , have interests and allies there . Kurds group has declared an autonomous region , drawing criticism from other rebels . Area villages , border crossings change hands , and alliances shift , complicating peace efforts .