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Source: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/al-qaida-is-not-yet-at-syria-s-gates.premium-1.508052
IDF Sees Continuing Syrian Stalemate
(Ha'aretz) Amos Harel - A senior Israeli defense official said claims that al-Qaeda has taken control of the Syrian-Israeli border zone are a little exaggerated. Factions there identify with some of Bin Laden's ideas, but there is no unified control; it's a mixed bunch of groups that control various villages - and they're busy battling the Syrian army. Assad actually controls only about a quarter of the country, but the opposition forces aren't organized enough to defeat him. The rebels continue to shoot down Syrian air force planes and helicopters, while almost daily the army shoots missiles at rebel-controlled areas. Recently an average of 150 people have been killed every day.