Top U.S.-backed Commander in Syria Run Out, U.S. Officials Say | The Wall Street Journal

“The growing strength of the Islamic Front prompted the U.S. and its allies to recently hold direct talks with Islamic Front representatives. … U.S. officials said the Islamic Front offered to help protect the headquarters and two warehouse facilities from harder line groups. Then, when the Islamic Front came in and helped secure the sites, “they asserted themselves and said: ‘All right, we’re taking over,’ " a senior U.S. official said.” Full story here.

Also see: US and UK suspend aid to Syria after Islamist fighters seize weapons stores | The Guardian

“The Islamic Front, which comprises six rebel brigades, seized warehouses reportedly containing dozens of anti-aircraft weapons and anti-tank rockets at the Bab al-Hawa crossing on the Turkish border last weekend. The group is backed by Saudi Arabia.”

And: Rights Lawyer Among 4 Abducted in Syria; 2 Journalists Are Also Being Held | The New York Times

“The abductions contribute to fears that the most violent side of the Syrian insurgency is silencing advocates of the freedom and political rights that were the original demands of those protesting against the Assad government in early 2011 and is playing into the hands of the government, which portrays itself as the only alternative to extremist rule.”