Syria: who are the rebel groups fighting against Assad?

Islamic State militants and Assad's forces encircle Aleppo in what could be tipping point of civil war

Syrian rebels take cover behind a barricade in Aleppo
(Image credit: JM LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Islamic State militants and Syrian government forces are said to be encircling the key city of Aleppo, in what some believe could be a tipping point in the three-year civil war.

Moderate rebels seized parts of Aleppo, the largest city in Syria, in 2012 but are now surrounded by hostile forces. If they are forced out it would leave the moderates without a significant presence in any Syrian city and could be the "death blow" to their revolt against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, which began in 2011, says the Wall Street Journal.

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