More rebel groups reject Syrian opposition coalition
By REUTERS
BEIRUT - More than 30 rebel factions have broken with the Western-backed Syrian opposition organisation and its military wing, according to a video statement posted on the Internet.Though representing a small percentage of the rebel forces, the announcement by dozens of units from different areas across the country further undermines international efforts to build a pro-Western military force to replace President Bashar Assad.The statement read online by rebel officer Ammar al-Wawi cited "the catastrophic failure" of the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) and its military wing, the Supreme Military Council (SMC).It said the groups' withdrawal of support was precipitated by the foreign-based leadership's "marginalization ... from the revolutionary force operating on the ground" and its "deviation from the path of the revolution."
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