BEIRUT (AP) — Rebels linked to al-Qaida in northern Syria are exposing the weakness of mainstream opposition groups there — the groups that the U.S. is hoping to turn into a fighting force to take on Islamic extremists.

The al-Qaida allies today pressed an offensive against the Western-back rebels, closing in on a vital border crossing with Turkey. The Nusra Front is a bitter rival of the Islamic State group, despite their shared extremist ideology.

The recent surge by the Nusra Front has overrun strongholds of two prominent rebel factions that have been receiving arms and training from the United States. And the collapse of those opposition groups is a significant setback to the U.S. plan to partner with more moderate brigades in order to fight the Islamic State group and other radicals.

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175-c-12-(Diaa Hadid (DEE’-uh hah-DEED’), AP correspondent)-“from Syrian rebels”-AP correspondent Diaa Hadid reports on fears that an extremist militia is preparing to try to take over a key Turkey-Syria border crossing. (3 Nov 2014)

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177-c-16-(Diaa Hadid (DEE’-uh hah-DEED’), AP correspondent)-“Syrian Revolutionary Front”-AP correspondent Diaa Hadid reports that in this latest flashpoint, al-Qaida fighters have launched an offensive on positions belonging to a pro-Western Syrian rebel group. (3 Nov 2014)

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