11 of Syria's Rebel Groups Form Islamic Alliance

Eleven of the Syrian rebel groups have split from the rest of the opposition and formed their own alliance.

They are calling themselves the Islamic Alliance and compromise groups belonging to Al Qaeda and other extremist groups.

The eleven groups also consist of as much as seventy-five percent of the rebel's military strength.

Their stated goal is to establish an Islamist state in place of the Syrian regime.

Towards that, they are no longer representing the Syrian opposition council.

This move shows just how strong Islamist extremism is amongst rebel forces.

It also emphasizes how little western influence actually is over the rebels.