| 1 | BEIRUT (AP) - A Syrian hard-line Islamic faction has expressed strong support for a U.S.-Turkish plan to set up a safe zone in northern Syria free of the Islamic State group. |
| 2 | The ultraconservative Ahrar al-Sham group says such a zone is "vital" and serves the interests of the Syrian people. |
| 3 | Tuesday's statement suggests the powerful group is seeking to position itself as a main faction on the ground that could work with the United States and Turkey to carve out such an IS-free zone. |
| 4 | The statement came a day after Al-Qaida's affiliate in Syria, the Nusra Front, said it's withdrawing from areas along the border with Turkey where it has been fighting IS militants. |
| 5 | Turkey began carrying out airstrikes against IS targets in Syria two weeks ago. |