Syria rebel groups seek aid to fight IS jihadists

BEIRUT, July 2 (AFP): Rebel groups from northern and eastern Syria on Wednesday demanded aid from the country's exiled opposition to allow them to fight against the jihadist Islamic State (IS) group.

"We, the leaders of the brigades and battalions... give the National Coalition, the (opposition) interim government, the (rebel) Supreme Military Council and all the leading bodies of the Syrian revolution a week to send reinforcements and complete aid," the statement said.

"Should our call not be heard, we will lay down our weapons and pull out our fighters," it added.

The statement comes three days after IS declared the establishment of a "caliphate" straddling Syria and Iraq, referring to an Islamic system of rule that was abolished nearly 100 years ago.