TWO FACTIONS in the Western-backed Syrian insurgency were fighting on opposite sides yesterday as Damascus militants helped the government army defeat an Islamic State (Isis) offensive.

Al Masdar News reported that army forces allowed a contingent of Army of Islam guerillas to travel from their stronghold in Ghouta, east of the capital, to Al-Dumayr, in the east of the province, where other members of the same group are fighting Isis.

And yesterday morning Syrian air force jets blitzed Isis units attacking Army of Islam positions in Jabal Ruhaybeh, helping their erstwhile enemies repel the assault.