The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported Sunday that Al Qaeda-affiliated Al Nusra Front announced it will remain neutral in the Yarmouk refugee camp battle between Islamic State Jihadist group (IS) militants and their Palestinian rivals. "We explained to all people that we, in Jabhat al- Nusra in the south of Damascus, stand in impartiality in the ongoing clashes between IS and Aknaf Bayt Al Maqdes in Yarmouk Camp, and we are not the only faction adopting such strategy, Ahrar Al Sham has done the same," Al Nusra said. Al Nusra explained that it made the decision due to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the camp, adding that the camp residents have asked for the group support. April 4, the observatory stated that IS militants seized control over nearly 90 percent of the camp. Yarmouk Camp is an unofficial refugee camp established in 1957 in Damascus, Syria, populated by Palestinians, with hospitals and a school the camp is considered the largest Palestinian refugee community in Syria. Since 2011, the camp has witnessed fierce clashes between the Free Syrian Army, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and terrorist groups.
