Activists report fierce battles in eastern Syrian oil-rich province between rival rebel groups

BEIRUT – Activists are reporting heavy fighting between rival jihadi groups in a Syrian oil-rich eastern province that borders Iraq.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says Monday's fighting is concentrated on the eastern parts of the Deir el-Zour province.

An activist based in the province who goes by the name of Abdul-Aziz Sheik says many tribesmen have joined the battle against al-Qaida breakaway group, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

The Islamic State has been clashing with their former allies, the Syrian al-Qaida affiliate known as the Nusra Front, in Deir el-Zour for nearly two week.

The latest fighting between the rival jihadi factions killed more than 230 people and displaced 100,000 according to The Observatory.