Residents in Raqqa staged on a protest following escalation of violence and infighting between groups of anti-Syria militants in the area, which was faced with a brutal crackdown by al-Qaeda-linked militants.

Videos posted online showed protesters getting shot by militants which left several people injured.

There were mixed reports about causalities of the clashes.

A journalist was run over by militants according to local people’s reports.

Militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorist group have stepped up its activities in Raqqa, trying to bring several areas under their control.

Groups of anti-Syria militants have been engaging in deadly clashes in the past months, trying to seize more shares for their own groups.

Clashes usually cause civilian causalities in areas which are occupied by militants.

SHI/SHI