NATO-APPROVED Syrian rebels complained yesterday that they have come under fire in Quneitra province, near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, from jihadist groups suspected of links to the Islamic State group (Isis).

Free Syrian Army Southern Front spokesman Isam al-Rayess said that a group known as Jihad Units had ambushed some of his fighters on their way to join an offensive against forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.

Jihad Units militants were said to have raised black flags similar to those carried by Isis.

Six Southern Front fighters were killed in the ambush, said Mr Rayess, while a further two were captured soon after, following another ambush.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that 29 people, including at least nine from the Jihad Units and two Saudi nationals, had been killed in the fighting since Monday.

Mr Rayess said that his men are now besieging about 200 Jihad Units fighters in a village south of Quneitra.