Syria Protesters Criticize Rebel Free Syrian Army

Demonstrators booed the rebel Free Syrian Army on Friday in regions where Islamist fighters have a strong presence, in videos posted on the Internet by activists.

"Free Army, go to the front lines," protesters in Aleppo's eastern district of Shaar shouted, criticizing FSA fighters who stay behind in rebel strongholds.

Civilians, particularly in northern Syria, have made accusations that some rebels take part in intimidation, extortion and vandalism in "liberated" areas of the country.

"The Free (Syrian) Army are thieves, we want an Islamic army," the demonstrators chanted angrily as they marched through the streets.

Islamist rebel groups in Aleppo province, including the two largest, Liwa al-Tawhid and Al-Nusra Front, have rejected the National Coalition of opposition forces.

A photo posted on an opposition Facebook page earlier this week showed dozens of rebels standing proudly atop a downed regime helicopter, holding only black Islamic flags.

In Anadan, a town near the northern city of Aleppo, protesters chanted: "The people demand the purge of the revolution," apparently referring to infiltration by pro-regime shabiha militiamen.

More than 41,000 people have died in the uprising against President Bashar Assad that broke out in March 2011, according to the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights which relies on a countrywide network of activists and medics.