The Free Syrian Army vowed today to punish those committing atrocities, as anger mounted at a video showing a rebel filmed apparently cutting out and eating the organs of a soldier.
"Any act contrary to the values that the Syrian people have paid their blood and lost their homes to will not be tolerated, the abuser will be punished severely even if they are associated with the Free Syrian Army," the main rebel group said in a statement.
The gruesome video, in which the rebel fighter leans over a uniformed body, cuts out organs and then holds one up to his mouth, has prompted an outcry around the world and has thrown the spotlight on war crimes allegations against the opposition.
The Free Syrian Army (FSA) said field commanders had been instructed "to begin a prompt investigation into the matter in which the perpetrator will be brought to justice".
Investigations would also be held into whether the rebel in the video is a member of the Free Syrian Army or not, it said.
Time magazine reported that the Syrian rebel at the centre of the row has defended his actions as revenge for regime atrocities.
The magazine said it had talked by Skype with the fighter in the video, whom it identified as Khalid al-Hamad.
