The Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) has reportedly detained 11 people suspected of collusion with Iran’s regime following investigations into the abduction of an Ahawzi dissident, Habib Chaab, by criminals working on behalf of Iran’s regime.

Casting aside U.S. concerns about aiding extremist groups, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have converged on an aggressive new strategy to bring down Syrian President Bashar Assad.

The two countries — one a democracy, the other a conservative kingdom — have for years been at odds over how to deal with Assad, their common enemy. But mutual frustration with what they consider American indecision has brought the two together in a strategic alliance that is driving recent rebel gains in northern Syria, and has helped strengthen a new coalition of anti-Assad insurgents, Turkish officials say.