Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood urge 'jihad' against Syrian regime (Photo: Al-Masry Al-Youm)

Jordan's powerful Muslim Brotherhood on Sunday called for "jihad" against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime and support for the rebel army, saying it is "an Islamic duty."

"This duty requires all Muslims to support the [rebel] Free Syrian Army against the aggression of the regime's criminal and brutal forces," Brotherhood leader Hammam Said was quoted as saying in a statement on the group's website.

"The Free Syrian Army must continue to defend its nation and face the crimes of the regime."

The crackdown on protests in Syria have killed more than 6,000 people since March last year.

"Jihad against Assad is an Islamic duty," said Mohamed Abu Fares, a member of the movement's fatwa (religious edict) committee.

"The Syrian people have the right to defend themselves. They must not give up."

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