East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (April–May 2016)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (April–May 2016) was an armed conflict between the rebel coalition of Jaish al-Fustat, consisting of the al-Nusra Front and Faylaq al-Rahman, and the rebel group Jaysh al-Islam, that occurred in the rebel-held territories east of Damascus. Tensions between the two groups took place since March 2016, when Faylaq al-Sham expelled Jaysh al-Islam in Zamalka after absorbing the Ajnad al-Sham Islamic Union in February.[7]
Prelude – Clashes in Jisreen
On 18 April 2016, the al-Rahman Legion launched an attack on Jaysh al-Islam headquarters in the town of Jisreen, capturing the headquarters.[8]
Open conflict
Fighting starts
On 28 April, Faylaq al-Sham and Jaish al-Fustat attacked Jaysh al-Islam positions in six towns in eastern Ghouta, including al-Qabun and Zamalka,[9] resulting in the former's air defence brigade defecting to Jaysh al-Islam. Ahrar ash-Sham denied involvement in the conflict and remained neutral. Due to the fighting, the residents of East Ghouta demonstrated, calling for an end of rebel infighting.[2]
Attack on Misraba and ceasefire
On 8 May, Jaish al-Fustat, Jabhat al-Nusra, and Faylaq al-Rahman attacked the Jaysh al-Islam-held village of Misraba. By this time, Jaysh al-Islam mainly controlled the northern areas of East Ghouta, while Jabhat al-Nusra controlled the south.[10] Jaysh al-Islam also raided several pharmacies, and a doctor was killed by stray bullets. By the next day, a ceasefire agreement was signed which mandated Jaysh al-Islam to withdraw from Misraba, which was then to be controlled by a neutral police force.[4] Still, despite the declared ceasefire, fighting continued and by 17 May, more than 500 fighters on both sides and a dozen civilians had been killed in the fighting in East Ghouta.[5] A new ceasefire agreement was declared on 24 May 2016.[1]
Aftermath
In mid-June, a new round of fighting left more than 30 fighters dead on both sides.[11]
On 22 July, during a new government offensive in East Ghouta, the Al-Rahman Legion attacked the Jaysh al-Islam-held "Office of Damascus Countryside" in Saqba, resulting in the deaths of nine rebels.[6]
References
- 1 2 3 Tomson, Chris (24 May 2016). "Breaking: Rebel factions sign peace deal with each other in East Ghouta, Damascus". Retrieved 2 August 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 "'Shameful' rebel infighting in East Ghouta leaves residents 'in a state of shock'". Syria:direct. 28 April 2016.
- ↑ Aron Lund, Showdown in East Ghouta, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, may 4, 2016.
- 1 2 3 "East Ghouta infighting over, for now: 'People are tired of both sides'". Syria:direct. 10 May 2016.
- 1 2 "Syria rebel clashes 'leave 52 dead' in Eastern Ghouta - Breitbart". Retrieved 2 August 2016.
- 1 2 Charkatli, Izat (22 July 2016). "Rebel infighting returns to eastern Ghouta". al-Masdar News. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
- ↑ "Rebel allies fight each other in east Damascus: monitor". Now News. 1 March 2016.
- ↑ "Rebel forces fight one another in rural Damascus". Al-Masdar News. 19 April 2016.
- ↑ "Extremist rebels of Faylaq Al-Rahman captures strategic point from Jaysh Al-Islam in rural Damascus". ABNA. 30 April 2016.
- ↑ "Rebels storm Misraba village as insurgent infighting engulfs East Ghouta". Al-Masdar News. 8 May 2016.
- ↑ user3. "أكثر من 30 مقاتلاً قضوا في هجوم لمجموعات من فيلق الرحمن وجبهة النصرة بمنطقة جسرين". Retrieved 2 August 2016.