East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (April–May 2016)
This article will address the topic of East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (April–May 2016), which has gained relevance in recent years due to its impact on different aspects of society. Different perspectives related to East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (April–May 2016) will be explored, from its origins to its influence today. The importance of understanding and analyzing East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (April–May 2016) will be examined to better understand its significance in today's world. In addition, the challenges and opportunities that East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (April–May 2016) presents will be discussed, as well as the possible solutions that arise to address the challenges it represents. In short, this article seeks to offer a broad and enriching vision of East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (April–May 2016), with the aim of encouraging reflection and debate around this topic.
| East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (April–May 2016) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Rif Dimashq Governorate campaign and the inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian Civil War | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| |||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Wael Alwan (Al-Rahman Legion spokesman) |
 Qais a-Shami (JaI spokesman) | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 500–700 fighters on both sides and 12 civilians killed | |||||||
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 al-Rahman Legion, 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 the Rahman Legion expelled Jaysh al-Islam in Zamalka after absorbing the Ajnad al-Sham Islamic Union in February.
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.
Open conflict
Fighting starts
On 28 April, the Rahman Legion and Jaish al-Fustat attacked Jaysh al-Islam positions in six towns in eastern Ghouta, including Qaboun and Zamalka, 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.
Attack on Misraba and ceasefire
On 8 May, Jaish al-Fustat, Jabhat al-Nusra, and al-Rahman Legion 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. 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. 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. A new ceasefire agreement was declared on 24 May 2016.
Aftermath
In mid-June, a new round of fighting left more than 30 fighters dead on both sides.
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.
Between 26 April and 1 May 2017, more than 95 rebels were killed during clashes between Jaysh al-Islam, Tahrir al-Sham, and the Rahman Legion. Jaysh al-Islam fighters opened fire on demonstrators who called for an end to the infighting. The clashes led to Syrian Army advances in eastern Damascus.
References
- ^ Aron Lund, Showdown in East Ghouta, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, may 4, 2016.
- ^ a b c Tomson, Chris (24 May 2016). "Breaking: Rebel factions sign peace deal with each other in East Ghouta, Damascus". Archived from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
- ^ Aron Lund, Syria: East Ghouta Turns on Itself, Again, The Century Foundation, may 1, 2017.
- ^ a b c d "'Shameful' rebel infighting in East Ghouta leaves residents 'in a state of shock'". Syria:direct. 28 April 2016. Archived from the original on 29 April 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ a b c "East Ghouta infighting over, for now: 'People are tired of both sides'". Syria:direct. 10 May 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ a b "Syria rebel clashes 'leave 52 dead' in Eastern Ghouta". Archived from the original on 4 February 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
- ^ a b Charkatli, Izat (22 July 2016). "Rebel infighting returns to eastern Ghouta". al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
- ^ "Rebel allies fight each other in east Damascus: monitor". Now News. 1 March 2016. Archived from the original on 4 August 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Rebel forces fight one another in rural Damascus". Al-Masdar News. 19 April 2016. Archived from the original on 11 June 2019. Retrieved 17 May 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. Archived from the original on 11 February 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ user3. "أكثر من 30 مقاتلاً قضوا في هجوم لمجموعات من فيلق الرحمن وجبهة النصرة بمنطقة جسرين". Retrieved 2 August 2016.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Syrian rebels 'fire on protesters' calling for end to infighting". Middle East Eye. 1 May 2017.