East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (April–May 2016) explained

Conflict:East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (April–May 2016)
Partof:the Rif Dimashq Governorate campaign and the inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian Civil War
Date:18 April – 24 May 2016
Place:East Ghouta, Rif Dimashq Governorate, Syria
Result:Ceasefire
Combatant1:Al-Rahman Legion[1] [2]
  • 1st Brigade

Jaish al-Fustat[3]

Combatant2: Jaysh al-Islam
  • Air Defense Brigade
Commander1:Wael Alwan (Al-Rahman Legion spokesman)[4]
Commander2: Qais a-Shami (JaI spokesman)
Casualties3:500–700 fighters on both sides and 12 civilians killed[5]

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.[6]

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.[7]

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,[8] 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.[3]

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.[9] 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.[10] A new ceasefire agreement was declared on 24 May 2016.[11]

Aftermath

See main article: East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (April–May 2017). In mid-June, a new round of fighting left more than 30 fighters dead on both sides.[12]

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.[13]

Notes and References

  1. Aron Lund, Showdown in East Ghouta, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, may 4, 2016.
  2. Aron Lund, Syria: East Ghouta Turns on Itself, Again, The Century Foundation, may 1, 2017.
  3. Web site: 'Shameful' rebel infighting in East Ghouta leaves residents 'in a state of shock'. Syria:direct. 28 April 2016. 17 May 2016. 29 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160429120644/http://syriadirect.org/news/%E2%80%98shameful%E2%80%99-rebel-infighting-in-east-ghouta-leaves-residents-%E2%80%98in-a-state-of-shock%E2%80%99/. dead.
  4. Web site: East Ghouta infighting over, for now: 'People are tired of both sides'. Syria:direct. 10 May 2016. 17 May 2016. 20 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181220182516/https://syriadirect.org/news/east-ghouta-infighting-over-for-now-%E2%80%98people-are-tired-of-both-sides%E2%80%99/. dead.
  5. Web site: Rebel infighting returns to eastern Ghouta. Izat. Charkatli. 22 July 2016. al-Masdar News. 22 July 2016. 2 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181002184012/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/rebel-infighting-returns-eastern-ghouta/. dead.
  6. Web site: Rebel allies fight each other in east Damascus: monitor. Now News. 1 March 2016. 17 May 2016. 4 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180804201825/https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/566671-rebel-allies-fight-each-other-in-east-damascus-monitor. dead.
  7. Web site: Rebel forces fight one another in rural Damascus. Al-Masdar News. 19 April 2016. 17 May 2016. 11 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190611061946/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-restores-security-barzeh-rebels-fight-one-another-jisreen/. dead.
  8. Web site: Extremist rebels of Faylaq Al-Rahman captures strategic point from Jaysh Al-Islam in rural Damascus. ABNA. 30 April 2016.
  9. Web site: Rebels storm Misraba village as insurgent infighting engulfs East Ghouta. Al-Masdar News. 8 May 2016. 17 May 2016. 11 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190211142532/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/rebels-storm-misraba-village-insurgent-infighting-engulfs-damascus/. dead.
  10. Web site: Syria rebel clashes 'leave 52 dead' in Eastern Ghouta. 2 August 2016. 4 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170204205416/https://www.yahoo.com/news/52-dead-rival-rebel-groups-clash-near-syria-151747763.html. dead.
  11. Web site: Breaking: Rebel factions sign peace deal with each other in East Ghouta, Damascus. Chris. Tomson. 24 May 2016. 2 August 2016. 8 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180708211534/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-rebel-factions-sign-peace-deal-east-ghouta-damascus/. dead.
  12. Web site: أكثر من 30 مقاتلاً قضوا في هجوم لمجموعات من فيلق الرحمن وجبهة النصرة بمنطقة جسرين. user3. 2 August 2016.
  13. Web site: Syrian rebels 'fire on protesters' calling for end to infighting. Middle East Eye. 1 May 2017.