Jaish al-Islam accused Jabhat Fateh al-Sham of kidnapping its reinforcements while it were heading to Qaboun district northeast of Damascus, such allegation sparked fierce fighting left at least 55 fighters on Friday.
Yaser Quwatli, head of the Islam Army’s Political Office, told Zaman al-Wasl that al-Qaeda's former branch in Syria should be blamed for the deadly clashes.
Faylaq al-Rahman Islamist group, partner of Fath al-Sham in the fight, denied the allegation.
In May 2016, more than 300 people were killed in a battle between the two sides.
Imad el-Din Mujahed, the PR in-charge in Tahrir al-Sham, denounced Jaish al-Islam accusations, saying the offensivethat left 30 fighters killed from his group was fully plotted before the attack and harassing reinforcements is such a pretext.
‘’How could few fighters of Tahrir al-Sham kidnapping a military convoy,” he added.
Wael Alwan , spokesman for Faylaq al-Rahman told Zaman al-Wasl that 25 fighters from his group were also killed.
Alwan warned that Jaish al-Slam attack will end by the fall of Qaboun district to favor of regime forces who pressed rapid advanced on Friday. A well it tight the noose on the already besieged suburbs east of the capital.
Mohamed Abu Haitham, Irbin-based activist, said Islam Army wanted to re-impose its power regardless any other reasons behind the offensive.
In its turn, Powerful Ahrar al-Sham movement condemned the infighting between key rebel groups in the eastern suburbs of Damascus, urging for an immediate ‘ceasefire’.
Ahrar al-Sham said in statement Jaish al-Islam stood behind the ongoing fighting in Easten Ghouta, adding that its bastions were stormed by Jaish al-Islam and many members were arrested
