Seven local councils in the Eastern Ghouta called on Jaish al-Islam to end its offensive in the embattled suburbs and to end the fighting with rival groups, saying the main loser will be civilians and nothing else, according to statement issued Tuesday.
The civil councils urged the powerful Islamist group to withdraw from territory it had taken during the week from Hayat Tahrir al-Sam and Faylaq al-Rahman where the attack left at least 120 fighters dead.
The statement has also urged Jaish al-Islam to end tyranny in Eastern Ghouta.
Spokesman for powerful Jaish al-Islam group said no orders give to open fire on protests in the Eastern Ghouta as death toll of the 4-day fighting with rival Islamist group topped 120, according to Ammar’s reporter.
Local activists surfaced on social media footage showing Islam army fighters opening fire on peaceful protest demanding end of the infighting in Irbin town, such an incident recalled the first days of the Syrian revolution when regime security opened fire on civilians of Daraa city.
Mohamed Abu Haitham, Irbin-based activist, said Islam Army wanted to re-impose its power regardless any other reasons behind the offensive.
Hamza Bairiqdar, the senior commander in Islam Army, said fighters who opened fire will be hold to accountability.
Bairiqdar has also assured to Zaman al-Wasl that his group will eliminate any presence for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in the embattled eastern suburb of Damascus.
The spokesman sid we will not let the former al-Qaeda’s group in Syria to repeat Aleppo scenario. Eastern Ghouta will not fall to regime favor, he added.
Jaish al-Islam said Tahrir al-Sham was planning to launch major attack and many hidden weapon depots were discovered.
“Our war is against Thrir al-Sham only, not against Faylaq al-Rahman fighters who refuse to stay aside,” spokesman said.
Jaish al-Islam accused Tahrir al-Sham of kidnapping its reinforcements while it were heading to Qaboun district northeast of Damascus, such allegation sparked fierce fighting since Thursday.
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 offensive 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 Ammar Johmani 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.
During the fighting, regime and allied forces attacked the rebel-held district of Qaboun northwest of Eastern Ghouta by land and air.
The regime, which is backed by Russian air power and Iranian-backed militias, launched an offensive against Qaboun and neighboring Barza, which are believed to contain supply tunnels for the besieged enclave, in February.
Government forces advanced slightly in Qaboun Friday, the Observatory said
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.
More than half million people live in the eastern suburbs of Damascus who have been endured to severe siege an constant aerial bombing the six-year old war
