At least 40 fighters from Failaq al-Rahman, key rebel group fighting regime forces in Eastern Ghouta suburbs, have been arrested by powerful Jaish al-Islam militia after storming their bastion near the capital, spokesman said.
Wael Alwan, spokesman for Failaq al-Rahman, said Jaish al-Islam, or Islam Army, had launched major offensive on the Free Syrian army unit in al-Aftaris farms and al-Mohamadiya district. Such a move coincides with another battlefront in Ein Trama and Jobar.
Alwan said the ‘coward’ attack is a new evidence that Islam Army is against the Syrian revolution, and it is a clear sign of conspiracy against moderate rebels.
On Wednesday, Failaq al-Rahman ambushed army’s elite forces for the fourth time in two weeks near the capital, leaving 20 soldiers killed.
The elite forces of Fourth Armoured Division have been facing fierce resistance in Ein Tarma town by rebels who oppose Russia’s ceasefire deal. About 50 troops were killed last week, Alwan said.
Parts of Eastern Ghouta are protected by a cease-fire agreement. The regime has largely targeted areas held by rebel factions not party to that agreement.
Russia's Hemeimim base in coastal Latakia city indicated on its Facebook page the possibility of brokering a new de-escalation deal in Eastern Ghouta.
According to the base, the agreement aims to "stop the bloody battles between the conflicting parties in the eastern part of the capital Damascus in light of the increase in violence and measured by the current results."
It is expected that the agreement will include a time limit for factions in the region to "finalize their fate" without giving further details.
Also, in Ghouta, an aid convoy of food and medical supplies has reached the besieged town of Douma on Thursday as a part of the de-escalation deal brokered by Russia two weeks ago, Local Coordination Committees said.
Along with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, 48 trucks loaded with aid went into Douma with 48 trucks loaded with food rations, health supplies and other emergency items.
