Syrian regime forces on Monday have disturbed Russia’s efforts to sign a de-escalation agreement in Eastern Qalamoun, preventing the the Russian delegation from entering the rebel-held region, activists said.
Rebels have accused the regime of undermining the deal over its own efforts to reach reconciliation agreement dismantling rebels from their power whereas the de-escalation zone deals show rebels as powerful counterparts to Assad, according to the local activists.
A military source told Ammar Johmani that representatives of the Martyr Ahmed al-Abdu forces, Jaish al-Islam, al-Rahman Legion had met with a senior Russian officer and American officers last week.
During the meeting, they reached an agreement that the resistance held cities and towns of the Eastern Qalamoun would be included within the map of the specific places subject to the de-escalation zones.
The source added that the agreement includes al-Ruhaiba, Jayroud, al-Nasiriyah and al-Dumayr.
The agreement is an official recognition that the Syrian resistance factions effectively control this area.
A committee in charge of negotiating for the towns of Jeroud and al-Ruhaiba reached an incomplete agreement with the regime in the presence of a Russian delegation last July. The agreement stipulated a mutual ceasefire in both cities as well as other neighboring towns for a trial period of two months which is renewable.
Although the resistance factions agreed with the Russian delegation on the terms of the agreement at the time, but the regime sought to put obstacles, evade the negotiations and bypass the Russian sponsor. The regime has until this time, not issued any official response to the proposed items, while the area of eastern Qalamoun witnesses a general calm on all its fronts with the regime. At the same time, many of the people from the area continue to be harassed and arbitrarily arrested when passing through regime checkpoints set up at the entrances of cities since mid-2013.
