Rebel infighting near Syria capital kills hundreds

Beirut / AFP

Fighting raging between rival extremist rebel factions to control a key opposition stronghold near Damascus since late last month has killed more than 300 fighters, a monitor said on Sunday.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the clashes in Eastern Ghouta pitted Jaish Al-Islam faction, which has been taking part in peace talks in Geneva, against the Faylaq al-Rahman and Jaish Al-Fustat groups, both led by Al-Nusra Front, Syria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate.
“More than 300 fighters have been killed as extremist rebel factions battle for influence in the Eastern Ghouta,” since April 28, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said. He said most of the rebels killed belonged to Jaish Al Islam or Al Nusra.
Abdel Rahman said the clashes broke out after several attacks launched by Faylaq Al Rahman on positions held by Jaish Al Islam in Eastern Ghouta, a belt of countryside and small towns east of the capital that seen heavy fighting throughout Syria’s five-year-old civil war.