East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (April–May 2016)

This article is about the inter-rebel conflict in East Ghouta. For the concurrent government offensive, see Rif Dimashq offensive (April 2016).

The Battle of East Ghouta (April–May 2016) was an armed conflict between the rebel coalition of Jaish al-Fustat, consisting of the al-Nusra Front and Faylaq al-Rahman on one side and the rebel group Jaysh al-Islam on the other in the rebel-held territories east of Damascus. Tensions between the two groups took place since March 2016, when Faylaq al-Sham expelled JaI in Zamalka after absorbing the Ajnad al-Sham Islamic Union in February.

Prelude – Clashes in Jisreen

On 18 April 2016, the al-Rahman Legion launched an attack on Jaysh al-Islam headquarters in the town of Jisreen, capturing the headquarter.

Open conflict

Fighting starts

On 28 April, Faylaq al-Sham and Jaish al-Fustat attacked JaI positions in 6 towns in eastern Ghouta, including al-Qabun and Zamalka, resulting in the former's air defence brigade defecting to Jaysh al-Islam. Ahrar ash-Sham denied involvement in the conflict and remained neutral. Due to the fighting the residents of East Ghouta demonstrated, calling for an end of rebel infighting.

Attack on Misraba and ceasefire

On 8 May, Jaish al-Fustat, Jabhat al-Nusra, and Faylaq al-Rahman attacked the Jaysh al-Islam-held village of Misraba. By this time JaI mainly controls the northern areas of East Ghouta while JaN controls the south. JaI also raided several pharmacies and a doctor was killed by stray bullets. By the next day, a ceasefire agreement was signed which mandated JaI to withdraw from Misraba, which would then be controlled by a neutral police force. Still, despite the declared ceasefire, fighting continued and by 17 May, more than 500 fighters on both sides and a dozen civilians had been killed in the fighting in East Ghouta. A new ceasefire agreement was declared on 24 May 2016.