Key opposition factions in Eastern Ghouta have formed a joint military operations room in Marj as-Sultan on Tuesday, December 15, according to an official statement published via social media.
Rebel leaders held a meeting on Monday evening, declaring the formation of the room in order to organize the battle in the region.
The statement stressed that all the available forces would be called to serve the operations room, and that factions have pledged to provide a specific number of fighters equipped with arms and ammunition. Abu Khalid Islam was appointed commander of the room, and Bassam Abu al-Baraa as his deputy.
The new operations room will include the Army of Islam, Ahrar ash-Sham Islamic Movement, ar-Rahman Corps, the Islamic Union of Ajnad ash-Sham and Al-Qaeda’s Nusra Front.
In an interview earlier, a media activist in Eastern Ghouta said that Marj as-Sultan is "the victim of deep differences" between the factions in Ghouta, particularly between the Army of Islam and ar-Rahman Corps, on the one hand, and the Islamic Union of Ajnad ash-Sham, Ahrar ash-Sham and Nusra Front on the other.
Assad's forces have remained in control of the town of Marj as-Sultan, although opposition factions re-seized the military airport on Tuesday.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
