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Confrontation between militants plays into hands of Syrian army
Anna Jaunger
The Syrian Army continues to conduct its successful counter-terrorist operations. On May 14, after heavy fighting against ISIS, the government forces managed to take full control over al-Jarrah in eastern Aleppo. Undoubtedly, not only high spirit, cohesion and unity, but also panic in the ranks of the radicals contributes to the Syrian Army's success.
Thus, recently, the number of violent clashes between various radical groups once acting as a united front against the government of Bashar Assad, has increased. As a result, the real number of casualties among them has already reached hundreds of dead and seriously wounded.
Nowadays, it is reported that the most violent clashes are between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda) and Ahrar al-Sham radical groups in Eastern Ghouta near Damascus. It is also reported about the deaths of more than 30 radicals and the destruction of several units of military equipment. So, during a month of fighting, the both radical groups lost more than one hundred people, including field commanders.
It should be mentioned that the confrontation among the anti-government forces in Eastern Ghouta has significantly weakened the jihadist troops and, has allowed the Syrian army to conduct counter-terrorist operations in Al-Qaboun in Damascus as quickly as possible.
In addition, fierce fighting is also taking place between Jaysh al-Islam and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. According to al-Masdar, militants from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham have recaptured the town of Hazzeh east of Damascus from Jaysh al-Islam. At the same time, both sides suffered significant losses.
It also should be mentioned that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group is also fighting against ISIS in Yarmouk refugee camp. It is noteworthy that military operations are being conducted not only between radical groups, but also between the Free Syrian Army (SSA) and ISIS in the province of Deraa. According to sources from Inside Syria Media Center, the SSA units are cooperating with US-led coalition, whose commanders intend to conduct to a full-scale offensive immediately after the armed opposition formations pushed ISIS terrorists into the territory of Jordan.
It is obvious that the confrontation in the ranks of radicals will only play into the hands of the Syrian army. The government forces' victories that brought serious discord and mutual accusations between the anti-government groups. It is likely that this fact will become a decisive step that will bring the radicals closer to a quick failure.
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Anna Jaunger, freelance journalist from Inside Syria Media Center.
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