Talks stall over last rebel-held zone in Syria’s Ghouta
Douma, Syria, (MILLAT ONLINE):Talks over the fate of Douma, the final rebel-held zone in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta, have stalled over
divisions within the militant faction that holds the area, a monitor said Monday.
Battered by a five-week regime offensive, two major rebel factions have agreed in recent
days to leave other pockets of Ghouta for opposition-held territory in the country’s northwest
after talks with Russia.
Negotiations are now underway with group Jaish al-Islam, which controls Ghouta’s
largest town, Douma.
Heavy fighting and strikes on the town have largely subsided, but talks have yet to
bear fruit.
“Negotiations are ongoing, but they’ve been delayed by internal differences in the
rebel group,” Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AFP.
“Jaish al-Islam’s commanders are divided and some are opposed to a deal,” he
said.
The deaths of five Syrian soldiers shot by snipers late Saturday was linked to efforts
by hardliners to “sabotage” any kind of reconciliation, he added.