Death of Syrian rebel leader in air strike is setback for opposition

Backed by local defense forces and Syrian and Russian air forces, the army has carried out successful battles against terrorist groups in several Syrian provinces, namely the countryside of the capital Damascus, southern provinces of Daraa and Swaida, central provinces of Homs and Hama as well as the northern provinces of Latakia and Aleppo, a statement said.

Alloush, the head of the Islamist group Jaish al-Islam, has been trying to paint himself as a relative moderate in recent days, and other rebels say he was destined to “play a crucial role” in post-war Syria.

The Army of Islam took part earlier this month in an opposition meeting held in Saudi Arabia to agree on an opposition delegation that would negotiate with government representatives in planned peace talks.

The delay deals a blow to United Nations efforts to end a years-long government siege of parts of the city controlled by a patchwork of rebel groups that has impeded the flow of food and humanitarian aid, starving many people to death. Assad’s government regards the rebels as terrorists and had said it would not negotiate with them, though on Thursday it appeared to soften that stand.

The extremist tendencies of Jaysh Al Islam have presented a challenge to the broader Syrian opposition as it gears up for peace talks.

Alloush, born in 1971, was an active Syrian rebel leader during Syria’s almost five years of conflict.

The Syrian army claimed responsibility for the airstrike that killed Alloush, although many among the opposition blamed Russian Federation.

Those moved are expected to include members of the Islamic State (IS) group and Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al-Nusra Front.

The Syrian army said Alloush was killed as the result of intelligence on the ground.

“Forces of Jaish al-Islam have infiltrated into security headquarters of pro-Assad troops in Joubar neighborhood in Damascus and detonated a large amount of explosives”, the leadership of Jaish al-Islam said.

In a setback for Syrian peace talks, the Islamic State group’s retreat from the suburbs of Damascus was delayed Saturday, according to a human rights monitor. Most recently, Isis – also referred to as either Daesh or the Islamic State – took controls of parts of the camp.

Defence experts say disarray in rebel forces could consolidate Assad’s control over the rest of al-Ghouta, which has been besieged by his forces for several years and has been the target of intensive raids on civilian-populated areas.

Abu Hammam al-Buwaidani will now lead the group, which confirmed Alloush was killed during a meeting of rebel commanders east of Damascus.

Government supporters also celebrated his death, blaming his group for regularly shelling residential areas in Damascus.

The authenticity of the message, posted yesterday on Twitter accounts that have published Islamic State statements in the past, could not be verified.

“About 1,200 people were supposed to leave today (Saturday), but the death ofZahran Alloush means we are back to square one”, he said.

In northern Syria Saturday, a coalition of Kurdish and Arab groups seized the key Tishreen Dam on the Euphrates and seven villages on the river’s eastern bank from ISIS.