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

Part of the Rif Dimashq Governorate campaign and the inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian Civil War

Date	18 April – 24 May 2016 (1 month and 6 days)
Location	East Ghouta, Rif Dimashq Governorate, Syria
Result	Ceasefire

Belligerents

Al-Rahman Legion

1st Brigade

Jaish al-Fustat

Al-Nusra Front
Fajr al-Ummah

Jaysh al-Islam

Air Defense Brigade

Commanders and leaders

Wael Alwan (Al-Rahman Legion spokesman)

Qais a-Shami (JaI spokesman)

Casualties and losses

500–700 fighters on both sides and 12 civilians killed

Al-Rahman Legion

Jaish al-Fustat

Jaysh al-Islam

The East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (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, and the rebel group Jaysh al-Islam, that occurred in the rebel-held territories east of Damascus. Tensions between the two groups took place since March 2016, when Faylaq al-Sham expelled Jaysh al-Islam in Zamalka after absorbing the Ajnad al-Sham Islamic Union in February.

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

On 28 April, Faylaq al-Sham and Jaish al-Fustat attacked Jaysh al-Islam positions in six towns in eastern Ghouta, including Qaboun 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.

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, Jaysh al-Islam mainly controlled the northern areas of East Ghouta, while Jabhat al-Nusra controlled the south. Jaysh al-Islam also raided several pharmacies, and a doctor was killed by stray bullets. By the next day, a ceasefire agreement was signed which mandated Jaysh al-Islam to withdraw from Misraba, which was then to 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.

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