Syria and Russia have allegedly released a ultimatum demanding Jaish al-Islam and other ‘moderate opposition’ groups to separate from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda) and its allies in the Eastern Ghouta region near Damascus and to leave the areas controlled by the Al-Qaeda linked terrorists.
According to reports, ‘moderate opposition’ groups have to push Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and Faylaq al-Rahman to support the ceasefire implemented in the region. If this is not done, govenment forces, backed up by the Russian military, will launch a military operation compeling militants to make peace in the area.
Earlier this month, HTS and its allies were excluded from a cesasefire imposed in Eastern Ghouta. HTS and Faylaq al-Rahman control a major part of Jobar and Ayn Tarma and some other areas in ther egion.
In total, about 9,000 militants control the area of Eastern Ghouta. However, they are separated into a number of groups with own interests. This is why Moscow and Damascus are able to make ceasefires with one groups and to cotninue operations against others.
If the so-called moderate opposition fails to separate itself from al-Qaeda, the Syrian army will likely relaunch a military operation in Jobar and Ayn Tarma.
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