Rivalry in Jendires | Tense calm prevails after interference of interposition forces of the National Army’s factions
Aleppo Province – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: Syrian Observatory activists have monitored tense calm prevailing in Jendires district in Afrin countryside following the fierce, this evening, among military groups of “Jaysh Al-Sharqiyyah” during which heavy weapons were used. This tense calm comes after interposition forces of factions operating under the banner of the Turkish-backed “National Army” interfered to defuse the tension in the district.
A few hours ago, SOHR sources reported violent clashes among military groups of Jaysh Al-Sharqiyyah in Jendires district in Afrin countryside in north-west Aleppo. According to SOHR sources, the fight, which started with light weapons, evolved to clashes with heavy machineguns and RPGs in residential neighbourhoods. The reasons behind these clashes remained unknown.
SOHR sources reported earlier today that tense calm continued in the city of Afrin, north-west of Aleppo, along with a state of alertness by both “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiya” and “Jaysh Islam” factions, as “Jaysh Islam” held the funeral for two members killed yesterday in violent clashes with “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiya” in the city.
The commander of “Jaysh Islam” gave a speech during the funeral, threatening “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiya” and vowing to avenge his members, and called “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiya” “scum.”
Meanwhile, the commander of the “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiya” appeared in a video, saying to his members that “the main enemy of us is the regime and every rebel fights the regime is a brother to us.”
Yesterday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitored relative calm in the city of Afrin, following fierce clashes between Jaish al-Islam and the “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah”, where it was agreed to form a committee of three sheikhs to decide on the dispute between two groups of the “National Army.”
The committee called for the arrest of the perpetrators and the leaders of the two headquarters in order to complete the investigation and hold the perpetrators accountable, according to a statement of which SOHR obtained a copy.
SOHR activists had documented the death of two members of “Jaysh Al-Islam” and injury of 12 others due to an attack by “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah” on headquarters of “Jaysh Al-Islam” near “Kawa Al-Haddad” roundabout in Afrin city centre in the north-western Aleppo.
According to SOHR sources, the reason behind this clashes was the prosecution of a displaced young man from eastern Ghouta by “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah”, as the young man sought protection in Jaysh Al-Islam’s headquarters in Afrin city. The prosecution evolved to an attack by “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah” on headquarters of “Jaysh Al-Islam” and outbreak of fierce clashes with light and heavy weapons. It is worth noting that tension was growing in the city as both sides brought in military reinforcement, while several factions of the Turkish-backed “National Army” interfered to defuse the tension between the two sides.
According to SOHR sources, the two sides used heavy weapons in residential neighbourhoods. Meanwhile, both sides brought in military reinforcement to the city. However, the reasons behind this fight remained unknown.