(By Abu Abdullah al-Horani; Translation by Yusra Ahmed)
The situation in Syrian south has been changed since the beginning of this year, started when infighting erupted in Yarmouk area south Daraa province between al-Qaeda local wing the Nusra Front and Yarmouk Martyrs, under claims the brigade pledged allegiance to the Islamic State secretly, as well as mutual accusations between both sides of assassination and abduction.
Conflict continued for many days, until prominent military and tribal figures mediated reconciliation and a fragile truce was agreed.
As expected the truce did not last long, and conflict erupted again in the beginning of May this year, but this time more than 15 fighting groups and battalions either Islamic or from the Free Syrian Army “FSA” supported Nusra Front.
In order to have close and better idea about the conflict, Zaman al-Wasl talked to Abo Ali al-Baridi, the leader of Brigade of Yarmouk Martyrs, as he explained the brigade's point of view.
Al-Baridi, known as “Al-Khal” explained that main reason of conflict between them and Nusra front was Nusra's manipulation of Islam and its rules, and the front used them to achieve its goal, when they discovered the front’s plans, it killed “Abo Mohammed al-Masalmeh” and his partners, which was the spark of the conflict.
Al-Khal confirmed that they would continue fighting to apply God’s rule and Sharea whoever the enemy was. He was confident of victory even if many battalions supported Nusra Front.
The commander of Yarmouk Martyr battalion denied any connection with the Islamic state or swearing allegiance, and considered such accusation as an excuse to justify fighting them.
Al-Khal confirmed that he would go with any attempt aiming to save lives and stop conflict, mentioning that their battalion was the one requested reconciliation to stop fighting, but the other party had not agreed yet.
Al-Baridi mentioned that many battalions were fighting beside Nusra Front because it cannot defeat them on its own like: Ahrar al-Sham, Ghorfet Fateh al-Sham, Fajr al-Islam, Yarmouk Army, Forqan Brigades, al-Omari Brigades, Salah-eddin Brigade, Homs al-Walid Brigade, Falojet Horan and Islam Army and many more.
Al-Khal mentioned that Nusra Front considered most battalions supporting it as disbelievers, but they put them in that battle to get rid of them.
The commander rejected accusation of not participating in the battle of liberating Horan, which is considered similar to the Islamic State’s acts when it refuses to fight with other groups on ground.
He added that they tried to keep their leaders and fighters’ lives, as they became subject to assassination.
The commander summarized the military situation: “there are exaggeration of Nusra Front’s achievements, in fact we have not lost any of our sites, except East al-Alan and town of Saham Jolan, which are not within areas under our control, but we decided to withdraw from them to protect civilians’ lives.
Moreover, we have only 10 fighters killed and 8 wounded, but Nusra Front’s attacks caused death of many innocent civilians resulting from heavy shelling on villages like Shajara, Ain Dakar and Nafiaa”.
In the end, al-Khal confirmed that they do not accuse any one of disbelief, and they are not the only Islamic trend. “I feel sorry for Horan as it welcomed the stranger and left it to spoil our people’s minds and I request Horan’s people to wake up to stop killing their sons
The situation in Syrian south has been changed since the beginning of this year, started when infighting erupted in Yarmouk area south Daraa province between al-Qaeda local wing the Nusra Front and Yarmouk Martyrs, under claims the brigade pledged allegiance to the Islamic State secretly, as well as mutual accusations between both sides of assassination and abduction.
Conflict continued for many days, until prominent military and tribal figures mediated reconciliation and a fragile truce was agreed.
As expected the truce did not last long, and conflict erupted again in the beginning of May this year, but this time more than 15 fighting groups and battalions either Islamic or from the Free Syrian Army “FSA” supported Nusra Front.
In order to have close and better idea about the conflict, Zaman al-Wasl talked to Abo Ali al-Baridi, the leader of Brigade of Yarmouk Martyrs, as he explained the brigade's point of view.
Al-Baridi, known as “Al-Khal” explained that main reason of conflict between them and Nusra front was Nusra's manipulation of Islam and its rules, and the front used them to achieve its goal, when they discovered the front’s plans, it killed “Abo Mohammed al-Masalmeh” and his partners, which was the spark of the conflict.
Al-Khal confirmed that they would continue fighting to apply God’s rule and Sharea whoever the enemy was. He was confident of victory even if many battalions supported Nusra Front.
The commander of Yarmouk Martyr battalion denied any connection with the Islamic state or swearing allegiance, and considered such accusation as an excuse to justify fighting them.
Al-Khal confirmed that he would go with any attempt aiming to save lives and stop conflict, mentioning that their battalion was the one requested reconciliation to stop fighting, but the other party had not agreed yet.
Al-Baridi mentioned that many battalions were fighting beside Nusra Front because it cannot defeat them on its own like: Ahrar al-Sham, Ghorfet Fateh al-Sham, Fajr al-Islam, Yarmouk Army, Forqan Brigades, al-Omari Brigades, Salah-eddin Brigade, Homs al-Walid Brigade, Falojet Horan and Islam Army and many more.
Al-Khal mentioned that Nusra Front considered most battalions supporting it as disbelievers, but they put them in that battle to get rid of them.
The commander rejected accusation of not participating in the battle of liberating Horan, which is considered similar to the Islamic State’s acts when it refuses to fight with other groups on ground.
He added that they tried to keep their leaders and fighters’ lives, as they became subject to assassination.
The commander summarized the military situation: “there are exaggeration of Nusra Front’s achievements, in fact we have not lost any of our sites, except East al-Alan and town of Saham Jolan, which are not within areas under our control, but we decided to withdraw from them to protect civilians’ lives.
Moreover, we have only 10 fighters killed and 8 wounded, but Nusra Front’s attacks caused death of many innocent civilians resulting from heavy shelling on villages like Shajara, Ain Dakar and Nafiaa”.
In the end, al-Khal confirmed that they do not accuse any one of disbelief, and they are not the only Islamic trend. “I feel sorry for Horan as it welcomed the stranger and left it to spoil our people’s minds and I request Horan’s people to wake up to stop killing their sons
Zaman Al Wasl
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