Rebel Commander complains lack of arms in Syria’s eastern battlefields

In special interview with Zaman Alwasl, the leader of the Eastern front in the Free Syrian Army has complained lack of arms and ammunition in the battlefields.

Lieutenant colonel Mohamed Aboud stated that the arms in Deir Ez-Zour does not cover more than 10% of the actual needs, despite arms is distributed equally among the four fronts since 7 months, however the shortage in arms is in supplying from the supporting countries.

Abu Omar (his alias name) confirmed that he had drawn attention to that extremely important point in Istanbul meeting, and literally said to the supporting countries that Deir Ez-Zour’s battle will go for a long time if the FSA was not provided with Red missiles and concourse Anti-Tank, Anti aircraft, cannon and tank shells and Grad rockets.

Aboud shouldered the responsibility of failing controlling and Deir Ez-Zour’s airport till now to that shortage of support.

Controlling Raqqa by The Islamic State in Iraq and The Levant last March was surprising and not expected, and FSA was not at the time in Raqqa, therefore was not ready to control the city, Aboud said.

Rebels have tried their best to avoid fighting with ISIL despite its interests go in line with the regime, the commander revealed, because the FSA do not want to do what the regime wants, as he considered overthrowing the regime is the priority. The lieutenant Colonel added that many battalions are reluctant to fight ISIS for the same reason.

The Eastern leader is optimistic in victory, but he expected it to take long time.

In relevant development to the eastern fighting front,  the Islamic Movement of Ahrar al-Sham denied claims of making advances in 17th base in Raqqa, according to  Zaman Alwasl source.

Social media activists have circulated news of defeating Assad’s army near Raqqa city but this news is not true, the source say.

Rebels controlled ‘60% of the base months ago but the situation now is stable; for full control rebel fighters need arms and ammunition especially the anti-crafts and tanks, the assured

An estimated 120,000 people have been killed and more than 2.5 million displaced by Syria's civil war, which erupted after a fierce government crackdown on pro-democracy protests first held in March 2011.

Read the original post; translation by Yusra Ahmed