(Zaman Al Wasl)- Qalamoun Shield, a pro-regime militia, has become a key unit in the major offensive on besieged Eastern Ghouta suburbs near the capital, local activists said.
The group that formed from local fighters has been suffering heavy looses, activist Ahmed Yabroudi told Zaman al-Wasl, as the opposition factions show fierce resistance in Harasta suburb where they surround about 250 soldiers in the strategic Armored Vehicle Base.
The regime loyalists voiced doubts over Sunni militias, saying never will be loyal to Bashar al-Assad. Last week, activists said one of Qalamoun Shield fighters carried out a suicide bombing in the ranks of Republican Guard units in Harasta, killing and wounding dozen.
Most of the Shield fighters were recruited after reaching reconciliation deals in Qalamoun region.
Eastern Ghouta is one of the last remaining opposition strongholds in Syria and has itself been under regime siege since 2013, causing severe food and medicine shortages for up to 400,000 residents.
Eastern Ghouta is one of four "de-escalation zones" agreed by Russia, as well as regime backer Iran and rebel supporter Turkey, to help halt fighting around Syria.
The war in Syria has killed more than 470,000 people and displaced millions from their homes since it began in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.
Zaman A Wasl
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