Damascus: efforts intensify to break siege of southern suburbs

Reporting by Abu Abdullah Al Hourani; Translation by Yusra Ahmed

(Zaman Al Wasl)- A new negotiation team is supposed to meet with the Syrian regime to re-open Babila crossing point to let food in Southern Damascus countryside.

Well-informed sources reported to Zaman al-Wasl that a new reconciliation team would be formed within 3 days to include for the first time representatives from the Free Syrian Army.

 The team would consist of a leader from the Islam Army, a leader of Sham al-Rasool Brigade, the leader of Developing Forces' gathering beside prominent figures in Yalda, babila and Beit Saham.

The team would negotiate with the regime the possibility to re-open Babila-Sidi Addad crossing.

 Activists warn from the consequences of participation in the negotiation team especially the Islam Army, as that might be used in regime’s media as an achievement to them.

Reconciliations and agreements with the regime in regard to the Southern Countryside used to face close doors, as regime frequently closed Babila-Sid Addad crossing point to increase the limits of demands.

Regime knows that 8 towns in Southern Damascus receive supply via that crossing and have no other option but to negotiate and fulfill its demands, especially after many cases of death from hunger.