Damascus: people of southern suburbs demand Nusra Front to leave

Translation by Yusra Ahmed 

(Zaman Al Wasl)- People of the rebel-held suburbs of Beit Sahem and Babila south of Damascus have demanded al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front to leave their towns due to the piled abuses and to find a way to break the severe siege that imposed by Syrian regime, activists said Friday.  

1500 people gathered last Friday and shouted in slogans against the Nusra Front and its members’ practices, however hand-fighting and hitting started between protesters and the Front’s members, to follow in shooting and injuries. 

The Nusra Front has increased its alertness with news about closing the entrance of Beit Sahem and Babila by the Free Syrian Army to prevent any support to enter the two towns. Tension is prevailing in the town and bloody clashes are expected, as the Islamic State might interfere to support Nusra Front, with the high state of alertness of the Free Syrian Army in Babila. 

 Nusra Front considered the demonstration as part of reconciliation plan between the Syrian regime and Sheikhs to expel the Front from Beith Sahem, because of its strategic position near the main route to Damascus Airport. 

 Nusra Front issued a statement few days ago threatening of severe response against any attempt by the reconciliation Sheikhs to demand the Front to leave the town.