The East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (April–May 2016) was an armed conflict between the rebel coalition of Jaish al-Fustat, consisting of the al-Nusra Front and al-Rahman Legion, and the rebel group Jaysh al-Islam, that occurred in the rebel-held territories east of Damascus. Tensions between the two groups took place since March 2016, when the Rahman Legion expelled Jaysh al-Islam in Zamalka after absorbing the Ajnad al-Sham Islamic Union in February.^[8]

Quick Facts Date, Location ...

East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (April–May 2016)
Part of the Rif Dimashq Governorate campaign and the inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian Civil War
Date 18 April – 24 May 2016 (1 month and 6 days) Location East Ghouta, Rif Dimashq Governorate, Syria Result Ceasefire[1]
Belligerents
Al-Rahman Legion[2][1][3] 1st Brigade[4] Jaish al-Fustat[4] Al-Nusra Front Fajr al-Ummah	Jaysh al-Islam Air Defense Brigade[4]
Commanders and leaders
Wael Alwan (Al-Rahman Legion spokesman)[5]	Qais a-Shami (JaI spokesman)[5]
Casualties and losses
500–700 fighters on both sides and 12 civilians killed[6][7]

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On 18 April 2016, the al-Rahman Legion launched an attack on Jaysh al-Islam headquarters in the town of Jisreen, capturing the headquarters.^[9]

In mid-June, a new round of fighting left more than 30 fighters dead on both sides.^[12]

On 22 July, during a new government offensive in East Ghouta, the Al-Rahman Legion attacked the Jaysh al-Islam-held "Office of Damascus Countryside" in Saqba, resulting in the deaths of nine rebels.^[7]

Between 26 April and 1 May 2017, more than 95 rebels were killed during clashes between Jaysh al-Islam, Tahrir al-Sham, and the Rahman Legion. Jaysh al-Islam fighters opened fire on demonstrators who called for an end to the infighting. The clashes led to Syrian Army advances in eastern Damascus.^[13]