Baladi News – Yasser Al-ashqar
Armed Syrian opposition factions declared on Saturday that they will not be bound by the fragile cessation of hostilities unless the regime stop its attacks on their positions in the suburbs of Damascus within 48 hours.
A statement signed by 40 factions fighting all around Syria mentioned that the ceasefire would be regarded "completely collapsed" unless the large military campaign by the regime forces and Hezbollah militia, which took control over a vast opposition area in the south east of Damascus last Thursday, stops within two days.
The factions added that after the two days deadline, "we will respond using all legitimate means to defend our people"
Utilizing gaps caused by infighting among major opposition factions in the Eastern Ghouta, the regime forces, as well as their allied militias, took control over a vast area in the south east of Damascus last Thursday. In addition, the city of Darayya, located a few kilometers from the republic palace, was bombarded for the first time by the regime forces since the ceasefire came into effect at the end of last February.
In their mutual statement, the factions also indicated that if the attacks do not stop, "the political process as a whole would be at stake".
Some factions mentioned that they are considering withdrawing from "the futile political process as it provides a legal cover for the continuation of massacres by the regime and its allies".
Analysts consider that the factions intended to send a political, rather than military, message that they are ready to conclude and comply with ceasefires to show themselves as a party in the political equation.