Major opposition fighting factions agree on merger

A number of opposition fighting factions in northern Syria have declared their merger, creating one body called “Leadership Council for Liberating Syria”, as the declared ceasefire continues despite many violations by Assad regime and allies.

Field sources told Orient Net that at least eight opposition military factions have met and announced their merger after a previous planned merger, which was supposed to include Jabhat Fatth al-Sham, has failed.

The factions included in the new council are Ahrar al-Sham Movement, Jaysh al-Islam, Ajnad al-Sham, Suqour al-Sham, Fastaqim, al-Sham Legion, al-Rahman Corps, and Jabhat Ahl al-Sham, according to the sources.

The said opposition factions agreed on forming a military body consisting of military commanders from each faction, and a political body consisting of officers from political offices in the factions. Commanders of the factions will be considered the commanders of the newly-formed council. The council will adopt its decisions by consensus, the sources added.

Recently, Syrians in many opposition-held areas have been organizing demonstrations urging opposition fighting factions to unite and form a unified body to fight Assad regime and allies.