DAMASCUS
The opposition Falaq ar-Rahman group sent 500 armed fighters to join the war against Bashar al-Assad’s regime, a commander said Saturday.
Abu Shafeeq, one of the commanders of the group, told Anadolu Agency that the new fighters were provided “every kind” of war training in the East Ghouta training camp in Damascus.
“We provided training on close combat and defense techniques, use of arms and infiltration into enemy buildings as well as protection against bombing attacks,” said Shafeeq.
The commander also said the fighters received training on use of docka weapons, which are mostly used in war fronts in the country.
Falaq ar-Rahman is warring against the regime in the Jobar region located in eastern Damascus, a key armed opposition group in Damascus.
Halting the advance of Syrian troops in Jobar, the group is exposed to air raids by the regime in the region.
Syria has been gripped by a stalemate since the Assad regime launched a violent crackdown in response to anti-government protests in March 2011.
This crackdown triggered a conflict that has killed more than 220,000 people, including more than 10,000 children, according to the UN.
