Infighting near Damascus kills over 300 rebel fighters

May 16, BEIRUT: Fighting raging between rival rebel factions to control a key opposition stronghold near Damascus since late last month has killed more than 300 fighters, a monitor said on Sunday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the clashes in Eastern Ghouta pitted the Jaish Al-Islam faction, which has been taking part in peace talks in Geneva, against the Faylaq Al-Rahman and Jaish Al-Fustat groups, both led by Al-Nusra Front, Syria’s Al-Qaeda affiliate. “More than 300 fighters have been killed as rebel factions battle for influence in the Eastern Ghouta,” since April 28, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said. He said most of the rebels killed belonged to Jaish Al-Islam or Al-Nusra.   AFP