PHOTO: Jaish al-Islam fighters at a graduation ceremony, December 2015

Jaish al-Islam is one of Syria’s leading rebel factions. Based in the East Ghouta area near Damascus, it is also active on fronts beyond the south, including the current rebel and Jabhat al-Nusra operations south of Aleppo city.

There was widespread speculation about the group’s future when its head, Zahran Alloush, was killed in a regime-Russian airstrike on December 25. However, he has been succeeded by Issam al-Buwaydani, and Jaish al-Islam’s political director, Mohammad Alloush, is now the lead negotiator for the opposition-rebel High Negotiating Committee in the Geneva talks.

As Jaish al-Islam pursued operations just before the February 27 ceasefire agreement — and as it faced continued attacks by the Syrian military — EA interviewed Jaish al-Islam’s spokesman, Captain Islam Alloush:

What were the objectives of the offensive in Quneitra in southwest Syria?

The battle in that region was planned to liberate Tel Qurain and some of the surrounding points. The battle lasted three days, and the results were destroying several armored vehicles and killing dozens of the enemy militias; however, the hill couldn’t be liberated. The coverage of the battlefield by heavy weapons was good; however, the weakness of the organizational capacity and the lack of infantry soldiers were the causes for not liberating the hill.

The Situation Near Damascus

Is there any prospect of regaining the initiative south of Damascus, retaking areas on the Damascus-to-Daraa highway and relieving pressure on suburbs such as Darayya and Moadamiya?

We have the ability to work on retaking the Damascus-Dar’a highway and to alleviate the pressure on Darayya and al-Moadamiya; however, we need support.

Given the failure of the Southern Front’s offensive last year — and the claim that the allied operations room in Jordan is restricting supplies for an offenses — how can Jaish al-Islam succeed?

Jaish al-Islam does not depend on international assistance or support. Therefore, in its military operations, Jaish al-Islam depends on weapons taken and gained from the regime.

What is the current situation with Russian and regime airstrikes and ground attacks?

Before the cease-fire agreement, the Russian warplanes intensified their bombardment. Today, these raids are less but constant. On Friday, March 4, the regime air force hit a residential complex on the outskirts of the city of Douma. Many civilians were killed and many were wounded.

The air raid was followed by artillery shelling on the same area in to disrupt the arrival of any medical assistance. In addition, the ground offenses are still going on in al-Marj area, and the regime is seeking to control it.

[Fighting is ongoing in al-Marj, northeast of Damascus. The Syrian military has taken some positions, including the Marj al-Sultan base, but has been checked from moving into others or from cutting rebel supply routes.

How can Jaish al-Islam maintain military control given this relentless bombardment?

The Syrian people are now used to Assad’s assaults, and they have developed certain ways to face them. Also, both the civilian and military oppositions have developed their methods and tools that fit the current situation.

What is the current status of the fight on the Damascus-to-Homs highway near Harasta?

Our forces are in control of the Damascus-Homs international highway in the adjacent areas to Harasta and Douma.

Can Jaish al-Islam hope to advance or just hold territory in this area?

In fact, the opposition in general is in a defensive position, especially these days with limited resources, while, on the other hand, the regime receives an unprecedented direct international support. Despite all that, we always have hope to liberate our country from this regime. We have learned that we have achieved victories despite our limited resources, because we fight to liberate our country, and we believe that we are on the right path.

The State of Jaish al-Islam

What measures did Jaish al-Islam take to overcome the death of Zahran Alloush on December 25?

No doubt that the killing of Zahran Alloush, the former leader of Jaish al-Islam, was a great loss, not only to Jaish al-Islam but also to the Syrian revolution. Many activists and specialists describe his death as losing the central pole of the revolution.

However, the council of leadership in Jaish al-Islam was able to appoint a new leader before the burial of Zahran took place. This procedure was very easy and smooth. As for the new leader, he is highly experienced in administration, organization, and military affairs. In addition, the new leader used to hold one of the most prominent positions in the army, and many of his battles support his experience and military statesmanship.

How can the current leadership be protected from further Russian airstrikes?

In general, there are security measures taken to secure the safety and protection of the leaders of Jaish al-Islam. This is done under the supervision of the leadership Security Office that is responsible for protecting the important figures in the army.

Can you give us an approximately number of Jaish al-Islam fighters?

There are around 30,000 fighters in Jaish al-Islam.

Northern Syria

Does Jaish al-Islam have any involvement in the rebel defenses against the regime, Hezbollah, Iranian, Russian, and Kurdish offensives in northwestern Syria?

Yes. Jaish al-Islam counter-attacks the offensives of the regime and its supporting sectarian militias in northern Aleppo, whether these militias are Iraqi, Afghani, Lebanese or Pakistani. Jaish al-Islam has been engaging in fighting on Khan Touman’s front in the southern countryside of Aleppo, as well as in Hama, Idlib, and Homs [Provinces] and the coastal area. Also, Jaish al-Islam fights ISIS [the Islamic State] in northern Aleppo; we have liberated many sites from ISIS’ control in that area in the past.

As a military analyst, do you believe any territory in the northern Aleppo sector can be held in the face of the offenses and of the threat of the Islamic State?

Yes. That’s possible. However, the revolutionary forces need support on all levels. I can assure you from the military point of view that we in Jaish al-Islam are capable not only to counter-attack ISIS, but also to regain all areas ISIS holds. Unfortunately, with the very limited support the revolutionary forces get and for being busy on many fronts fighting ISIS and other sectarian terrorist groups, all of these make the situation more complicated and more difficult.

Turkey and Saudi Arabia have reportedly limited weapons and supplies in recent months, and the US appears to have shifted support from Syrian rebels to Kurdish-led forces. Do you foresee a renewed supply — sufficient to defend against pro-regime offensives, if not to take territory — in the near-future?

Jaish al-Islam depends on people’s support in its struggle against the regime. Having said that, we cannot offer any analysis regarding this matter.

However, we hope that the states which support the Syrian revolution, such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar, will increase their support to the revolutionary forces so they will be more capable to stand against the regime and its allies.