Jaysh al-Islam Recognition as Terror Group 'May Ruin Syria Settlement'

© AFP 2023 / AMER ALMOHIBANY Opposition fighters belonging to Jaish al-Islam (Islam Army), the foremost rebel group in Damascus province who fiercely oppose to both the regime and the Islamic State group, check their ammunition belts in Tal al-Aswan in the area of the eastern Ghouta rebel bastion east of the Syrian capital, Damascus, during clashes with government forces on February 9, 2016.
Opposition fighters belonging to Jaish al-Islam (Islam Army), the foremost rebel group in Damascus province who fiercely oppose to both the regime and the Islamic State group, check their ammunition belts in Tal al-Aswan in the area of the eastern Ghouta rebel bastion east of the Syrian capital, Damascus, during clashes with government forces on February 9, 2016. - Sputnik International
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Should Jaysh al-Islam and Ahrar ash-Sham be recognized as terrorist organizations following Russia's proposal to the United Nations, the peace process in Syria may collapse, Abdul Hakim Bashar, vice president of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, told Sputnik.

An unidentified photographer stands next to rebel fighters from Jaysh al-Islam (Army of Islam) holding a position behind a sand barrier on August 25, 2015, on the frontline in the Bashkoy area, on the northern outskirts of Aleppo, where opposition fighters are battling Syrian pro-government forces - Sputnik International
Why Jaysh Al-Islam Rebels' Participation in Syria Talks is 'Sabotage'
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Tuesday, Russia requested to add the two groups operating in Syria to the UN sanctions list that already containsDaesh and al-Qaeda. The opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) delegation to the Syria proximity talks includes representatives of both militant groups.

"If Russia were to consider them as terrorists, and airstrikes were to be carried out against their positions, despite their obligation to adhere to ceasefire, the HNC would have a concise, clear position, the peace process may terminate completely, a new page of violence in Syria would be opened," Bashar said.

Bashar said he believed adding these groups to the UN sanctions list would be a great mistake as they accepted a political resolution to the Syrian crisis and were ready to cooperate.

"Jaysh al-Islam is closely involved in the Geneva talks and in preparation of documents passed on to [UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan] de Mistura. Ahrar ash-Sham has earlier announced its complete solidarity to HNC, its support of it, they participate in delegations, it is impossible to get rid of them," Bashar stressed.

Meeting of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault - Sputnik International
Ahrar ash-Sham, Jaysh al-Islam Groups Share Same Ideology as Daesh - Lavrov
If the Russian move is supported by other UN Security Council members, airstrikes against Ahrar ash-Sham and Jaysh al-Islam will be allowed by the agreement on the cessation of hostilities, as the truce that came into effect in Syria on February 27 excludes terrorist organizations.

Last week, the HNC suspended participation in the latest round of the Syrian peace talks in Geneva over the continuous fighting in Syria, Aleppo in particular, blaming the Syrian government for the violence.

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