ISTANBUL — Eastern Ghouta is still witnessing infighting among Syrian opposition forces, who have gradually come to dominate the area since Jan. 26, 2013.

The most important military achievement for the Free Syrian Army (FSA) was taking over the Tamiko plant Oct. 19, 2013, in Eastern Ghouta. It was previously used as a military barrack by the Syrian regime forces. Essentially, the FSA has reached the Jermana region, the gate to Damascus, which allows it to cut the road to the international airport and impose more pressure on the Bashar al-Assad regime.

But the recent opposition infighting that flared up on April 28 posed a great danger to the fate of Ghouta. The regime’s supply routes pass through the Ghouta region, which surrounds Damascus, so controlling Ghouta is a prelude to controlling Damascus.

The clashes began when Faylaq al-Rahman, supported by Jaish al-Fustat (Jabhat al-Nusra, Ahrar al-Sham and the Brigade of the Nation's Dawn) attacked the headquarters of Jaish al-Islam in Eastern Ghouta. Faylaq al-Rahman has accused Jaish al-Islam of attempting to assassinate Khalid Tafour, the head judge of Ghouta.