Rebels claim ‘excellent victory’ in skirmishes in Syrian capital
Rebel fighters who planned and participated in intense fighting in the Syrian capital two weeks ago say they never intended to capture and hold portions of the city. They view the skirmishing, widely seen as a victory for the government, as just the opposite.
“It was an excellent victory,” said Abu Abdullah, a commander in the unit that exercises rebel tactical control over the western half of Damascus. “We accomplished our objectives, gained experience, and had very low casualties. The Free Army is stronger as a result, and the regime is weaker.”
Abu Maher, a rebel machine gunner, recounted what the rebels say were the fruits of the battle. “With 16 men, our group destroyed four tanks and an armored car, and we took a Dushka,” he said, referring to a Russian-made heavy machine gun. “We never had enough ammunition to capture the entire city, so how could that have been our plan? We withdrew when we received the order, not because we were forced.”
The rebel version of the battle is the first account from inside Damascus of what took place in the capital in the aftermath of the assassination July 18 of three top defense officials in the government of President Bashar Assad, a blow that claimed key members of Assad’s so-called crisis group during its daily meeting to plot war strategy.
Credit for the bombing was immediately claimed by rebel officials in southern Turkey, who said they had planned the bombing. But Abu Abdullah said the bombing and the subsequent fighting in Damascus were planned by a council of local commanders, and that Free Syrian Army headquarters in Turkey had had nothing to do with initiating or coordinating the attack.
As he spoke, fellow fighters nodded their agreement.
“The Free Army is inside Syria, not outside. Why should we take orders from Riad al-Asaad?” he said, referring to the putative leader of the Free Syrian Army in Turkey, who issued a statement shortly after the bombing claiming responsibility for the act.
This story was originally published August 3, 2012 at 1:00 AM.
