Rebel brigade defects to the National Defense Forces in southern Damascus

For the second time in one week, a rebel brigade from the Free Syrian Army (FSA) has defected from the militant organization and joined the civilian-led “National Defense Forces” (NDF) after fighting against the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) for three years.

The rebel brigade “Liwaa Hateen” surrendered their weapons at an NDF checkpoint in southern Damascus and then followed with the announcement of their defection from the FSA.

According to a source in Damascus, the rebel group is comprised of as many as 160 fighters (not confirmed) that are spread across Yarmouk Camp, Al-Tadamon, and Hajar Al-Aswad.

Earlier this week, the Al-Anfal Brigade announced their defection to the NDF in the Rif Dimashq Governorate, becoming the first rebel contingent to leave the Syrian Opposition militant groups and join the Syrian State Government forces.

Recently, the SAA’s 1st Division, NDF, Palestine Liberation Army (PLA) and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC)have made significant progress in southern Damascus, capturing large parts of the Al-Tadamon District that neighbors the besieged Yarmouk Camp.

At Beit Sahm, the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra” has officially withdrawn from Beit Sahm after large civilian demonstrations calling for the terrorist organization to leave the town.