Summary
Rebels cling on in Eastern Ghouta
Despite a crippling siege, infighting and a ferocious wave of bombardment, Syrian rebels have clung on to their Eastern Ghouta stronghold near Damascus – but a looming ground offensive might finally oust them.
When Syrians broke out in protest against leader Bashar Assad's rule in 2011, Eastern Ghouta joined in, and rebels captured it the following year.
Rebel control is now divided between two groups: Jaish al-Islam and Failaq al-Rahman, both of which have pledged to mount a fierce defense against a regime assault.
Since Eastern Ghouta first fell under regime siege in 2013, rebels have been using tunnels and smuggling routes to bring supplies in.
The government wants to secure the capital and put a halt to the salvo of rockets rebels launch from Eastern Ghouta onto Damascus.
CSIS's Todman says that could happen in Eastern Ghouta, too.
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