Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Omar Rahmoun…from Rebel to a Negotiator on behalf of Syrian Regime | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Rebel fighters stand on the road between the villages of Zahraa and Nubol in the northern Syrian Aleppo province during clashes with pro-regime fighters in 2014. (Mohamad Zeen/AFP)


Beirut- Activists have circulated photo of Aleppo’s ceasefire mediator was accused of betraying the Syrian rebels in putting the war-torn city on a plate of gold for the regime, Russia and Iran.

A copy of the agreement showed four signatures only including that of Pro-Syrian regime Sheikh Omar Rahmoun.

In August 2016, Rahmoun’s shift from the revolution to the regime shocked many – including his relatives and the people of his town, Hilfaya, even his rebel leader brother Sami al-Rahmoun considered what his brother Omar did was apostasy.

According to a source from the Syrian Free Army, Rahmoun has always been doubted among revolution factions despite the fact that he was the first to protest against the Syrian regime.

The source told Asharq Al-Awsat that Omar moved among several factions, including Abu al-Alameen Battalions formed by his brother Sami, Ahrar al-Sufiye Movement, Ahrar al-Sham, Revolution leadership Council in Hama and its countryside and Jaish al-Thuwar.

“During his movement among these factions and groups, except for Jaish al-Thuwar which was considered mercenary faction, Rahmoun knew the proceedings of plans and battles and he was in contact with many military and political officials,” he said.

“He used to preach in Friday prayers for defected officers in their special camp in Turkey.”

In 2016, and in conjunction with announcement of formation of Jaish al-Thuwar militia, Rahmoun’s name came up again as a member in the Shura Council of the militia.

Then, he was not able to stay in Turkey anymore, so he ran away to Kurdish Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG) in Efrin and later to the regime.

For its part, Sham News Network noted that Rahmoun was one of the scholars who represented Hamah in the meeting with head of the Syrian regime Bashar al-Assad at the beginning of the revolution.

Later on, according to SNN, suspicious conversations were detected in 2012 with figures outside Syria as Rahmoun was calling for support in the name of the Syrian revolution.