Armed Opponent Groups Form New Military Unit İn Syria

At least ten armed groups united to form a new army dubbed the "Omar Army" to fight against regime troops in Syria, claims a Syrian regime opponent.



The source, who asked not to be named, told Anadolu Agency these groups who operate in the East Ghouta region formed a new military unit in a bid to protect oppressed and innocent civilians in Damascus and in the rural outskirts. 



Syrian regime opponents have taken siege of the Ghouta region since September 2013.



Syria has been plagued by quasi-constant fighting since the regime launched a violent crackdown in response to anti-government protests in March 2011. 



The ensuing conflict spiraled into a civil war and has proved to become a breeding ground for Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant militants, who have since gained control of large parts of Syria and Iraq.



The UN has stopped updating its death toll for the country because an official count had become too difficult to verify. At least 100,000 deaths were recorded in the last official count, in July 2013.



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