Sources in Idlib are telling me fighting between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham jihadists vs. the National Liberation Front (NLF) + Turkish-backed FSA is about to escalate. Until now, most NLF & FSA did not join the fight.
Heavy fighting between HTS jihadists and National Liberation Front (Islamists) + Turkish-backed FSA. The sides are using artillery around Atmeh and Dir Balout IDP camps. Injuries & 1 death of civilians reported. Clashes ongoing in western Aleppo countryside as well.
Clashes ongoing in Idlib as well. The National Liberation Front took over several villages in Idlib while Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is gaining ground in western Aleppo. Multiple roads are closed in Idlib and Aleppo due to heavy clashes.
Exams cancelled in Idlib University due to ongoing clashes between rebels & road closures.
At least 1 civilian was killed by shelling in the Deir Balout IDP camp.
Civilians are cowering in their homes, hoping to avoid being hit by a stray bullet or shell.
At least 1 civilian was killed by shelling in the Deir Balout IDP camp.
Civilians are cowering in their homes, hoping to avoid being hit by a stray bullet or shell.
Big victory for HTS in western Aleppo. HTS gained control of Anjara, the main HQ of Nur a-Din a-Zenki movement (part of the National Liberation Front). HTS lost several villages in southern Idlib to the NLF.
Ongoing negotiations between HTS & NLF. The NLF to retreat from all areas they captured in latest offensive in Idlib. HTS is also demanding control of Maarat al-Numan, Jarjanaz & Ariha, dissolution of Suqur al-Sham (NLF sub-faction) & arrest of those among them who fought HTS.
The exorbitant demands made by HTS demonstrate their confidence: their opponents, the NLF & Turkish-baked FSA in northern Aleppo, are divided, irresolute & weak + Turkey, the NLF's backer, is apparently content to sit on the sidelines & see its rebels destroyed in Idlib.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is attacking with AA guns al-Atareb, Aleppo, a town under the control of armed locals. Clashes ongoing near the town with the faction Thuwar al-Sham, which was previously absorbed by Nour a-Din a-Zenki
al-Atareb is under HTS siege. One of the towns with the most vibrant civil society in all of Syria is about to fall under jihadist control.
One of the recent anti-regime protests in the town bit.ly/2FbelG2 "The Baathists went crazy when we demanded freedom" they sing
One of the recent anti-regime protests in the town bit.ly/2FbelG2 "The Baathists went crazy when we demanded freedom" they sing
A friend in al-Atareb: HTS is trying to storm the town, firing machine guns. "The civilians are terrified, remain indoors. Electricity has been cut off. Young children are crying. We ask God for a relief from suffering."
Fighting has halted around al-Atareb as locals negotiate with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham regarding the fate of the besieged town, where about 50,000 people currently reside. Many anti-jihadist activists and fighters live in the town & would not be safe under HTS rule.
Terrible, symbolic moment in the history of the Syrian uprising: The town of al-Atareb, which resisted the regime, ISIS and other jihadists, surrendered to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham jihadists after being placed under siege. It will be governed by the HTS "Salvation Government"
Under the agreement, rebels fighting with the Turkish-backed "Euphrates Shield" faction will not be allowed to return to their homes. Thuwar al-Sham rebels who fought HTS will be referred to trial. Surrender was negotiated by civilians & the town's rebels appear resistant to it
Massive mobilization of Turkish-backed First Battalion (FSA) from northern Aleppo toward western Aleppo, promising to go fight Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. The TFSA has tens of thousands of fighters, who if mobilized, could alter the balance of power in Idlib-western/southern Aleppo.
Previous vows by the Turkish-backed FSA to go fight HTS did not result in more than skirmishes and shelling. However, the First Legion (Faylaq al-Awwal) is very close to Turkey, so it's safe to assume they wouldn't mobilize without Ankara's approval.
The Second Legion of the Turkish-backed FSA ("National Army") is also mobilizing from northern Aleppo. They claim they intend to launch offensive from the Bab al-Hawa crossing (fell under HTS control in 2017).
The commander of Thuwar al-Sham in al-Atareb, Taher al-Taher, if refusing to accept the conditions of the deal imposed by HTS (which was reached by civilian negotiators). HTS is urging civilians in al-Atareb to attack the rebels to coerce them to abide by the deal.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham now controls al-Atareb after it was placed under siege and surrendered overnight to HTS. HTS commanders are trying to assure locals they won't arrest opponents. Time will tell.
As part of the surrender deal to HTS, rebels from al-Atareb and their families are now being displaced to Efrin, northern Aleppo, a formerly majority-Kurdish area under direct Turkish control.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham jihadists celebrate taking over al-Atareb, Aleppo, a bastion of revolutionary & anti-jihadist activism.
Photos were taken in the Imam al-Shafei school for orphans in northwestern al-Atareb.
Photos were taken in the Imam al-Shafei school for orphans in northwestern al-Atareb.
Members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham WhatsApp groups are sharing threats to launch attacks on Ariha and Maarat al-Numan in Idlib next. Both towns are held by the Islamist National Liberation Front. Could just be bragging/wishful thinking.
Video shared among Syrian jihadists allegedly showing a Hayat Tahrir al-Sham convoy (flag visible) heading to southern Idlib last night. HTS members are threatening to attack the town of Maarat al-Numan, the last major hub of anti-jihadist civil society in Idlib.
The National Liberation Front (conglomeration of anti-jihadist groups in Idlib, Syria) send a convoy to reinforce Ariha and Maarat al-Numan, two major towns still under NLF control, as the jihadist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham threatens to attack the towns.
Expect more of this in the face of resurgent Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. The town of Hazano in Idlib surrendered to HTS jihadists without a fight. Town will be governed by HTS' "Salvation Government"
Handover of Sahl al-Ghab region to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham jihadist follows a pattern developed under regime "reconciliation" deals. Displacement of those refusing HTS rule, integration of local fighters willing to surrender
Fighting between Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army ("Euphrates Shield" factions) around Atmeh, Idlib. TFSA was able to regain some points they lost to HTS last week.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighter brags about a pickup truck, "spoils of war" they captured from the National Liberation Front.
This unofficial video is excellent in showing how young & drunk with power many HTS fighters are.
This unofficial video is excellent in showing how young & drunk with power many HTS fighters are.
Many young HTS fighters have grown up fighting for the organization. They've been injured multiple times. They have not been to school in years. They have a deep sense of brotherhood & loyalty to fellow fighters, esp since surrounding population has grown hostile.
