Syrian Army uncovers HTS HQ in western Aleppo

Sarah Rashad

The Syrian scene is getting closer to announcing the complete elimination of terrorist factions in the country. Lately, the Syrian Arab Army has managed to enter the headquarters of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, in the northern province of Aleppo.

The Syrian News Agency broadcast on State television a footage showing a network of tunnels and sites excavated in a rock mountain in the town of Anajara west of the city of Aleppo, which was liberated by the Syrian Army at the end of February.

The videos show the operating room, where the group leader Abu Mohammed Al-Golani used to meet to plan his attacks on the Syrian Army.

These developments show the disintegration of the terrorist factions front from within. Finding the Golani hideout is an important step towards closing the page of the terrorist organizations and their allies, as it means that the army has reached the head of terrorism in Idlib, namely Golani.

SANA had published a video in which the reporter appeared to be roaming around the terrorist organization’s headquarters near Ain Jarah in the western countryside of Aleppo, noting that the headquarters is located in a rugged mountainous area.

A scene of destroyed vehicles appeared in the video, during which the reporter said, “The Air Force destroyed them, as a number of the leaders of the headquarters for the HTS were inside in an attempt to flee.

The video shows that the headquarters has a main entrance, which is a cave in a mountain that enters a large place engraved inside the mountain.

Al-Ekhbariya correspondent said, “Terrorist Abu Mohammad al-Julani had used the headquarters in February 2020 to plan attacks against the Syrian army.”

This comes amid expectations that the HTS will be dissolved and merged into a unified entity of Syrian factions, under the supervision of the United States.

This was clear during a visit by US Special Envoy James Jeffrey and US Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft to Idlib in March as they were able to pass through the Bab Al-Hawa crossing, which is being controlled by the HTS.

Russia, on the other hand, completely rejects the existence of these factions, whether separated or united, while the United States sees the necessity to unite them given that they waive jihad.

Syrian activist Omar Rahmoun agreed with the Russian point of view that such factions should be eliminated, pointing out that raiding Julani’s hideout by the Syrian army bears a very strong message that these factions will be eliminated soon.

He further pointed out that these factions are so at odds that they cannot be united under one flag, affirming that all factions have their own interests and goals, which indicates that it would be very difficult for them to be united.