Tahrir al-Sham-Sham Legion conflicts widen in scope in Syria

Aya Ezz

Idlib and Latakia in north-western Syria witness constant tensions, against the background of attacks by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, an armed faction that operates in northern Syria.

The faction especially targets the so-called Sham Legion which operates in the aforementioned two cities.

On April 12, the Sham Legion accused Tahrir al-Sham of breaking into some of its checkpoints and headquarters in al-Bara city in the southern countryside of Idlib.

Tahrir al-Sham then released a statement, in which it mentioned the reasons for its attacks.

It also pointed to repeated complaints from al-Bara’s residents against the elements of the legion.

The faction especially referred to the practices of these elements and what it described as their ‘immoral treatment’ of the residents of al-Bara.

Tahrir al-Sham noted that its forces had already arrested some of the elements of the legion.

Encirclement

In November 2022, Tahrir al-Sham elements besieged the Islamic Legislation office of Sham Legion in Idlib.

They also sealed off the area of the office, even as some people were present at the office at the time.

Islamic legislator, Omar Huthayfa, said the office used to distribute the spoils of Sham Legion, which were distributed to the elements of Fath Army after it controlled Idlib.

The office, he said, is in a decaying condition and may collapse soon.

Nevertheless, the so-called Salvation Government, known to be the political umbrella of Tahrir al-Sham, tries to seize all government buildings for use in the administration of the province.

The conflict between the two parties focuses on the control of buildings and areas in Idlib.

This conflict comes after a disagreement between the two sides on the exchange of points near the Tronba-Saraqib crossing.

Widespread criticism

Syrian political activist, Ra’ouf Khalil, said Tahrir al-Sham faces vitriol from some political and armed parties, against the background of cooperation between the legion and the Syrian National Army.

“Tahrir al-Sham was able during to sow discord within the legion through its spies,” Khalil told The Reference.

“This caused internal splits and mergers with other factions,” he added.