Terrorists fight each other for control of Idlib

Aya Ezz

The Syrian scene is currently witnessing major conflicts between terrorist groups, who are launching operations against each other, motivated by the desire to impose control over whatever land they can. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has kidnapped one of the most important leaders of Faylaq al-Sham (Sham Legion), Abu Ali Jarjanaz, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Observatory confirmed that HTS kidnapped Faylaq al-Sham elements near Neirab, east of Idlib, in addition to assaulting Faylaq al-Sham bases in Saraqib, eastern Idlib.

Syrian political activist Rayyan Maarouf told the Reference that the differences between HTS and Faylaq al-Sham have been going on for many years because of HTS’s long-term desire to dominate and control Idlib and all the factions within the governorate.

According to Maarouf, both groups want to impose their control on the other, and each seeks to siphon off the other’s members, while HTS deliberately provokes Faylaq al-Sham and other factions in Idlib on a regular basis.

Maarouf explained that HTS acts on the basis that Idlib governorate, its people and its wealth belong to the terrorist group and that it alone has the right to do as it pleases, which causes conflict with other factions.

Among the reasons for the differences between the two factions is the defection of a large number of terrorists affiliated with HTS and their joining other factions such as the al-Zenki, Bayraq al-Islam, and Thuwar al-Sham militias, and most of these factions are at odds with HTS, Maarouf said. At the same time, HTS has been weakened and suffers in need of elements joining it.

Maarouf confirmed that the conflicts between HTS and the rest of the factions in Idlib will weaken them all, which serves the interest of the Syrian national army.