Infighting Among Idlib Radicals Resumes With Renewed Energy

Infighting Among Idlib Radicals Resumes With Renewed Energy

Late on June 23, the Israeli Air Force conducted airstrikes on alleged Iranian-linked targets near al-Sukhna and Kabajab in central Syria and near Tel Al-Sahn in the countryside of as-Suwayda in southern Syria. A second wave of Israeli strikes early on June 24 targeted Salamyieh and al-Sabboura in the province of Hama. Syrian state media denied that the strikes hit Iranian targets saying that 2 soldiers were killed, 4 others injured and some material damage was caused by the attack. As was expected the airstrikes took place just a few days after Hezbollah-affiliated media had released a video with threats to strike targets inside Israel in the event of an escalation.

Since June 23 intense fighting has been ongoing in the countryside of Idlib and the southern part of the province between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda) and the recently formed coalition of al-Qaeda-linked groups, Fa Ithbatu.

The Idlib central prison area, the village of Arab Said, and the towns of Barisha, Sarmada and Ariha were the main focal points of the confrontation. According to pro-militant sources, the fighting broke out as a result of recent tensions caused by the arrests of some members of Fa Ithbatu by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham security forces. From demands to release its members, Fa Ithbatu forces moved to a direct confrontation with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. However, as of the morning of June 24th, they had not yet achieved any major successes in these efforts.

Simultaneously, tensions grew between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and another al-Qaeda-linked group, the Turkistan Islamic Party, in the town of Jisr al-Shughur. Turkistan Islamic Party members reportedly surrounded a local HQ of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

Fa Ithbatu and the Turkistan Islamic Party are apparently very unhappy with the recent actions of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which had indirectly supported the implementation of the Turkish-Russian de-escalation agreement on southern Idlib and pressured other al-Qaeda-linked groups in the area to gain more support from Turkey.

While the close cooperation with Turkey allows Hayat Tahrir al-Sham to increase its military and financial capabilities, the implementation of the de-escalation deal poses a direct threat to interests of smaller radical groups such the ones from Fa Ithbatu. Thus, there is a clear conflict of interest that may yet turn into a full-scale military confrontation.

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Volker

As long those competing Proxy Merc/Terrorist factions of criminal sickfucks kill-off each other, it will be a blessing for humanity.

BMWA1

Job opening still in WA DC?

Volker

At the moment more in WA State staged by DNC Soros and their acolytes.

ATT

This might be what Putin has been masterminding from the onset. These terrorists are united only by their aim to destabilize Syria for their foreign backers. If they are left to deal with limited resources and foreign money they will turn on each other and start to collapse from within.

First HTS opposed Turkey, but then they came to an agreement, then the smaller factions turned on HTS. If HTS makes an agreement with them, Turkey will turn on them. It’s a beautiful cycle. I assume the aim is to make sure Turkey is never able to gain full control and annex, so they will eventually leave and SAA will liberate the region.

Jim Allen

It’s not the only thing on Putin’s mind.

ATT

Certainly not…

Volker

I don’t think Putin Masterminded it at all but he’s smart saw this comming and he figured if their sponsors + handlers dump abandon + screw them they turn on each other like the savage rabbid dogs they are.

ATT

Haha this is a matter of different definitions of ‘masterminding’.

If one can see a favorable possibility down the road and chose to take actions that make it manifest, they’ve arguably masterminded it. It doesn’t necessarily have to be something they instigated from scratch.

Either way, we can agree it is likely that Russian leadership had enough foresight to withhold SAA offensives long enough to sew descent among the terrorist faction as resources and territory dwindle.

Very clever.

cechas vodobenikov

al qaeda and their sisters were created and continue to be funded by USA, now turkey

Mustafa Mehmet

Why don’t you liberate golan first been nearly 60 years I think . then idlib

ATT

If you have to ask that question, there’s no way a comments section will educate you on the answer. I’ve spent years studying conflict history to have some grasp of the challenges in that area.

Study the occupation strength in Golan Heights and the terrain first, then look at the recourse that would be required to contest the territory from IDF defense. You’ll get an idea why things are the way they are.

Jim Allen

It’s just for show.

Icarus Tanović

Yeah, you Wahhabi bums from all over the world, just kill each others. SAA will have less work to be done.

cechas vodobenikov

amerikans believe that because they renamed the OSS as the CIA that it was different—they describe a pro imperialist corporate capitalist war monger, sanders as a “socialist”—sure he is

Tommy Jensen

Renewed green energy with gender changes in a clean clima environment can resolve Idlib’s problems and bring peace with freedom!