Syrian Liberation Front–Tahrir al-Sham conflict
Syrian Liberation Front–Tahrir al-Sham conflict | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part of the Syrian Civil War | |||||||
![]() Situation in Aleppo Governorate and Idlib Governorate on 18 April 2018. Tahrir al-Sham and allies control
Syrian Liberation Front and allies control
Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army control
Syrian Army control
SDF control
Syrian Army & SDF control | |||||||
| |||||||
Belligerents | |||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Tahrir al-Sham ![]() | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Abu Mohammad al-Julani ![]() (Aleppo sector leader) ![]() ![]() better source needed ]![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() better source needed ] | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
| Unknown | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
1,000 fighters |
1,500 fighters 30 tanks better source needed ] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
174–225 killed[18][19] | 231–750 killed[18][19] | ||||||
26 civilians killed[18] |
On 19 February 2018, heavy clashes erupted between the newly established
Background
Tahrir al-Sham was formed by five
On 18 February 2018, Ahrar al-Sham and the Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement announced a merger which established the Syrian Liberation Front. According to Sam Heller of the International Crisis Group, the formation of the Syrian Liberation Front was an attempt by Ahrar al-Sham and the Zenki Movement to create a "counterweight" against the dominance of Tahrir al-Sham in northwestern Syria. HTS reportedly prepared to attack Zenki prior to the merger.[24]
Observers have said that the conflict is possibly being used by Turkey as an opportunity to expand influence over the area with groups aligned with Turkish interests in the area whilst liquidating hard-line groups such as HTS and Al-Qaeda.[29]
Conflict
First phase
The conflict was triggered by the assassination of HTS commander Abu Ayman al-Masri on 16 February 2018, by Nour al-Din al-Zenki. The commander's wife was also wounded during the attack that killed him.[30][31]
February
On 19 February 2018, a day after the Syrian Liberation Front was established, clashes erupted between the SLF and HTS in western Aleppo and northern Idlib. By 21 February, the SLF, with support from Suqour al-Sham, captured the city of
On
On 20 February the Syrian Liberation Front accused Tahrir al-Sham of capturing its members at checkpoints.[32]
On 24 February, Hassan Soufan, general commander of the Syrian Liberation Front, called on the Sham Legion, who did not comment on the clashes, to side with the SLF against HTS.[12]
During a brief battle on 26 February, mere hours after the loss of
On 27 February, HTS withdrew from the city of Khan Shaykhun, and was expelled from western Aleppo, although it repelled the SLF advance on al-Dana.[34][35][36] During the last day of February, HTS launched a large-scale counter-offensive, capturing settlements of Kafr Losen, Aqrabat, Deir Hassan, and Qah, as well as attacking the town of Atmeh.[37]
HTS also handed over
March
This section relies largely or entirely on a single source. (September 2018) |
On 1 March, HTS released between 150 and 180
On 2 March, Tahrir al-Sham advanced to the outskirts of the SLF stronghold of
The newly formed
As Atarib was surrounded on all sides by HTS, HTS has also announced plans to take Darat Izza and the Aleppo suburbs by force.
On 3 March, the SLF (specifically the Nour al-Din al-Zenki) took advantage of HTS forces being off-balance. Attacked west of Kafr Nabl, the SLF captured three towns along a road, further isolating HTS garrisons in southern Idlib governorate.
On 4 March, HTS launched a large-scale counter-offensive in Idlib and Aleppo, reportedly recapturing 50 towns and villages.
On 7 March, Tahrir al-Sham captured settlements of Kafr Naha, al-Sa’adiyah and A’jil from SLF in the Aleppo Governorate, as well as housing complexes of al-Arman, al-Fursan and al-Rahal.[50]
On 8 March, reports emerged Tahrir al-Sham released 50
On 11 March, fighting resumed and several SLF members surrendered to HTS.
On 17 March, Faylaq al-Sham mediated a ceasefire agreement between Tahrir al-Sham and the Syrian Liberation Front. The agreement includes release of prisoners on both sides, cessation of attacks, and opening of roads leading to the front lines with the Syrian Arab Army and its allies.
Second phase
March
On 19 March, two days after the cease fire agreement Ahrar al-Sham arrested a Tahrir al-Sham commander named Yusuf al-Abdullah as he was trying to flee areas under control of the
On 22 March, reports emerged that Tahrir al-Sham and SLF are expected to resume clashing soon, as the temporary ceasefire ended today as the parties were unable to successfully negotiate a truce. Suqour al-Sham blamed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's leader, Abu Muhammad al-Jolani for the cease fire falling apart because he refused the SLF's proposals and demanded that SLF hands over localities they captured from Tahrir al-Sham.
On 23 March, Tahrir al-Sham clashed with SLF in the western part of the Aleppo Governorate, 100 people gathered to demonstrate against Tahrir al-Sham in Atarib near the headquarters of Tahrir al-Sham and they opened fire on the demonstrators injuring one while they shelled the 46th regiment base. On the same day unknown gunmen stormed the headquarters of the
On 24 March, a
On 26 March, in the Idlib Governorate anti-HTS forces began pushing towards the
On 27 March, the Syrian Liberation Front repelled an assault by Tahrir al-Sham in the Aleppo Governorate however HTS managed to kill two commanders from SLF while SLF was able to kill 6 HTS elements. Three civilians died as a result of SLF and HTS shelling one another in Darat Izza. In the
On 29 March, HTS kidnapped the director of the Morek crossing in hopes to promote a prisoner exchange with SLF, however SLF did not respond to HTS.
On 31 March, clashes occurred around Darat Izza between SLF and HTS. In the Idlib and Hama Governorates HTS raided several SLF positions and arrested 3 individuals part of the group.
April
On 1 April, another cease-fire was mediated by the Sham Legion and several scholars, the cease-fire also included Suqour al-Sham and began at 6:00pm Syrian time.
On 4 April, several civic activists, scholars, and other community leaders launched an initiative called the "Union of Popular Initiatives" and they call on both SLF and HTS to stop fighting, SLF has stated they agree with the initiative, HTS has remained silent on it.
On 7 April, the Sham Legion negotiated another cease-fire agreement between Tahrir al-Sham and the Syrian Liberation Front. The cease-fire is set to last a week and both parties are expected to come to a longterm agreement.
On 9 April, There was an explosion in the vicinity of the Al-Rahman mosque in a neighborhood of Idlib. At least ten civilians were killed and more than 50 were wounded by the explosion;
On 11 April, Tahrir al-Sham arrested incoming
On 15 April, Tahrir al-Sham launched a massive offensive against the Syrian Liberation Front and Suqour al-Sham in the southern part of the Idlib Governorate, capturing several towns and villages, the SLF and Suqour al-Sham were able to repel an attack on
On 16 April, the Syrian Liberation Front recaptured a few villages in western Aleppo from Tahrir al-Sham and claims to have killed 3 individuals linked to the
By 18 April, casualties in Idlib since the start of fighting on 18 February (according to pro-rebel media) had reached 750 HTS fighters killed, 225 SLF fighters killed, and 3,000 fighters on both sides wounded. 10 tanks and five other armored vehicles were also destroyed.[19]
On 19 April, there was an explosion outside a mosque in Idlib city, on the same day demonstrations against HTS were held in Sarmada after HTS was accused of abusing a shop owner there, HTS opened fire injuring five civilians.
On 24 April, both groups signed another cease fire agreement, agreeing to end all aggression, the leaders of both groups Soufan and Joulani both signed the agreement.[20]
Post-ceasefire assassinations
On 26 April, several assassinations took place targeting both HTS and SLF as well as the
On 27 April, after a mass assassination campaign against multiple opposition groups in Idlib began, an
On 1 May, unknown gunmen assassinated a member of HTS.
On 3 May, a
Third phase
In January 2019, HTS seized control of dozens of villages from Nour al-Din al-Zenki, forcing National Front for Liberation to sign a ceasefire deal. [1]. HTS seized control of Idlib province on 10 January right after the ceasefire.[citation needed]
See also
- al-Nusra Front–SRF/Hazzm Movement conflict
- October 2016 Idlib Governorate clashes
- Idlib Governorate clashes (January–March 2017)
- Idlib Governorate clashes (July 2017)
- East Ghouta inter-rebel conflict (April–May 2017)
References
- ^ a b "Syrian War Daily – 21st of February 2018". Syrian War Daily. 21 February 2018.
- ^ "Al-Zenki, Ahrar Al-Sham and Suqour Al-Sham continue their advancement in Idlib countryside at the expense of Tahrir Al-Sham and the fighting between them rages the resentment of the residents of Aleppo and Idlib". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 22 February 2018.
- ^ "New faction joins Jihadist infighting in northern Syria". Al-Masdar News. 1 March 2018.
- ^ "After ten days of clashes in Idlib, Hizb Turkistani helps HTS retakes initiative in the province". Aleppo24. 3 March 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Waleed Khaled a-Noufal; Tariq Adely (22 February 2018). "Two of the largest factions in Syria's northwest merge, challenge HTS dominance". Syria Direct. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
- ^ Sarah El Deeb Last stand: Syria’s rebel Idlib prepares for a losing battle, Associated Press, 17 September 2018
- ^ Idlib Rebel Civil War – 28/2/18, Syrian War Daily blog
- ^ "After its successive withdrawals, Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham continues its counteroffensive and restores at least 23 areas in Idlib countryside and west of Aleppo". SOHR. 1 March 2018.
- ^ a b "Breaking: Nusra recaptures 50 towns in Idlib and Aleppo from rival Islamist militia amid huge counter-offensive – Map update". Al-Masdar News. 3 March 2018.
- ^ a b "Fighting of the major factions in the west of Aleppo and the countryside of Idlib continue with attempts of advancement between both parties". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 24 February 2018.
- ^ "Clashes continue in the abolition war between Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham and factions working in the Syrian north". SOHR. 1 March 2018.
- ^ a b "صوفان يدعو "فيلق الشام" للدخول ضد "تحرير الشام" في إدلب للمزيد". Enab Baladi. 24 February 2018.
- ^ a b "Syrian War Daily – 27th of March 2018". Syrian War Daily. 28 March 2018.
- ^ Image twimg.com
- ^ a b سوريا, شبكة نداء. "#عاجل ll مصادر إعلامية تابعة لجبهة تحرير سوريا وصقور الشام تؤكد مقتل القياديين في هيئة تحرير الشام" أبو عهد طقيقة" و " أبو أويس المغربي" وأسر الأمني في سجن العقاب " أبو اليمان الأنصاري" خلال معارك اليوم بين الطرفين في منطقة جبل الزاوية بإدلب. #نداء_سوريا #سوريا". Twitter. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 12th of March 2018". Syrian War Daily. 12 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
- ^ a b "Syrian War Daily – 2nd of March 2018". Syrian War Daily. 2 March 2018.
- ^ a b c "After the death of more than 430 civilians and fighters in 64 days, the factions fighting each others within the abolition war reach a "final" agreement in Idlib and Aleppo". SOHR. 24 April 2018.
- ^ a b c "60 يوماً من المواجهات بين "هيئة تحرير الشام" و "تحرير سوريا" و "صقور الشام" .. ومصدر يكشف عدداً صادماً لقتلى الطرفين". Syria News. 18 April 2018.
- ^ a b "HTS and JTS sign agreement to stop the fight indefinitely and have reached a ceasefire to stop all agression [sic]. Ceasefire is signed by Abu Mohammad al Julani and Hassan Soufan - Map of Syrian Civil War - Syria news today - syria.liveuamap.com". Map of Syrian Civil War - Syria news today - syria.liveuamap.com.
- Long War Journal. Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
- ^ Waleed Khaled a-Noufal; Tariq Adely (20 July 2017). "Nour e-Din a-Zinki defects from HTS, citing unwillingness to end rebel infighting". Syria Direct.
- ^ "Relations between Hai'yat Tahrir al-Sham and Nour al-Din al-Zinki in 2017" (PDF). Carter Center. 7 November 2017.
- ^ "Hardline Syria rebels announce merger". Agence France-Presse. 19 February 2018.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Stork. "Ahrar al-Sham joined al-Zanki to confront HTS, expelled HTS from several towns and positions in Idlib and Hamapic.twitter.com/Z0tpoNyhmj". Twitter.
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "HTS-Zinki: Trouble on the Horizon?". YouTube.
- ^ "Where is al-Qaeda in Syria?". Al Jazeera.
- ^ Mroue, Bassem (14 March 2018). "Al-Qaida in Syria losing ground in battles with insurgents". Associated Press. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
- ^ "Top militant commander killed by rival Syria rebels: monitor". The Daily Star. Agence France Presse. 16 February 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
- ^ Osman, Tamer (28 February 2018). "Syrian Islamist factions join forces against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham". Al Monitor.
- ^ "HTS captures largest Ahrar Al-Sham military camp in northern Syria". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 26 February 2018. Archived from the original on 23 July 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
- ^ "HTS withdraws from key city in southern Idlib". Al Masdar News. 27 February 2018. Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
- ^ "Breaking: HTS officially expelled from western Aleppo". Al Masdar News. 27 February 2018.
- ^ "HTS foils big assault by Jabhat Tahrir Souriya in northern Idlib". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 28 February 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ "HTS launches massive counter-offensive in northern Syria". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 28 February 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ "HTS advance in Aleppo and Idlib countryside and release ISIS captured fighters to fight against "Jabhet Tahrir Syria"". Northern Syria Observer.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 1st of March 2018". Syrian War Daily. 1 March 2018.
- ^ "Idlib Rebel Civil War – 2/3/18". Syrian War Daily. 3 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
- ^ Image twimg.com
- ^ أطرش, حسام ابراهيم. "ليلة سوداء ستمر على العلج الجولاني، لم تبدأ بعد المعركة الحقيقة، فكل ما حصل ليس إلا تمهيد،". Twitter. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
- ^ "مصدر: قوات عشائرية تتجهز للتوجه نحو إدلب - عنب بلدي". Enab Baladi. 2 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
- ^ "#Syria- Tribal Army to Idlib soon via #enabBaladi". YallaSouriya. 2 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
- ^ "Idlib Rebel Civil War – 3/3/18". Syrian War Daily. 4 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
- ^ "Breaking: Nusra recaptures 50 towns in Idlib and Aleppo from rival Islamist militia amid huge counter-offensive - Map update". Al Masdar News. 3 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
- ^ Image liveuamap.com
- ^ Image liveuamap.com
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 4th of March 2018". Syrian War Daily. 4 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 7th of March 2018". Syrian War Daily. 7 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
- ^ Idlib24. "تنظيم "هتش" يفرج عن نحو 50 عنصر من تنظيم "جند الأقصى" كانوا محتجزين بأحد السجون التابعة للتنظيم في مدينة إدلب. #إدلب24 #إ24". Twitter. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Syrian War Daily – 11th of March 2018". Syrian War Daily. 11 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 17th of March 2018". Syrian War Daily. 17 March 2018. Archived from the original on 18 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 19th of March 2018". Syrian War Daily. 19 March 2018.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 22nd of March 2018". Syrian War Daily. 22 March 2018.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 23rd of March 2018". Syrian War Daily. 23 March 2018. Archived from the original on 11 October 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
- ^ "I told Putin and Trump we won't step back in Syria: Erdoğan". Hürriyet Daily News. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
- ^ Şafak, Yeni. "Idlib, Manbij to follow Turkey's Afrin op, says Erdoğan". Yeni Şafak. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
- ^ Şafak, Yeni. "Car bombing kills seven in Syria's Idlib". Yeni Şafak. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 24th of March 2018". Syrian War Daily. 24 March 2018. Archived from the original on 25 March 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
- ^ "Idlib Rebel Civil War – 3/26/18". Syrian War Daily. 27 March 2018.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 28th of March 2018". Syrian War Daily. 28 March 2018.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 29th of March 2018". Syrian War Daily. 29 March 2018.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 30th of March 2018". Syrian War Daily. 30 March 2018.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 31st of March 2018". Syrian War Daily. 31 March 2018.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 1st of April 2018". Syrian War Daily. 1 April 2018.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 2nd of April 2018". Syrian War Daily. 2 April 2018.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 4th of April 2018". Syrian War Daily. 4 April 2018.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 7th of April 2018". Syrian War Daily. 7 April 2018.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 9th of April 2018". Syrian War Daily. 9 April 2018.
- ^ "Nusra Front hunts down Jaysh al-Islam militants in Idlib". al-Masdar News. 11 April 2018.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 12th of April 2018". Syrian War Daily. 12 April 2018.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 15th of April 2018". Al Masdar News. 15 April 2018. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ "All out war breaks out between rival jihadist groups in southern Idlib". Al Masdar News. 15 April 2018. Archived from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ "After the death of hundreds of citizens and fighters… Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham continues its new round within the abolition war and takes the control of a crossing connected to the regime's controlled areas". Syria HR. 15 April 2018.
- ^ "Jihadist civil war proves costly as 340+ militants killed last weekend: monitor". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 16th of April 2018". Syrian War Daily. 16 April 2018.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily – 19th of April 2018". Syrian War Daily. 19 April 2018.
- ^ ~ Joško Barić (26 April 2018). "– 26th of April 2018". Syrian War Daily. Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
- ^ ~ Joško Barić (26 April 2018). "– 27th of April 2018". Syrian War Daily. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
- ^ a b "Continuous assassinations claim the lives of 3 persons and raise the number of casualties since the start of the assassinations - The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily - Delve into the world of celebrities and explore the facets of their happiness. Get an inside look at the joys and challenges of the spotlight". 30 November 2023.
- ^ "Car bomb hits International Rescue Committee office in northern Idlib as wave of mysterious attacks grows - Syria Direct". Archived from the original on 17 July 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
- ^ "Syrian War Daily - Delve into the world of celebrities and explore the facets of their happiness. Get an inside look at the joys and challenges of the spotlight". 30 November 2023.