Civilians and media figures often compare Idlib, which is under control of the Syrian Salvation Government affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) — a group designated as a terrorist organization in the United States — to areas governed by Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions.

Despite the hardships facing civilians, be it in Idlib or in the areas affected by operations Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch and Peace Spring, and despite the overpopulation in Idlib and its countryside as a result of the displacement of hundreds of thousands, Idlib remains relatively stable and secure with almost no explosions hitting markets, unlike the areas under control of the Turkish-backed factions.

Ehab Sherko Hass, an activist from the city of Saraqib currently residing in Idlib, told Al-Monitor, “The Idlib areas are different from the FSA areas in northern Aleppo in terms of security. The Idlib areas are subject to a stronger and more severe security grip than the areas in north Aleppo, and they are under the unified control of HTS, unlike the FSA areas, which are divided into several areas subject to the influence of military factions.”

Hass added, “Also, there is wider freedom of information in the Idlib areas compared to northern Aleppo, where permission is needed to practice media work and each area falls under the control of a different faction. Add to this the Turkish military presence, which imposes media restrictions. In Idlib, it is true that the Syria Salvation Government started to set media controls by issuing personal media cards and granting permits for people to engage in media work, but the security situation remains the most important aspect for civilians. As a resident of Idlib, I find that the security situation is more stable in Idlib than in northern Aleppo, where car bombs and explosions are frequent.”