Syrian jihadist group HTS challenges Turkish-backed factions
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham tried to enter the Turkey-backed factions’ stronghold to support Ahrar al-Sham that refused to support the newly formed leadership by some groups within the movement.
Sources in the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) told Al-Monitor that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched an attack at dawn on Nov. 11 on a base affiliated with the Ahrar al-Sham movement in the northern Aleppo countryside, which prompted the Turkish army to intervene and counter HTS’ attempt.
Independent media activists who declined to be named told Al-Monitor that an HTS military convoy surrounded Ahrar al-Sham’s Teranda base in the countryside of Afrin, in the north of Aleppo, with the aim of pressuring the movement’s new leader, who is positioned inside the base, to hand over leadership to the pro-HTS Ahrar al-Sham leadership.
According to the activists, the Turkish army prevented HTS’ military convoy from entering the area through the Ghazawiya crossing, forcing the convoy to turn around and enter through a dirt road. Later, the HTS convoy withdrew upon the Turkish army’s demands.
Several military groups within Ahrar al-Sham dismissed Nov. 8 their leader, Amer al-Sheikh, who is loyal to HTS and replaced him with Youssef al-Hamawi, nicknamed Abu Suleiman.
