Syrian jihadi groups crack down on rivals in Idlib
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is tightening the noose on the jihadi Jundallah group and asking it to join it or leave Idlib, in what observers described as an attempt on the part of HTS to get rid of non-Syrian fighters.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which controls Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib, has recently worked to attract jihadi groups acting outside the limits of its authority by placing pressure on them and offering them as few as two options: either join the organization and act under its authority or dissolve themselves and leave Idlib.
Observers believe HTS wants to get rid of such groups to avoid jihadis and Salafists from regrouping and rebranding. Also, these observers believe HTS, through these moves, seeks to convey messages to the international community whereby it renounces terrorism, is fighting militants and is a local Syrian component.
