Syrian jihadist group works to attract tribes in Idlib
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has been paying more attention to Arab tribes and clans to benefit from them in expanding its influence in social circles and in recruitment processes.
ALEPPO, Syria — Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which controls Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib, seeks to attract Arab tribes and clans in its areas of control and is working to build friendly ties with them.
The various forces in Syria have been adopting a policy to get closer to the tribes during the past years, to mobilize support and extend their influence, as well as to recruit them in their military factions.
On Sept. 3, al-Bosraya clan organized a forum for the clan’s members and dignitaries in Idlib. Al-Bosraya is one of the Arab clans belonging to al-Uqaydat tribe whose tribesmen are spread throughout Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, Hasakah and other Syrian governorates.
Al-Uqaydat tribe, like the rest of the Arab tribes in Syria, is divided. Some of its clans are affiliated with the Syrian government, some are affiliated with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and still others with the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA).
