Syrian jihadi group tightens noose on Arab, foreign fighters in Idlib
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is pressuring foreign jihadis in Idlib and giving them two choices: Leave, or integrate into the local community.
ALEPPO, Syria — Since early February, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has stepped up its crackdown against Arab and foreign jihadis opposed to it in its areas of control in Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib. The campaign comes as part of HTS’ efforts to restrict and monitor their movements and keep them under the surveillance of its security apparatus.
The campaign against foreign fighters has angered many jihadis, who accuse HTS of being ungrateful.
In early February, HTS issued a warning to several foreign jihadis and relatives of jihadis detained in HTS prisons to vacate the houses where they live with their families in Idlib. According to its opponents, HTS is refusing to renew the lease for the residents of these houses in a bid to expel them from Idlib city toward smaller villages in the Idlib countryside.
A jihadi source opposed to HTS in Idlib told Al-Monitor, “HTS has begun implementing a plan to expel Arab and foreign fighters opposed to it from their homes in Idlib, foiling all mediation efforts and ignoring the plight of Syrians.”
