Feuding factions | Clashes erupt among Turkish-backed factions near Bab al-Salama border crossing with Turkey
The Syrian Observatory has monitored today clashes with machine guns among Turkish-backed factions near Bab al-Salama border crossing with Turkey. Clashes took place between “Al-Fateh Brigade” and the emergency forces of “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiya”, while factions were on high alert there.
Turkish-backed factions continue smuggling operations to regime forces and SDF via artificial crossings in areas under their control in Aleppo countryside.
On May 13th, the Syrian Observatory monitored the smuggling of dozens of trucks into regime-controlled areas through the village of Al-Sukkaria in countryside of al-Bab, north-east of Aleppo, overseen by Al-Hamza division. Meanwhile, several foodstuff and cattle were smuggled via Aoun al-Dadat crossing, in addition to smuggling people and wanted persons from Nubul and Al-Zahra areas to the areas held by the factions.
Moreover, “Al-Hamza division” controls the crossings used for smuggling in al-Bab, while “Ahrar al-Sharqiya” controls the Jarabulus crossings, and “Sultan Murad” division and the “Northern Brigade” are involved in these actions. Shipments are being smuggled for large sums of money of more than $1,000 per truck, causing resentment among the rest of the factions there.
On May 1st, the Syrian Observatory monitored clashes with machine guns between members of “Al-Hamza Division” and “Ahrar al-Sham”, near the crossings used for smuggling, east of the city of Al-Bab. Clashes erupted following a dispute between them over smuggling of trucks to regime-controlled areas.