The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Ahrar al-Sham internal struggle | “Hassan Soufan” group captures “Jaber Pasha” posts on Jabal al-Akrad frontlines

In light of the internal disputs within Ahrar al-Sham Islamic movement, headed by “Jaber Ali Pasha” on one side, and the former leader of the movement “Hassan Soufan”, supported by HTS on the other.

Observatory sources say that a military group affiliated with “Hassan Soufan”, supported by HTS, captured positions belonging to the other side of Ahrar al-Sham on frontlines of Jabal al-Akrad, north of Latakia after the expulsion of fighters from it, while trying to control the rest of the posts under the command of the Ahrar al-Sham led by “Jaber Ali Pasha” in the region.

Two days ago, the HTS along with defected members of Ahrar al-Sham stormed the headquarters of the Ahrar al-Sham movement under the current leadership headed by “Jaber Ali Pasha” in Ariha and the town of Al-Foua, and expelled Ahrar al-Sham members, under heavy gunfire, creating panic and fear among the population.

On the other hand, HTS confirmed that they are not biased towards any party in Ahrar al-Sham, and stressed its efforts to stop the fighting and reach a solution that satisfies both parties.

The Syrian Observatory monitored security tension among members of Ahrar al-Sham movement, following disagreements within the movement between the current leader of the movement “Jaber Ali Pasha” and the former leader “Hassan Soufan”, supported by HTS, coinciding with military reinforcement by HTS in Ariha and the town of Al-Foua, under the pretext of resolving the conflict between the two parties.

On October 21, the command of Ahrar al-Sham, headed by “Jaber Ali Pasha”, issued a statement dismissing the commander of the movement’s military wing and his deputy from their duties and appointing new ones instead, following a statement issued by the commander of the military wing calling for a coup against the head of command Jaber Ali Pasha and the appointment of Hassan Soufan as the movement’s leader.

The statement by the “dismissed” military commander was rejected by the leaders of Ahrar al-Sham’s factions and military brigades, who considered it to be a statement calling for defection and rebellion against Ahrar al-Sham leaders.

On October 10, Ahrar al-Sham dismissed the leader “Abu Fares Daraa” from his duties, but he rejected the decision with the help of his ally, the former leader of the movement “Hassan Soufan”.