Idlib | Ahrar al-Sham’s internal struggle widens, and movement’s defected military wing appoints HTS-backed leader

Idlib Province- Syrian Observatory for Human Rights:

The Islamic movement Ahrar al-Sham is experiencing security tension between the defected military wing on the one hand, and the legitimate leadership of the movement, headed by Jaber Ali Pasha, and most of the brigades and battalions operating in Ahrar al-Sham.

In this context, the movement’s defected military wing has announced the appointment of “Hassan Soufan” as the movement Commander-in-Chief, while this declaration was rejected by the legitimate leadership of the movement, and announced its rejection of the decision.

“Soufan” has justified the announcement by describing the state of paralysis and failure experienced by Ahrar al-Sham in the recent period, after he announced his approval of the mandate from the military wing.

“Soufan” has also called on Ahrar al-Sham members and their cadres to put aside differences and work together.

It is worth nothing that the military wing comprises nearly 200 members, most of whom operate in the Latakia countryside, and are loyal to Hassan Soufan, who is close to HTS organization.

On October 23, 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.