Violent factional infighting | Nine people, including five civilians, killed in clashes among Ankara-backed factions in rural Al-Bab, east of Aleppo

SOHR activists have reported the death of a civilian of wounds he sustained due to clashes between Ahrar Al-Sham and Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah factions on June 18.

Accordingly, the number of civilian casualties has risen to five.

These violent clashes have also left four fighters of Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah and Ahrar Al-Sham dead.

On June 21, SOHR activists monitored a military meeting between “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyah” on one hand and HTS and Ahrar Al-Sham on the other hand, under direct supervision by Turkish Intelligence in Aleppo countryside.

According to reliable SOHR sources, the factions reached an agreement stating the necessity of redeployment of “Al-Sham Legion” members in Basofan, Fafertin, Kabashin, Borj Haidar and Ba’yah villages in Shirawa district, in exchange for a withdrawal of Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyah faction from areas it recently controlled in Al-Bab countryside east of Aleppo.

Moreover, the agreement stated the necessity of immediately releasing prisoners of both parties and withdrawal of HTS from villages recently controlled in Shirawa district, in exchange for the withdrawal of Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyah from A’oulan village and keep control over Tel Bital and Abla villages in Al-Bab countryside eastern of Aleppo, in addition to the withdrawal of Ahrar Al-Sham from positions of Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyah in Jarablus city, which Ahrar Al-Sham members took over during the last battle between both factions.

The agreement terms also stated the cancelation of the Peace Committee and all decisions issued by them in Ahrar al-Sham and Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyah case in Aleppo countryside, and referring the file to Turkish Intelligence. Moreover, the “Revolutionary Commission” factions would stay on the frontlines of Idlib countryside and western Aleppo countryside.

It is worth noting that Hay’at Thae’ron threatened to withdraw from all frontlines with the regime in western Idlib and Aleppo countryside, after HTS controlled villages in “Olive Branch” area. The Turkish side pledged to expel HTS and prevent it from advancing in the area.

On June 18, SOHR activists reported that violent clashes broke out between Ahrar Al-Sham and Third Corps headed by Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah faction in Al-Bab countryside, east of Aleppo.

The clashes ended after Turkish intelligence intervened and the rival factions between them were resolved.

The clashes left four civilians, including a child, dead and 11 people, including a child, sustained critical injury and four fighters injured.