The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

At Turkish intelligence’s orders | HTS arrests prominent 25 commanders and members arrested in a week, while senior Egyptian jihadist flees to Turkey

HTS coordinates with Turkish intelligence to polish its image in front of international community

Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham has continued the campaign it launched a week ago, targeting extremist prominent jihadists affiliated to the group. In this context, SOHR sources have reported that HTS security services have arrested at least 15 commanders and ten members of the jihadist group, at Turkish intelligence’s orders. The campaign has been concentrated in Al-Dubayt, Al-Jame’a and Al-Sa’a neighbourhoods in Idlib city, the ares of Salqin, Al-Dana and Sarmada in northern Idlib, on the Syria border with Iskenderun region.

 

According to SOHR sources, the jihadist commanders who have been arrested recently included:

 

  • “Abu Al-Qasim Al-Shami,” a former judge in Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham.

 

  • “Abu Bakr Mahin,” the leader of “Liwaa Ali” which is a prominent faction affiliated to Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham and a former commander in the former “Jabhat Al-Nusra” in Qalamoun.

 

  • “Abu Malek Al-Telli” who was arrested while escorting “Abu Bakr Mahin.”

 

  • “Abu Hafs,” a prominent commander in “Liwaa Talha” which is a prominent battalion affiliated to Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham.

 

  • “Abu Saied Al-Homsi,” a prominent commander in “Al-Asa’ib Al-Hamraa” (the Red Headbands). “Al-Asa’ib Al-Hamraa” group is HTS elite forces.

 

The campaign of arrests against prominent jihadist of HTS started after HTS security service had arrested tens of jihadists of Syrian and non-Syrian nationalities in “Hurras Al-Din” organisation and other jihadist organisations and groups, as well as curbing activity of many jihadist groups in the region.

 

These developments come as a part of understandings and coordination between Turkish intelligence and Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham, led by “Abu Mohammad Al-Julani,” with the aim of polishing HTS’ image in front of international community and changing the international community’s stance towards the terrorist-labeled group.

 

In the meantime, SOHR sources have reported that HTS is prosecuting other extremist jihadist in areas under its control, as many have been hidden, while others have been fled from these areas, fearing arrests. Among those who have fled from HTS-controlled areas was the senior jihadist and former commander in HTS and Al-Qaeda, “Abu Al-Yaqazan Al-Masri,” who fled to Turkey.