Idlib Governorate clashes (June 2020): Difference between revisions
Muhajireen wal Ansar is not officially in the room a few fighters defecting is not the entire group. Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
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== Background == |
== Background == |
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On 5 March 2020, a cease-fire was agreed to between Russia and Turkey, ending the [[Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020)|battle for the province]] that began in December |
On 5 March 2020, a cease-fire was agreed to between Russia and Turkey, ending the [[Northwestern Syria offensive (December 2019–March 2020)|battle for the province]] that began in December 2019. Several Hard-line jihadist groups rejected the ceasefire. On 12 June, several of these groups formed the Be Steadfast Operations Room, to continue violating the cease-fire. |
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Hayat Tahrir al-Sham was engaged in a campaign of arrests of extremist fighters in areas of Idlib province under its control, and saw the new group as a potential threat. HTS began arresting leaders of the new operations room, including Abu Salah Al-Uzbeki, leader of the Ansar al-Din Front, and dissenter Abu Malik al-Tali, leader of the [[Liwa al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar|al-Muqatileen al-Ansar Brigade]] which defected from HTS. In response, the new group began a retaliatory campaign against HTS.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=The New Arab|title=HTS clashes with new Syrian jihadi formation in Idlib province|url=https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2020/6/25/hts-clashes-with-new-jihadi-formation-in-idlib-province|access-date=2020-06-25|website=alaraby|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> |
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The Guardians of Religion Organization set up several checkpoints in areas west of Idlib city, and refused to dismantle them according to HTS.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Infighting between extremist opposition groups reveals tension with HTS rule in Idlib|url=https://syriadirect.org/news/infighting-between-extremist-opposition-groups-reveals-tension-with-hts-rule-in-idlib/|access-date=2020-06-25|website=Syria Direct|language=en}}</ref> Tahrir al-Sham accused the Be Steadfast Operations Room of trying to seize control of Idlib.<ref name="auto"/> |
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== Timeline == |
== Timeline == |
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Revision as of 22:20, 25 June 2020
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| June 2020 Idlib governorate clashes | |||||||
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| Part of the Syrian Civil War | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| File:Flag of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.svg Hayat Tahrir al-Sham |
So Be Steadfast Operations Room
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| File:Flag of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.svg Abu Mohammad al-Julani |
 Abu al-Abd Ashidaa[2] Abu Salah al-Uzbeki (POW) Abu Malik al-Tali (POW) | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| File:Flag of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.svg 4 killed |
5 killed | ||||||
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1 civilian killed, 4 injured Dozens displaced[3] | |||||||
The June 2020 Idlib governorate clashes was an armed conflict between the Be Steadfast Operations room, led by the Guardians of Religion Organization, and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. The conflict began after HTS arrested the leader of the Ansar al-Din Front, Abu Salah Al-Uzbeki, and a dissenting leader of a group within HTS. Hurras al-Din refused to remove its checkpoints in several areas and The fighting ended briefly when HTS and the Guardians of Religion Organization agreed to a ceasefire, but clashes continued immediately the next day.
Background
On 5 March 2020, a cease-fire was agreed to between Russia and Turkey, ending the battle for the province that began in December 2019. Several Hard-line jihadist groups rejected the ceasefire. On 12 June, several of these groups formed the Be Steadfast Operations Room, to continue violating the cease-fire.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham was engaged in a campaign of arrests of extremist fighters in areas of Idlib province under its control, and saw the new group as a potential threat. HTS began arresting leaders of the new operations room, including Abu Salah Al-Uzbeki, leader of the Ansar al-Din Front, and dissenter Abu Malik al-Tali, leader of the al-Muqatileen al-Ansar Brigade which defected from HTS. In response, the new group began a retaliatory campaign against HTS.[4][5]
The Guardians of Religion Organization set up several checkpoints in areas west of Idlib city, and refused to dismantle them according to HTS.[6] Tahrir al-Sham accused the Be Steadfast Operations Room of trying to seize control of Idlib.[4]
Timeline
In response to the arrests of several senior leaders, the Be Steadfast Operations Room deployed fighters to checkpoints in the areas of Armanaz, Arab Said, and Malas. HTS put its fighters throughout the province on high alert.[7][5]
On 23 June, fighting began between the two sides. The Guardians of Religion Organization captured Idlib Central Prison, and the Kansarwah factory, as well as several hosing blocks west of Idlib city.[8] Clashes continued until the end of the day, temporarily halting before resuming the following day.[9]
On 24 June, the two sides brought in vehicles and soldiers to their areas and checkpoints. HTS attacked the Be Steadfast Operations Room's stronghold of Arab Said with tanks and artillery, leading to clashes between the two sides with heavy weapons, while clashes resumed west of Idlib city.[10] Hurras al-Din fighters attacked the Al-Yaqoubiya village checkpoint, and seized control from Tahrir al-Sham. Janudiyah was also seized. Multiple roads between towns witnessing fighters were cut, as civilians fled from Arab Said, which witnessed heavy fighting.[11] Later in the day, the two sides agreed to a cease-fire and urged their fighters to abide by the agreement. 9 fighters from either side were killed, and four civilians were injured in the clashes.[12]
The next day, the cease-fire fell apart. Clashes resumed to the west of Idlib as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham strengthened its positions with gear, soldiers, and vehicles. Meanwhile, HTS brought in reinforcements for a new assault on Arab Said.[13]
A former rebel fighter in Suqour al-Sham Brigades was injured and died from his injuries during clashes west of Idlib city on 25 June when a stray artillery shell landed near his home in the village of Ma'artin.[14]
References
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- ^ "Jihadists in Syria's Idlib Form New 'Operations Room' | Voice of America - English". www.voanews.com.
- ^ a b "Clashes broke out between Tahrir Al-Sham and "Stand Firm" factions west of Idlib city". Call Syria. 23 June 2020.
- ^ "Rival factions | tense calm returns to conflict zones between HTS and "Fa'ethbato" jihadi operation room in Idlib • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". 25 June 2020.
- ^ a b Staff, The New Arab. "HTS clashes with new Syrian jihadi formation in Idlib province". alaraby. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- ^ a b "Clashes broke out between Tahrir Al-Sham and "Stand Firm" factions west of Idlib city". Call Syria. 23 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- ^ "Infighting between extremist opposition groups reveals tension with HTS rule in Idlib". Syria Direct. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- ^ "Escalating violence | Fierce clashes erupt in Idlib, following the arrest of "Al-Talli" and "Al-Britani" • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 23 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- ^ "Jihadist civil war turns ugly as Al-Qaeda linked group seizes several sites in Idlib". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Idlib | "Tahrir al-Sham" and operations room "Ethbatu" fortify their positions, as clashes continue between both sides • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- ^ "West of Idlib | Ongoing factional clashes force dozens of families to flee • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- ^ "Intensifying violence | Four civilians, including woman injured in factional shelling west of Idlib, while roads cut off and families displaced in areas of clashes • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- ^ "Rival factions | tense calm returns to conflict zones between HTS and "Fa'ethbato" jihadi operation room in Idlib • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 25 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- ^ "Factions buildup | HTS continues boosting positions west of Idlib, while clashes renew with jihadi factions of "Fa'ethbato" operation room • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 25 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- ^ "Idlib | War-wounded civilian killed in factional clashes west of the city • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 25 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.