HTS launches largest campaign of arrests in Idlib since protests started
IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front) launched on Saturday the largest campaign of arrests since the protests erupted against the group months ago in Idlib Governorate, northwestern Syria.
An source in the General Security Service (GSS) of HTS told North Press that HTS’ leader, Abu Mohammad al-Julani, ordered the GSS to carry out widespread arrest campaign in Idlib and countryside.
These arrests came following a clash that occurred on Friday between protesters and security forces in Idlib. The HTS dispersed the protests against the group amidst a state of security chaos and intensive security presence in the cities and towns.
Anti-HTS protests have erupted in various areas of Idlib and the countryside of Aleppo, since late February sparked by the killing of a man under torture in HTS prisons according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The protesters demand the overthrowing of al-Julani and the release of detainees held in the group’s prisons.
The source added that the arrests were carried out in the city of Idlib and the towns of Kafraya, al-Fu’ah, Binnish, Sarmin, Taftanaz, Maarrat Misrin, Atmeh, in addition to the Killi and Atmeh camps, and the town of al-Atarib in the countryside of Aleppo.
Moreover, security forces blocked the entrances to the aforementioned villages and towns amidst a high tension in the city and countryside of Idlib as protests continue against HTS’ security policies.
The source pointed out that the GSS investigated with five media activists for covering the protests in a way that “opposes HTS and undermines its authority.”
The HTS controls half of Idlib and parts of Hama, Aleppo, and Latakia governorates in northwestern Syria. Additionally, it has established the Salvation Government which is considered the civil wing of the group.