HTS arrests three foreign fighters in Syria’s Idlib
IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS – formerly al-Nusra Front) raided on Tuesday dawn, homes of three militants of Firqat al-Ghuraba group in the town of Harem, west of Idlib, on charges of dealing with the US-led Global Coalition.
An exclusive source told North Press that HTS members raided the house of Abu Dujana al-Fransi, Abdurrahman al-Muhajir and Abu Suhaib, and took them to the interrogation center in the city of Sarmada, north of Idlib, under the pretext that there is evidence that they had exchanged information with the US-led Global Coalition.
Firqat al-Ghuraba is an active jihadist group aligned with al-Qaeda based in opposition-held areas in Idlib Governorate in northwestern Syria. The group mostly consists of foreign militants from Europe with many, including the group’s leader, originating from France and Belgium.
The source stated that the arrests of foreign militants on charges of dealing with external parties have recently increased, especially against Uzbeks and Russians. In the previous weeks, 16 foreign fighters were arrested.
The town of Harem and Salqin contain around 125 families of foreign militants of the Firqat al-Ghuraba group, according to a source from the HTS’ Development Office in Harem.
Recently, HTS has tightened the screws on foreign fighters who are not allied with it. Dozens of these militants are currently held in HTS prisons, and Ankara continues to receive them, without knowledge of the purpose behind it.
Founded in 2017, HTS controls the city of Idlib and the western countryside of Aleppo, using the Salvation Government as a political and administrative umbrella since.