HTS arrests 8 militants affiliated to al-Qahtani in Idlib
IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – The General Security Service (GSS) of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front), arrested on Saturday eight security militants affiliated to Abu Maria al-Qahtani, a prominent leader within the HTS, who is under house arrest.
On August 17, leader of the HTS, Abu Muhammad al-Julani, imposed a house arrest on al-Qahtani on charges of intentions to overthrow al-Julani.
The HTS arrested eight men and transferred them to a security center known as the Central Security 107 in the city of Idlib, northwest Syria, to complete investigations with them, based on instructions by al-Julani, an exclusive source told North Press.
The raids, arrests, and security investigations are currently focusing on the figures and activities related to al-Qahtani, based on instructions issued by al-Julani, the source said.
The GSS also raided the homes and tents of the IDPs in Deir Hassan camp, north of Idlib, and arrested 20 people, including four women, on charges of launching demonstrations against the HTS.
Jihadist Abu Maria al-Qahtani, whose real name is Muyassar Ibn Ali al-Juburi, was born in Iraq in 1976 and later fought the US army in Iraq. During the Syrian conflict, he played a role in founding al-Nusra Front and later played a senior role in the HTS.
The HTS has been experiencing internal divisions for over two months, with one faction supporting al-Qahtani and another supporting al-Julani. These divisions became evident during a recent security campaign that targeted numerous leaders and militants affiliated with the group, particularly within the GSS.