Unknown gunmen kill 2 HTS militants in Syria’s Idlib
IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – On Thursday, two militants were killed and three others were injured within the ranks of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS – formerly al-Nusra Front), as unidentified gunmen targeted their checkpoint on al-Mastouma-Ariha road, south of Idlib Governorate, northwest Syria.
An exclusive source told North Press that “unidentified gunmen targeted a military checkpoint of the HTS with light machine guns during vehicle inspection operations on the al-Mastouma-Ariha road.”
The source added that the attack resulted in the killing of two militants and the injury of three others. Following the attack, the General Security Service (GSS), affiliated with the HTS, imposed a security cordon around the site.
Incidents of targeting HTS militants and leaders in Idlib have been repeating since June 18 by unknown armed individuals.
The HTS has been experiencing internal divisions for over two months, with one faction supporting Abu Maria al-Qahtani, a prominent leader within the HTS, and another supporting the HTS leader, 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.