SNA, HTS clash after dispute over crossing revenue in Aleppo
ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – Clashes renewed on Sunday between factions of the Turkish-backed the Syrian National Army (SNA), and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) after failing to agree upon sharing control over the al-Hamran crossing in the city of Jarablus, northern Syria.
A military leader within the SNA told North Press that clashes started when Ahrar al-Sham Eastern Branch faction, Brigade 50, and the Shahba Gathering, all affiliated with the HTS, attacked posts of the SNA’s Second Legion. The clashes continued until early Monday after the intervention of neutral factions.
On Feb. 2, the Ahrar al-Sham (Eastern Branch), Liwa al-Tawhid, Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement and Brigade 50 announced the formation of the Shahba Gathering. The SNA did not acknowledge the formation affiliated with the HTS.
According to the same sources, in the past 12 hours, the clashes have led to the killing of seven individuals from both sides, and around 20 people have been injured, some of them severely. Moreover, the main roads linking the cities of al-Bab, Jarablus, and Azaz have been blocked as a result of the ongoing hostilities.
An unidentified airstrike reportedly targeted a position belonging to Ahrar al-Sham near the city of al-Bab, east of Aleppo. The attack occurred in early Monday. Reports regarding casualties from the airstrike are inconsistent, with uncertain information suggesting that four individuals were killed and three others were injured.
Opposition media outlets circulated reports of a Turkish drone strike targeting the abovementioned faction’s post. However, others claimed that the attack was carried out by a drone affiliated with one of the factions of the SNA’s Second Legion.
The military source expected that the clashes will renew again due to the ongoing support provided by HTS to its allied factions, as they aim to gain control over the crossing. This crossing holds significant economic importance as a source of income for SNA factions.
The source also noted that no agreement has been reached between the conflicting parties at this point.