HTS arrests own faction leaders in Syria’s Idlib
IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – The General Security Service (GSS) of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front) arrested on Monday two leaders of Ahrar al-Sham faction (Eastern Sector), affiliated with the HTS, on charges of having connections with the Khmeimim Air Base, a Russian-controlled base in Latakia, western Syria.
An official in the GSS told North Press that the service raided the headquarters of Ahrar al-Sham faction (Eastern Sector) in Idlib, northwestern Syria, and arrested the leaders Abu Walid Ahrar and Abu al-Awf Saraqib, hours after their arrival from the city of Jarablus, northern Syria, to Idlib.
The detained leaders were responsible for managing al-Hamran crossing in near Jarablus, in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo, according to the source.
The GSS source said that the reason for the arrest is the involvement of the detainees in collaborating with the Khmeimim base, adding that this information is based on intelligence reports.
The source noted that the arrest sparked tensions between Ahrar al-Sham and HTS. Both detainees were transferred to the central prison in Idlib, amid demands by Ahrar al-Sham for their release.