By Agid Meshmesh
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Northern Storm Brigade, a prominent Turkish-backed faction in the city of Azaz in the north of Aleppo, northwest Syria, announced the arrest of four individuals on charges related to the bombing of the Azaz market a week ago.
The detainees were subsequently handed over to the Turkish-backed al-Jabha al-Shamiya (Levant Front) amidst conflicting accusations and escalating events that signal a potential serious military escalation in the region.
The Northern Storm Brigade faction is responsible for maintaining military and security operations in Azaz, while al-Jabha al-Shamiya is a coalition of several factions within the Syrian National Army, controlling towns in the Aleppo countryside. Its headquarters are located near the Bab al-Salama border crossing with Turkey, housing the offices of the Syrian Opposition Coalition.
According to the Northern Storm Brigade faction, surveillance footage revealed that an individual identified as Tamer al-Khalaf, also known as Abu Yamen al-Homsi was present in a car following the booby-trapped vehicle from a distance. He then detonated it using an explosive device, resulting in the killing and injury of approximately 30 individuals.
A car bomb exploded on March 31, in a popular market in the city of Azaz, killing eight people and injuring about 35 others.
The faction added that al-Homsi is associated with the Ahrar Olan faction, also known as the Ahrar al-Sham (Eastern Sector), which is affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS – formerly al-Nusra Front) in the Aleppo countryside. It was mentioned that three other individuals were arrested alongside him, and they were handed over to al-Jabha al-Shamiya.”
Media outlets related to the Northern Storm Brigade faction in Azaz released audio recordings in which al-Homsi threatened to kill anyone who protested against Abu Mohammad al-Julani.
Media outlets affiliated with the Northern Storm Brigade faction in Azaz have released audio recordings in which al-Homsi is threatening to kill anyone who protests against Abu Mohammad al-Julani.
The media outlets questioned whether there is any doubt remaining regarding al-Julani being the one responsible for disrupting security in the “liberated areas” and sending booby-trapped objects to the liberated north. The term “liberated” is used by military factions in northern Syria to refer to areas under the control of Turkish-backed factions.
These events occurred simultaneously with Turkish pressure to dismantle the Shahba Gathering factions, which are affiliated with HTS in the region. Furthermore, there was an attack on a convoy of Turkish officials, which later revealed the involvement of the Gathering. Additionally, there are disputes over millions of dollars at the Hamran crossing, which is managed by HTS and its affiliated entities.
In response to the escalating tensions against SNA factions, the Eastern Sector issued a statement asserting that it had been in contact with al-Jabha al-Shamiya, which informed them that the detainees “do not belong to the Eastern Sector.”
Previously, Ahrar al-Sham faction engaged in intense clashes with the Turkish-backed factions in the Aleppo countryside. These clashes took place during battles for control of the Hamran crossing and in the city of al-Bab, following the assassination of a civilian activist. Ahrar al-Sham was accused of involvement in the assassination.
Syrian military expert and defector Brigadier General Ahmad Rahal indicated that all indications pointed to Abu Mohammad al-Julani’s involvement in the explosion. He suggested that the pressure on al-Julani in Idlib and the dismantling of the Shahba Gathering in the Aleppo countryside might have prompted such actions.
During an interview with North Press, al-Rahal stressed, “This is primarily a message directed at Turkey, indicating that al-Julani is ready to ignite the region if provoked.”
In response to the Eastern Sector’s statement, armed faction leaders have begun promoting a new narrative, alleging that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were responsible for the explosion. They claim that the detainees do not belong to any military factions, whether affiliated with the SNA or HTS.