HTS deploys military reinforcements to Syria’s Afrin
AFRIN, Syria (North Press) – Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front) dispatched on Saturday evening military reinforcements to the Ghazawiyah crossing, which connects the Turkish-occupied Afrin region, and HTS-held areas in Idlib Governorate, northwest Syria.
A military source of the HTS told North Press that the motive behind sending the reinforcements was Turkey’s recent establishment of new military posts in the Ghazawiyah area in the south of Afrin.
The source pointed out that the reinforcements were sent by the factions of Abu Bakr and Omar affiliated with the HTS.
Simultaneously, the HTS and the Turkish forces were on a high alert state along the entire Syrian-Turkish border, as Turkey is collaborating with the HTS to control the border and hinder the influx of refugees into Turkey, the source added.
The source further explained that HTS’ military reinforcements successfully reached Afrin, facilitated by a joint force from the Sultan Suleiman Shah Division (al-Amshat) and Hamza Division, both affiliated with the Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, aka the Syrian National Army (SNA).
U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated the Suleiman Shah Brigade (al-Amshat), the Hamza Division and their leaders due to committing serious human rights abuses against those residing in Afrin Region, particularly the Kurds.