Tahrir al-Sham arrests military commander of Ansar al-Islam in Syria’s Idlib

IDLIB (North Press) – Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front) arrested on Friday, the military commander of Ansar al-Islam () group in the city of Idlib, northwestern Syria.

The General Security Service of HTS arrested the military commander of Ansar al-Islam, known as Abi Abdulmatin, in the city of Idlib, a local source told North Press.

The reason for the arresting was that Ansar al-Islam made a prisoner exchange process with the Syrian government forces on December 10, west of Aleppo, as they refused to raise HTS flag during the exchange process, the source added.

On December 10, HTS arrested Abu Hafs al-Shami, a leader in the Guardians of Religion group, and a number of his relatives in the village of Hamama in Jisr al-Shughour countryside, west of Idlib.

There is tension between HTS and the other jihadi groups, especially the Guardians of Religion group, over the past months, which has led to battles and clashes between them.

Ansar al-Islam is operating in Idlib governorate and the northern countryside of Hama and Latakia.

It is worth noting that the Wa Harid al-Mu’minin Operations Room was established on November 15, 2018, and it consists of Guardians of Religion group, Ansar al-Din Front, Ansar al-Tawhid, Ansar al-Islam group, and several other Turkish-backed armed opposition groups.

Reporting by Bara’ al-Shami