Opposition factions build up forces in Syria’s Afrin
ALEPPO NORTHERN COUNTRYSIDE, Syria (North Press) – Turkish-backed Syrian armed opposition factions in the city of Afrin in the northern countryside of Aleppo, north Syria, mobilized their forces yesterday over disputes to put on trial members of Sultan Suleiman Shah (al-Amshat) faction and its leadership for committing violations in the area.
In late 2021, the factions opened investigations and law suits filed against al-Amshat faction and its leadership in Shiyeh (Sheikh Hadid) district in Afrin countryside.
“Jaysh al-Sharqiya faction, Ahrar al-Sharqiya faction and al-Jabha al-Shamiya faction mobilized fighters in Afrin preparing to participate in any military action against al-Amshat faction,” a special source told North Press.
Also, Tha’eroun Movement, including Sultan Murad, Faylaq al-Sham, the First Division, Montaser Billah and Thuwar al-Sham declared the stand by.
On the other hand, Liwa Samarqand and Liwa Soqour al-Shamal sent military units to Sheikh Hadid to support al-Amshat faction, the source said.
Leader of al-Mawali tribe council, known as Abu Zedan has warned al-Jabha al-Shamiya to launch a military action against them in case al-Jabha al-Shamiya attacked Sheikh Hadid area which is controlled by al-Amshat faction, the source added.
Al-Mawali is a tribe deployed in the opposition-held areas in northwest Syria and the countryside of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa.
In early January, the people of Jindires district, west of Afrin, took to the streets demanding holding leader of al-Amshat faction, known as Abu Amsha, accountable because he was involved in corruption cases and violations committed in the area.
Abu Amsha is the leader of al-Amshat faction. His faction controls the whole of Sheikh Hadid district and he has committed widespread violations there.
The city of Afrin and its villages, north of Aleppo, have been controlled by Turkish forces and the affiliated factions since March 2018.
Since then, the region has been witnessing ongoing security chaos accompanied by infighting among militants of the Turkish-backed factions, arrests, and kidnappings amid the factions’ disability to settle the security and spread safety.