Evading sanctions, Turkish-backed Syrian opposition factions declare new alliance
IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – On Tuesday, four factions under the Syrian National Army (SNA) declared a new alliance under the name “Freedom and Construction Movement”.
The alliance comes in the wake of new sanctions that will target the SNA and may rank them on terrorism list, according to news reports.
Ahrar al-Sharqiya, the Brigade 20, al-Sharqiya Army, al-Shamal Sector (northern sector) in Suqur al-Shamal Brigade, four Syrian opposition factions, released a joint statement announcing integration under a new military formation with the title of “Freedom and Construction Movement”.
In late July 2021, the US Department of Treasury designated Ahrar al-Sharqiya on charges of assassinating the Syrian Kurdish politician Havrin Khalaf, amid information of cooperation between Ahrar al-Sharqiya and the Islamic State (ISIS), according to the US Treasury.
“Ahrar al-Sharqiya which is active in northern Syria and two of its leaders are designated because of violation of civilians’ rights and their systematic assault on the Syrian Kurds, including abduction, enforced deportation, torture, murder, and confiscation of properties,” the US Department of Treasury said.