Clashes between HTS, Turkish-backed faction continue in Syria’s Aleppo
ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – Clashes between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front) and the Third Legion of the Turkish-backed opposition Syrian National Army (SNA) continued on Monday in the villages of Kafr Janneh and Maryamin in the countryside of Afrin, north of Aleppo.
An exclusive source told North Press, “Clashes between the two parties are still ongoing, amid reports that Turkish officials held a meeting with the leadership of the Third Legion.”
The source added, “The HTS shelled with mortar shells the vicinity of the Turkish base at Kafr Janneh, amid frequent flight of Turkish helicopters and reconnaissance drones in the area.”
The source said, “Some circulating news suggest the Turkish forces’ intention to halt the advance of the HTS in Aleppo northern countryside, and to bombard its positions in the area.”
The source noted, “The clashes are still going on in the area, as the SNA factions of Ahrar al-Sham, Hamza Division and Sultan Suleiman shah [al-Amshat] deploy in the villages of Kafr Ghan and Baraghedeh, east of Azaz, to besiege the Third Legion in Azaz city.”
The clashes intensified on Monday after leaders of the Third Legion refused an agreement that had been signed earlier with the HTS on Friday.