HTS arrests dozens in Syria’s Idlib, people protest
ALEPPO/IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – Militants of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front) raided on Sunday evening houses of the members of Hizb Attahrir-Syria (Liberation Party – affiliated with ISIS) in the town of Deir Hassan in the north of Idlib, northwestern Syria, and arrested some of them.
An exclusive source told North Press that the Security Apparatus and the Special Unit of the HTS arrested about 18 member of the Attahrir in Deir Hassan.
The HTS has been raiding areas in Idlib Governorate searching for Attahrir members. The raid in Deir Hassan led to clashes between the tow parties.
Hizb Attahrir-Syria was founded at the beginning of the Syrian conflict. It calls for the establishment of the Islamic Caliphate. The party does not have a military wing, however, its activities are limited to just statements, brochures, and calling for demonstrations.
Following the incident, people of Deir Hassan, including women, took to the streets. But the HTS militants used live ammunition, the matter led to armed clashes between the HTS and the Attahrir militants. One injured and another killed.
The HTS’ raid in the area comes within its campaign through which it has arrested more than 40 persons of Hizb Attahrir in Idlib countryside.
In the same context, people in the city of Azaz and the town of Mar’ea, north of Aleppo, took to the streets on Sunday evening to protest what they called the arbitrary arrests conducted by militants of the HTS in Idlib Governorate.
Both Azaz and Mar’ea have been controlled by the Syrian opposition backed by Turkey since 2016.
The protesters expressed their rejection to the arrests saying that the HTS plans to take over the SNA areas.