Turkish forces close crossings connecting SNA, HTS-held areas in Aleppo
ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – Sixteen militants were killed and others were injured Friday in clashes between the Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, aka the Syrian National Army (SNA), and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS – formerly al-Nusra Front). As a result, Turkish forces closed the crossings between areas controlled by the two parties.
The clashes were erupted due to disputes between the two sides regarding the control of the Hamran crossing in Jarablus, eastern countryside of Aleppo.
A military source told North Press, “Turkish forces have closed the Ghazawiya and Deir Balout crossings that connect areas controlled by the HTS and others by the SNA, coinciding with the clashes in the Euphrates Shield area between the two sides for control of the Hamran crossing.”
The source mentioned that the closure of the crossings aims to prevent the arrival of military reinforcements from the HTS to the Euphrates Shield area, where it was trying to support factions affiliated with it.”
The source also indicated that the closure of the crossings came suddenly from the Turkish side without informing the crossing management, as is usually done, and tanks and two military vehicles were placed on the main roads of the crossings to close them, causing a significant congestion of commercial trucks and civilian vehicles as they are the main route between the conflicting areas of control.