Military alert follows tension between Turkish-backed factions in Syria’s Afrin
NORTHERN ALEPPO COUNTRYSIDE, Syria (North Press) – Afrin city witnessed on Tuesday military alert between the two Turkish-backed “military and civilian police” factions following dispute between Sultan Suleiman Shah Known as “al-Amshat” and al-Jabha al-Shamiya (Levant Front).
Recent disputes, which became to the surface, and persecuting al-Amshat leader were just “excuses to bring a faction to the light on expense of other factions, given that they all are involved in the violations,” a source close to the factions pointed out.
The Military and civil police factions set up checkpoints in the city neighborhoods and the surrounding area, in addition to the intensive security deployment in the area, an eyewitness told to North Press.
The alert followed a tension between the Levant Front and al-Amshat factions after the latter set a checkpoint in the areas held by the Levant Front, the source added.
The alert came days after, Muhammad al-Jassem, al-Amshat leader, appeared in front of “an investigation committee of three” on charges of committing violations and abuses in the area, according to the source.
In late 2021, opposition factions opened files and filled complaints against Sultan Suleiman Shah faction and its leaders over abuses he and his faction committed in Sheikh al-Hadid area north of Aleppo.
On Monday evening, Sheikh al-Hadid in Afrin countryside witnessed a military tension between al-Amshat faction and Levant Front.
The city of Afrin and its villages, north of Aleppo, have been controlled by Turkish forces and the affiliated factions since March 2018.
Since 2018, 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.