HTS takes control of Jindires from SNA following killing incident
AFRIN, Syria (North Press) – On Tuesday, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front) seized the town of Jindires, northwest Syria, form the Turkish-backed opposition’s Syrian National Army (SNA) after a faction of the latter sparked a public outrage and protests after killing four Kurdish civilians a day earlier.
On Monday, an SNA faction called Jaysh al-Sharqiya killed four Kurdish civilians and injured others in Jindires countryside while they were lighting fire to celebrate Newroz.
Social media users circulated a recent photo of HTS’ leader Abu Muhammad al-Jolani accompanied by a leader in Jaysh al-Sharqiya called Hassan Dabaa who is accused of killing the Kurdish people in Jindires.
A source told North Press, “HTS deployed members of its General Security Apparatus in all of the town’s neighborhoods during the funeral procession of those who were killed last night. The procession headed to their final resting place in the town’s cemetery.”
The source added that the HTS took control of the SNA’s Military Police headquarters in the town and the local council building, affiliated with the opposition’s Interim Government. “The HTS also demanded Turkish-backed Military Police leave in their uniforms only and not take anything with them from their offices.”
The HTS also set up a checkpoint on the Atma-Deir Ballout road after SNA’s Sham Legion withdrew its forces from the site. It also installed another one at the western entrance of Jindires and one on the road leading to al-Hamam border crossing, according to the source.