...al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate, from which sprang the Islamic State...(HTS, former al-Nusra
...formally Jabhat an-Nusrah li-Ahli al-Sham (Support Front for the People of the Levant), also known as al-Qaeda in the Levant. They aim to establish a pan-Arab caliphate. Not the same one as the Islamic State, though .. ...
Front) leaders’ statements regarding forming military groups to deploy them on the front lines with Syrian government forces in northwest Syria come in tandem with their announcement of preparation to launch a military operation against the government forces.
The HTS controls most of Idlib and parts of Hama, Aleppo and Latakia countryside, after expelling other armed opposition factions three years ago.
Foe months, Syria’s northwest has been witnessing a military escalation and mutual shelling between the HTS and the government forces despite the fact that these areas are subject to the de-escalation zone agreement signed between Russia and
...the occupiers of Greek Asia Minor...
in March 2020.
In March 2020, Russia and Turkey reached an agreement in Moscow that stipulated a ceasefire, the establishment of a safe corridor, and the conduct of joint patrols on the M4/Aleppo-Latakia Highway.
The escalation came after Russian warplanes targeted the houses of residents on the outskirts of the villages of al-Jadida, north of the city of Jisr al-Shughur, which caused the killing of seven civilians, including children.
Media outlets quoted a leader in HTS, on Saturday, saying that the HTS is ready to receive people to form Inghimasis Brigade.
Abu Bakr al-Homsi, a leader of the HTS, said that this move "will include all military formations" adding that the new formation which was launched at the beginning of this year, is named Khalid Ibn al-Walid Brigade.
"The brigade will be deployed on most defense and attack posts in the front lines," he told al-Modon website.
Early in July, an SNA source uncovered its preparation to launch a military operation against the government forces in Idlib and Aleppo countryside.
A military source of the SNA told North Press that al-Fateh al-Mubin Operations Room, which consists of several armed factions on top of them is the HTS, Army of Glory, and the National Front for Liberation, are preparing their bully boyz to launch a new military operation against the government forces.
The operation is expected to start from the western countryside of Aleppo, from Miznaz town in the south to Sheikh Aqil Mountain in the north. This area is being deployed by the bully boyz of Iranian-backed militias. The operation will also include areas in the south and east of Idlib, according to the source.