...al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate, from which sprang the Islamic State...(HTS) rebel group, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, on Wednesday issued a warning to demonstrators protesting against HTS's rule.
HTS was formerly affiliated to al-Qaeda and controls much of Syria's northwestern Idlib province.
HTS security forces accompanied by military fighters are on high alert in and around Idlib city, sources from the area told The New Arab's Arabic edition al-Araby al-Jadeed.
They have set up dozens of checkpoints and positions at entrances to the city and on roads leading to it and other major cities in Idlib province, the sources said.
Since the start of 2024, Idlib and the surrounding areas have seen protests against HTS's practices — from torture in prisons to the monopolisation of the region's economic and security administration.
Al-Araby al-Jadeed's sources said the protests against al-Jolani continued in towns and villages in Idlib province such as Taftanaz, Binnish, and Maarrat Misrin.