The opposition Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has become active again in Syria. For two days there have been reports of intense fighting in the direction of Aleppo and Idlib. This is the first major attack against the Bashar al-Assad regime since the agreement reached between Türkiye and Russia in March 2020.
There were reportedly heavy casualties on both sides. According to information, HTS forces are moving towards the city center of Aleppo. Anti-regime forces control an area of 400 square kilometers in the Aleppo and Idlib regions. Before that, it was under the control of Assad militants.
Brigadier General Kiyamars Purhashimi, advisor to the commander of the Quds Forces of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (SEPAH), was also killed in those battles.
This shows that the authorities in Tehran are fighting the opposition forces of the Bashar al-Assad regime under the pretext of protecting the territorial integrity of Syria.
According to SEPAH information sources, Iran has warned Turkey not to interfere in Syria’s internal affairs. Tehran claims that Russia and the Islamic Republic are in the country “with the permission of the Syrian authorities” (i.e., the Bashar al-Assad regime).
Assad’s security sources said Iran and Russia will send military equipment, “Fateh-110” and “Scud” missiles and trained Syrian technicians to Syria to attack HTS positions.
What is HTS? It is an armed political group against the Assad regime, affiliated with the Syrian Salvation Government. “Tahrir al-Sham” or “Sham Liberation Committee (Damascus)” on January 28, 2017 “Jabhe-Fatih al-Sham” (formerly Al-Nusra Front), “Ansaruddin Front”, “Jayshu’s-Sunnah” , “Liva al-Haq” groups and Nureddin Zangi Movement were formed as a result of the merger.
Currently, the association is led by Jabha leaders Fatih al-Sham and former leaders of Ahrar al-Sham. The high command was made up of other groups. In 2020, there is information that there are up to 15 thousand fighters in their ranks. Since 2017, the official commander and leader of HTS is Abu Muhammad al-Jevlani.
The United States, Canada and Türkiye recognize it as a terrorist group.
Fighting continues in the area near the Afrin region controlled by the Turkish Armed Forces. The country’s Ministry of National Defense said they are closely monitoring the conflict in northern Syria. According to information, the National Liberation Front and “Jaish-ul-Izza” are also involved in the fighting.
Why did all this start now? Pro-Iran “Hezbollah”, Assad-affiliated militants and Russian military have reportedly attacked civilians in southern Idlib in recent weeks.
Türkiye has complained about failing to prevent attacks by the regime’s army and others in Syria at several international meetings. However, Iran, Bashar Assad, Hezbollah and Russia have not taken steps in this direction.
From Turkey it was reported that Israel’s operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon prevented the operations planned by the opposition groups until November 27 so as not to increase tension in the region.
Sources in Iran, Russia and Bashar al-Assad blame Turkey for starting the war.
In Astana, Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Russia and Iran reached an agreement on Idlib and Aleppo. According to this agreement, no operations will be carried out in these regions. There will be a patrol service made up of Turkish and Russian soldiers.
However, the conflict between Israel and Lebanon does not affect the situation in Syria. The Iranian authorities abuse the name of Bashar al-Assad and use the territory of this country as a means of pressure against Israel. This is confirmed by the fact that several generals and high-ranking soldiers of the IRGC have died in armed conflicts in the Arab Republic or as a result of Israeli airstrikes.
Tehran is trying to legally disguise its actions in this country citing Assad’s invitation. However, the international community did not recognize the “elections” held in the country where almost half of the population lives displaced, which ensured that Bashar Assad remained in office as president. Their recognition is useful for Tehran and Moscow to remain in Syria.
In this sense, Tehran’s accusation against Ankara is unfounded. Terrorist groups such as the PKK, which are concentrated in Iraq and Syria, threaten the territorial integrity and security of Türkiye. The absence of a central authority or a partial regime cannot completely control the country’s territory. Therefore, Türkiye has the right to protect its territorial integrity, sovereignty and security from terrorists.
Iran is also attacking US military positions in Syria. The US military base near the Ash-Shaddadi settlement in the northeastern province of Hasaka was reportedly attacked on 26 November.
In the future, the activation of opposition forces in Aleppo and Idlib may prevent the advance of the PKK terrorist group in those regions.
After the ceasefire with Lebanon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the Syrian regime “not to play with fire.” It is well known that Israel has a positive attitude towards the PKK branches in Syria. Therefore, it can be assumed that in the direction we are talking about in perspective, the plan they had foreseen was violated on November 27 by the HTS against Assad.
Bashar al-Assad was somewhat overshadowed when Hezbollah waged war against Israel. At times it even seemed that it was not in the same situation as Tehran. However, the truce reached with Lebanon once again makes the question of Syria relevant, including Assad. Because the security of the Jewish State is threatened from this country.
Bashar visited Moscow on November 27 to find a way out of the situation. This is his third visit to Russia this year.
Therefore, one can think that after “Hezbollah” and Hamas, Bashar Assad’s turn has come. The HTS attack is considered a sign of this.
Information Agency “Informe”
