Heavy Clashes Erupt between Rival Militants in Idlib

Rasa - A fierce battle broke out between the two largest militant groups in Syria, as two former allies clashed in Killi, Idlib province.

News ID: 430993

Date: 14 July 2017 - 22:59

RNA - The heavy clashes started when a large Ahrar Al-Sham convoy began moving towards a Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at (the Levant Liberation Board or the al-Nusra Front) base in Killi, and the latter opened fire on teh convoy.

According to opposition activists, clashes have died down now, however, several civilians were wounded during the militants' infighting.

Tensions have heightened in Idlib province between the former allies, as Tahrir al-Sham’s aggression has forced Ahrar al-Sham to fortify many areas in anticipation of a large attack by the al-Qaeda affiliate.

Relevant reports said on Thursday that a suicide blast against one of the positions of Tahrir al-Sham in Idlib left at least 26 terrorists dead and wounded.

Two successive blasts occurred after a suicide bomber blew up a bomb-laden motorcycle near Tahrir al-Sham base near the spinning factory in Idlib.

The blasts inflicted 12 tolls on the terrorists and wounded over 14 others.

Field sources confirmed on Tuesday that another militant group has defected Tahrir al-Sham after Ansar al-Shariyah and Ajnad al-Sham terrorist groups also cut ties with the al-Qaeda-affiliated group.

The sources reported that the al-Tamkeen Brigade, one of the largest factions within Tahrir Al-Sham Hay'at, announced that it would not fight for the al-Qaeda-affiliated group before infighting between rival militant groups is halted for an indefinite period of time.

Ansar al-Shari'a and Ajnad al-Sham terrorist groups had defected Ahrar al-Sham and joined Tahrir Al-Sham but after a while they cut relations with the al-Qaeda-affiliated group too.

Tahrir al-Sham has been engaged in severe tensions and clashes with Ahrar al-Sham in Idlib and Jeish al-Islam in Eastern Ghouta, and reports from the region said the battle has inflicted hundreds of casualties on both sides.

Late in June, Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at suffered another setback, as a large faction defected the terrorist coalition and joined rival Ahrar Al-Sham Movement.

Ansar Al-Shariyah Regiment released a statement, confirming defection from Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at to Ahrar Al-Sham Movement.

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