Elizabeth TsurkovVerified account

Heavy fighting between HTS jihadists and National Liberation Front (Islamists) + Turkish-backed FSA. The sides are using artillery around Atmeh and Dir Balout IDP camps. Injuries & 1 death of civilians reported. Clashes ongoing in western Aleppo countryside as well.

Clashes ongoing in Idlib as well. The National Liberation Front took over several villages in Idlib while Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is gaining ground in western Aleppo. Multiple roads are closed in Idlib and Aleppo due to heavy clashes.

Exams cancelled in Idlib University due to ongoing clashes between rebels & road closures. At least 1 civilian was killed by shelling in the Deir Balout IDP camp. Civilians are cowering in their homes, hoping to avoid being hit by a stray bullet or shell.

Big victory for HTS in western Aleppo. HTS gained control of Anjara, the main HQ of Nur a-Din a-Zenki movement (part of the National Liberation Front). HTS lost several villages in southern Idlib to the NLF.

Ongoing negotiations between HTS & NLF. The NLF to retreat from all areas they captured in latest offensive in Idlib. HTS is also demanding control of Maarat al-Numan, Jarjanaz & Ariha, dissolution of Suqur al-Sham (NLF sub-faction) & arrest of those among them who fought HTS.

The exorbitant demands made by HTS demonstrate their confidence: their opponents, the NLF & Turkish-baked FSA in northern Aleppo, are divided, irresolute & weak + Turkey, the NLF's backer, is apparently content to sit on the sidelines & see its rebels destroyed in Idlib.

A friend in al-Atareb: HTS is trying to storm the town, firing machine guns. "The civilians are terrified, remain indoors. Electricity has been cut off. Young children are crying. We ask God for a relief from suffering."

Fighting has halted around al-Atareb as locals negotiate with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham regarding the fate of the besieged town, where about 50,000 people currently reside. Many anti-jihadist activists and fighters live in the town & would not be safe under HTS rule.

Terrible, symbolic moment in the history of the Syrian uprising: The town of al-Atareb, which resisted the regime, ISIS and other jihadists, surrendered to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham jihadists after being placed under siege. It will be governed by the HTS "Salvation Government"

Under the agreement, rebels fighting with the Turkish-backed "Euphrates Shield" faction will not be allowed to return to their homes. Thuwar al-Sham rebels who fought HTS will be referred to trial. Surrender was negotiated by civilians & the town's rebels appear resistant to it

Previous vows by the Turkish-backed FSA to go fight HTS did not result in more than skirmishes and shelling. However, the First Legion (Faylaq al-Awwal) is very close to Turkey, so it's safe to assume they wouldn't mobilize without Ankara's approval.

The commander of Thuwar al-Sham in al-Atareb, Taher al-Taher, if refusing to accept the conditions of the deal imposed by HTS (which was reached by civilian negotiators). HTS is urging civilians in al-Atareb to attack the rebels to coerce them to abide by the deal.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham now controls al-Atareb after it was placed under siege and surrendered overnight to HTS. HTS commanders are trying to assure locals they won't arrest opponents. Time will tell.https://twitter.com/IdlibPlus/status/1081826484648595456 …

As part of the surrender deal to HTS, rebels from al-Atareb and their families are now being displaced to Efrin, northern Aleppo, a formerly majority-Kurdish area under direct Turkish control.

Members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham WhatsApp groups are sharing threats to launch attacks on Ariha and Maarat al-Numan in Idlib next. Both towns are held by the Islamist National Liberation Front. Could just be bragging/wishful thinking.

Handover of Sahl al-Ghab region to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham jihadist follows a pattern developed under regime "reconciliation" deals. Displacement of those refusing HTS rule, integration of local fighters willing to surrenderhttps://twitter.com/AbuJamajem/status/1082953102536396800 …