Heavy fighting between al-Qaeda’s Syrian faction, the Tahrir al-Sham, and Turkish-aligned fighters from Nouraddin al-Zinki continued to rage on Thursday,
with several days of fighting in and around Aleppo Province threatening
to spill over into Idlib, and start to involve the territory of even
more rebel groups.
Al-Qaeda appears to be on the offensive now, attacking several towns,
and seizing Darat Izza, a strategically important town. Al-Qaeda insists
that the other side started the fighting, and these offensives are
simply their response.
Darat Izza seems to be a particularly key town in all of this, as other
rebel groups say they believe that it would greatly strengthen
al-Qaeda’s bargaining position with Turkey in the “secret talks” they
believe are ongoing.
Exact death tolls are not available, but both sides are believed to have
lost dozens of fighters. Only about five civilian deaths are confirmed
so far, with most fighting not happening in populated areas. As the
fighting expands, this could change, however.
It is rather risky for Al-Qaeda. They have no strength, and the inly reason is to create another front for Turkey and refocus from YPG. But as they are violating the deal on demilitarized zone, other options are open. This is very fluid — as the groups within Al-Qaeda zone in Idlib are not all in agreement on how to proceed.
Wait a minute — when did Al-Zinki cross over to Turkish side? The group was an integral part of Nysra, then HTS. Time to research this -/?when did this group switch side? They are particularly nasty, so I tried to track them. Lioks like I missed their conversion.
Yep, joined with 11 others to be supported by Turkey, but stayed within the demilitaruzed zone. For years integral part of Al-Qaeda in Aleppo then Idlib. Switched presumably in August to Turkish suppirted rebels.
Something foes not add up here. Looks more like old allies setting up a breakout of HTS from its Idlib confines. If A-Zinki is accomplice, that might explain how could HTS take anythjng — never mind a town.
Trusting Al-Zinki? Looks like up to their old tricks, as probably somebody paid them more.
Scum on scum tango.