Idlib Jihadis fight for control of Idlib province

DISCLOSURE: Sourced from Russian government funded media

Jihadist war in Idlib continues: HTS captures senior ISIS commander and uncovers ammo depot 

… from Southfront

Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) announced on March 6 that its security forces has captured a senior ISIS commander during a special operation in the town of Atarib in the western Aleppo countryside.

“Thanks to God we arrested Abu Khattab Kafr-Nabudah, the commander of Atarib security cells, which are loyal to al-Baghdadi’s [ISIS leader] gangs,” a security commander of HTS told the group’s news network Iba’a.

HTS security forces also found an ammo depot of ISIS cells in Atarib. The depot was filled with assault rifles, remote-controlled improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other military equipment.

The operation in Atarib is a part of the ongoing war between HTS and ISIS. Last week, an ISIS suicide bomber blew himself up inside a local restaurant in the city of Idlib killing several foreign HTS fighters. In response to the attack, HTS executed ten ISIS members.

ISIS expanded its activity within the HTS-held territory in northwestern Syria last year. One of the possible reasons is an attempt to make up loses in the eastern part of the country. Despite HTS attempts to contain this threat, ISIS is still operating freely within the Idlib zone.

The ideological similarities between supporters of both groups allow ISIS to keep presence and operate within HTS-held areas.

More on this topic:

• Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham Executes Several ISIS Members Following Deadly Attack In Idlib City (Photos)

Jim W. Dean

Jim W. Dean is VT Editor Emeritus.  He was an active editor on VT from 2010-2022.  He was involved in operations, development, and writing, plus an active schedule of TV and radio interviews.  He now writes and posts periodically for VT.

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