...al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate, from which sprang the Islamic State...(HTS — formerly al-Nusra
...formally Jabhat an-Nusrah li-Ahli al-Sham (Support Front for the People of the Levant), also known as al-Qaeda in the Levant. They aim to establish a pan-Arab caliphate. Not the same one as the Islamic State, though .. ...
Front).
On October 13, the HTS took control over Afrin following festivities with the Third Legion that was forced to retreat towards the city of Azaz and its countryside.
Since then, Afrin has been under the control of several factions in the security and military arenas, the most notable faction is the security apparatus of the HTS that has been controlling every aspects of the security in the city of Afrin and its countryside. The body is led by Abu Abdullah al-Iraqi and Abu Muhammad al-Abdeli.
Ahrar al-Sham
...a Syria jihadi group made up of Islamists and salafists, not that there's that much difference, formed into a brigade. They make up the main element of the Islamic Front but they don't profess adoration of al-Qaeda and they've been fighting (mainly for survival) against the Islamic State. Their leadership was wiped out at a single blow by a suicide kaboom at a crowded basement meeting in September, 2014...
has military points and offices in the city of Afrin and the villages of Basouta, Jindires and Bulbul with no more than 400 personnel led by Abu Ubayda al-Sheikh.
Afrin has been under the control of
...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire...
and the SNA factions since 2018 following the so-called Olive Branch operation against the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) under the pretext of preserving
The operation caused the displacement of about 300.000 of the original inhabitants of the Kurds of Afrin who have been taking shelter in 40 villages and five camps in Shahba region since then.
Sham Legion, led by Munzur Sarar al-Ikhwenij, is a main faction in the area and mostly supported by the HTS in Deir Balout, Jindires, Mabata, Basouta, Rajo and Kafr Janneh. The faction has military offices, olive refineries, drugs manufacture and coal factories in addition to a security apparatus.
Sultan Murad Division which is led by Fahim Issa and commanded by Nasser al-Nahar and Abu Walid al-Azi, is a main faction within the Third Legion that operates in Rajo, Kafr Janneh, Mabata, Afrin, Katmeh and Sharran.
The group has a security apparatus that is linked directly to the
Sultan Suleiman Shah Division (al-Amshat) led by Muhammad al-Jassem al-Turkmani, who owns the biggest drug manufacture in the area of Sheikh Hadid in the countryside of Afrin, the main bastion of al-Amshat.
In addition, it has offices in Mabata, Afrin city, Sharran, Midan Ikbes, Maydanki and Bulbul. However,
there's more than one way to stuff a chicken...
there are no more than 300 fighters. It belongs to the Second Legion which is affiliated with the HTS.
The main secret supportive faction of the HTS in providing both ammunition and weapon in coordination with Sham Legion is al-Hamza Division, known otherwise as Saif Abu Bakr Division which has nearly 400 turbans in the whole of Afrin.
The division operates in 16 military posts in Raco and its countryside in addition to a security apparatus, ten security and military posts in Bulbul, and a drug manufacture in the village of Burj Abdullah, southwest of Afrin city which is also home to offices of al-Hamza Division. In Jinderis there are two points of the division besides Marata, Katmeh and Mashaleh.
Although they are affiliated with the Third Legion, Faylaq al-Majd (Glory Corps) and Division 51 observed neutrality in the recent struggle against HTS, and preserved their presence in the area of Raco in the northern camp added to military posts on several sections on the border with Turkey besides others in Katmeh and Sharran.
While Faylaq al-Rahman, Liwa al-Montaser, 9th Armoured Division, Suqour al-Sham Brigades and Liwa al-Fajr are all affiliated with the Second Legion which is subject to Fahim Issa, leader of the legion and that of Sultan Murad Division.
It is deployed in areas in Kafr Safra, Basouta, Ain Dara, Kerzayhel, Marata,, Mabata, Maydanki, and Sharran in both security and military offices.
However,
there's more than one way to stuff a chicken...
the most influential force in the region is HTS’ security apparatus. Its turbans wear the uniform of Ahrar al-Sham or of al-Amshat.
Civilian and military polices receive orders from the MIT directly to which it is affiliated solely and upon its instructions it behaves.
Related:
Syrian National Army: 2022-11-20 HTS Arrests 2 Leaders Of Ahrar Al-Sham In Syria’s Idlib
Syrian National Army: 2022-11-15 Turkish Intelligence Arrests 17 People In Syria’s Aleppo Over Istanbul Blast
Syrian National Army: 2022-11-14 Several SNA Factions In Northwest Syria Re-Converge
Syrian National Army: 2022-11-20 HTS Arrests 2 Leaders Of Ahrar Al-Sham In Syria’s Idlib
Syrian National Army: 2022-11-15 Turkish Intelligence Arrests 17 People In Syria’s Aleppo Over Istanbul Blast
Syrian National Army: 2022-11-14 Several SNA Factions In Northwest Syria Re-Converge
Related:
Third Legion: 2022-11-14 Several SNA Factions In Northwest Syria Re-Converge
Third Legion: 2022-11-11 HTS’ al-Golani meets with dismissed leader of SNA faction in Syria’s Idlib
Third Legion: 2022-11-11 Night-time protest erupts against HTS in Syria’s Afrin
Third Legion: 2022-11-14 Several SNA Factions In Northwest Syria Re-Converge
Third Legion: 2022-11-11 HTS’ al-Golani meets with dismissed leader of SNA faction in Syria’s Idlib
Third Legion: 2022-11-11 Night-time protest erupts against HTS in Syria’s Afrin
Related:
Tahrir al-Sham: 2022-12-06 US Raises Concerns Over Boko Haram, ISWAP, Seven Other Terrorist Groups Around Africa
Tahrir al-Sham: 2022-12-01 Syria accuses Turkey of sponsoring ISIS amid new operation
Tahrir al-Sham: 2022-11-20 HTS Arrests 2 Leaders Of Ahrar Al-Sham In Syria’s Idlib
Tahrir al-Sham: 2022-12-06 US Raises Concerns Over Boko Haram, ISWAP, Seven Other Terrorist Groups Around Africa
Tahrir al-Sham: 2022-12-01 Syria accuses Turkey of sponsoring ISIS amid new operation
Tahrir al-Sham: 2022-11-20 HTS Arrests 2 Leaders Of Ahrar Al-Sham In Syria’s Idlib
Related:
Afrin: 2022-12-06 Turkish convoy runs over woman, child in northern Syria: Monitor
Afrin: 2022-12-01 Syria accuses Turkey of sponsoring ISIS amid new operation
Afrin: 2022-11-29 Turkey has committed violations against Syria for 11 years — Syrian parliament
Afrin: 2022-12-06 Turkish convoy runs over woman, child in northern Syria: Monitor
Afrin: 2022-12-01 Syria accuses Turkey of sponsoring ISIS amid new operation
Afrin: 2022-11-29 Turkey has committed violations against Syria for 11 years — Syrian parliament
Related:
Abu Abdullah al-Iraqi: 2020-09-25 LNA Kills ISIS 'Emir' in Southern Libya
Abu Abdullah al-Iraqi: 2005-07-09 The Mother of All Connections
Abu Abdullah al-Iraqi: 2003-12-10 Alphabet scoops...
Abu Abdullah al-Iraqi: 2020-09-25 LNA Kills ISIS 'Emir' in Southern Libya
Abu Abdullah al-Iraqi: 2005-07-09 The Mother of All Connections
Abu Abdullah al-Iraqi: 2003-12-10 Alphabet scoops...
Related:
Ahrar al-Sham: 2022-11-20 HTS Arrests 2 Leaders Of Ahrar Al-Sham In Syria’s Idlib
Ahrar al-Sham: 2022-11-11 HTS’ al-Golani meets with dismissed leader of SNA faction in Syria’s Idlib
Ahrar al-Sham: 2022-10-19 HTS withdraws from Syria’s Afrin, but maintains its presence there by keeping its security forces
Ahrar al-Sham: 2022-11-20 HTS Arrests 2 Leaders Of Ahrar Al-Sham In Syria’s Idlib
Ahrar al-Sham: 2022-11-11 HTS’ al-Golani meets with dismissed leader of SNA faction in Syria’s Idlib
Ahrar al-Sham: 2022-10-19 HTS withdraws from Syria’s Afrin, but maintains its presence there by keeping its security forces
Related:
Shahba: 2022-12-05 Iran says it has executed 4 alleged Mossad agents accused of spying for Israel
Shahba: 2022-12-05 Suicide bombers in women's veils - ISIS claims Pak embassy attack
Shahba: 2022-12-03 Pakistan Embassy in Kabul Attacked, Security Guard Wounded
Shahba: 2022-12-05 Iran says it has executed 4 alleged Mossad agents accused of spying for Israel
Shahba: 2022-12-05 Suicide bombers in women's veils - ISIS claims Pak embassy attack
Shahba: 2022-12-03 Pakistan Embassy in Kabul Attacked, Security Guard Wounded
Related:
Sham Legion: 2022-11-15 Turkish Intelligence Arrests 17 People In Syria’s Aleppo Over Istanbul Blast
Sham Legion: 2022-10-18 Russian forces carry out efficient airstrikes against takfiri terrorists in Syria
Sham Legion: 2022-06-03 Turkish-Backed Opposition Members Attack Journalists North Of Idlib
Sham Legion: 2022-11-15 Turkish Intelligence Arrests 17 People In Syria’s Aleppo Over Istanbul Blast
Sham Legion: 2022-10-18 Russian forces carry out efficient airstrikes against takfiri terrorists in Syria
Sham Legion: 2022-06-03 Turkish-Backed Opposition Members Attack Journalists North Of Idlib
Related:
Sultan Murad Division: 2022-03-23 Deaths, injures caused among opposition factions over smuggling in Ras al-Ain
Sultan Murad Division: 2021-07-03 A prisoner exchange took place between Syrian government forces and Turkish-backed armed factions in the countryside of Aleppo
Sultan Murad Division: 2021-04-20 Turkish forces break up clashes between their armed groups in Syria's Sere Kaniye
Sultan Murad Division: 2022-03-23 Deaths, injures caused among opposition factions over smuggling in Ras al-Ain
Sultan Murad Division: 2021-07-03 A prisoner exchange took place between Syrian government forces and Turkish-backed armed factions in the countryside of Aleppo
Sultan Murad Division: 2021-04-20 Turkish forces break up clashes between their armed groups in Syria's Sere Kaniye
Related:
Sultan Suleiman Shah Division: 2022-11-15 Turkish Intelligence Arrests 17 People In Syria’s Aleppo Over Istanbul Blast
Sultan Suleiman Shah Division: 2022-11-14 Several SNA Factions In Northwest Syria Re-Converge
Sultan Suleiman Shah Division: 2021-10-06 Turkey seeks to merge al-Nusra and National Army in Syria's Idlib
Sultan Suleiman Shah Division: 2022-11-15 Turkish Intelligence Arrests 17 People In Syria’s Aleppo Over Istanbul Blast
Sultan Suleiman Shah Division: 2022-11-14 Several SNA Factions In Northwest Syria Re-Converge
Sultan Suleiman Shah Division: 2021-10-06 Turkey seeks to merge al-Nusra and National Army in Syria's Idlib
Related:
Al-Amshat: 2022-11-14 Several SNA Factions In Northwest Syria Re-Converge
Al-Amshat: 2022-11-11 HTS’ al-Golani meets with dismissed leader of SNA faction in Syria’s Idlib
Al-Amshat: 2022-11-11 Night-time protest erupts against HTS in Syria’s Afrin
Al-Amshat: 2022-11-14 Several SNA Factions In Northwest Syria Re-Converge
Al-Amshat: 2022-11-11 HTS’ al-Golani meets with dismissed leader of SNA faction in Syria’s Idlib
Al-Amshat: 2022-11-11 Night-time protest erupts against HTS in Syria’s Afrin
Related:
Al-Hamza Division: 2022-03-23 Deaths, injures caused among opposition factions over smuggling in Ras al-Ain
Al-Hamza Division: 2022-03-18 Tension breaks out between two Turkish-backed factions in Sere Kaniye
Al-Hamza Division: 2022-02-13 Infighting between Turkish-backed factions leaves casualties, wounded in Afrin
Al-Hamza Division: 2022-03-23 Deaths, injures caused among opposition factions over smuggling in Ras al-Ain
Al-Hamza Division: 2022-03-18 Tension breaks out between two Turkish-backed factions in Sere Kaniye
Al-Hamza Division: 2022-02-13 Infighting between Turkish-backed factions leaves casualties, wounded in Afrin
Related:
Faylaq al-Majd: 2020-10-12 Abu Jaber, a Hamza commander appointed by Turkey to recruit and send militants to Azerbaijan, gravely injured in Jabal Barad by a bomb placed in his car
Faylaq al-Majd: 2020-10-09 Planned SNA deployments to Azerbaijan, from Hamza source in Afrin:
450 from Liwa al-Fatih this week 800 Faylaq al-Majd from Syria on/around the 22nd, and 650 will move from Libya via Turkey
Faylaq al-Majd: 2020-09-29 ''I swear, we'll steal the cloth of the Kaaba.''
Faylaq al-Majd: 2020-10-12 Abu Jaber, a Hamza commander appointed by Turkey to recruit and send militants to Azerbaijan, gravely injured in Jabal Barad by a bomb placed in his car
Faylaq al-Majd: 2020-10-09 Planned SNA deployments to Azerbaijan, from Hamza source in Afrin:
450 from Liwa al-Fatih this week 800 Faylaq al-Majd from Syria on/around the 22nd, and 650 will move from Libya via Turkey
Faylaq al-Majd: 2020-09-29 ''I swear, we'll steal the cloth of the Kaaba.''
Related:
Faylaq al-Rahman: 2018-10-01 Syria rebels deny pulling arms under Turkey-Russia deal
Faylaq al-Rahman: 2018-06-18 Artifacts from Syrian synagogue end up in Israel
Faylaq al-Rahman: 2018-05-15 Deputy commander of large FSA faction kidnapped in southern Idlib
Faylaq al-Rahman: 2018-10-01 Syria rebels deny pulling arms under Turkey-Russia deal
Faylaq al-Rahman: 2018-06-18 Artifacts from Syrian synagogue end up in Israel
Faylaq al-Rahman: 2018-05-15 Deputy commander of large FSA faction kidnapped in southern Idlib