Syrian opposition sources have revealed that contacts are taking place between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions in north Syria to hand over the security of some areas to HTS. The rumored deal would involve the Turkish-backed FSA tampering down some of its rhetoric against HTS in exchange for allowing the extremist group to oversee security in certain areas. It's unclear if the FSA would maintain forces in the areas in which the HTS takes control of.

Brig. Gen. Ahmad Rahal, who defected from the Syrian regime, tweeted Feb. 19, “HTS emirs have repeatedly visited the Olive Branch areas to work out their relations with FSA leaders amid reports whereby the FSA has decided to prevent any media attacks against HTS leaders. There are also talks that the security of all liberated areas will be handed over to HTS after the failure of the military, security and judicial leadership there.”

HTS, which the United States classifies as a terrorist organization, controls large areas of Idlib in northwest Syria, while the FSA factions, supported by Turkey, control Afrin, al-Bab, Jarablus and Tell Abyad, among others. These areas held by the FSA are known as the Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch and Peace Spring areas, in reference to past military operations led by Turkey and its FSA allies in north Syria.

FSA sources told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that there are contacts between HTS and some FSA factions in efforts to resolve disputes between the two sides. The FSA and HTS compete over areas of influence in northern Syria, and there have been several armed conflicts between the two in recent years.