Clashes erupted Sept. 29 between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Free Syrian Army (FSA)-affiliated National Liberation Front, backed by Turkey, near the town of Sarmin, east of Idlib province in northwest Syria.

The violence broke out after HTS attempted to expel members of Faylaq al-Sham (Sham Legion), who were present at a military post separating the areas of the Syrian government and the opposition.

An officer of the FSA-affiliated Syrian National Army who is based in Idlib told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, “HTS dispatched military convoys and besieged a military post for Faylaq al-Sham, near the demarcation lines with the Syrian regime, and asked its members to surrender themselves and their weapons. Clashes then erupted between HTS forces and Faylaq al-Sham fighters who refused to leave their posts.”

The officer said HTS’ move came as part of its plan to open a commercial crossing with the government areas to make financial gains. “HTS fears that Faylaq al-Sham would obstruct this plan. It seeks to show that it has a security and military grip over Idlib entirely,” he added.