ALEPPO — Tension has grown in recent days between rival currents within Ahrar al-Sham, which is affiliated with the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA), over Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), leading to clashes between fighters supporting HTS and others opposing it in the vicinity of Afrin in the countryside of Aleppo.

Ahmed Ibrahim, a journalist based in Afrin, told Al-Monitor that “clashes have been ongoing since Nov. 10 in the area surrounding the Teranda base [of Ahrar al-Sham] in the west of Afrin between groups affiliated with the Ahrar al-Sham leadership close to HTS and fighters from the faction holed up in the base, after the latter appointed their own leader while isolating Ahrar al-Sham’s leadership.”

Ibrahim added, “Afrin witnessed on Nov. 11 popular protests against HTS’ presence in the city, calling on its fighters to withdraw from the area. HTS is accused of fueling the internal dispute within Ahrar al-Sham while providing military support to some Ahrar al-Sham groups against those it labels as coup stagers.”

He added that “isolating the movement's leadership loyal to HTS was a severe blow to Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who was in control of the movement and was using it for expansionist ambitions.”