Political, military wings of Islamist movement clash in Idlib
Ahrar al-Sham, which was once one of the largest factions of the Syrian armed opposition in Idlib, has formed a new leadership council that is being perceived as a coup against the movement’s political leaders, who fear the group's integration into Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
IDLIB, Syria — Ahrar al-Sham, which is affiliated with the National Front for Liberation in Idlib (itself affiliated with the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army), has formed a new leadership council after major differences emerged within its ranks.
Top commander Amer al-Sheikh (also known as Abu Ubaidah Daraa), announced the formation of a new leadership body.
Ahrar al-Sham experienced an internal rebellion in October 2020, followed by what some considered a coup attempt led by the movement’s military wing headed by Capt. Anad Darwish (Abu al-Mundhir) and former leader Hassan Soufan against the Shura Council led by commander Jaber Ali Pasha.
Intensive meetings were held to resolve the dispute, but Soufan and Abu al-Mundhir insisted the Shura Council (which represents the movement’s political wing) and the leadership be dissolved. In January the two parties to the conflict agreed on appointing Sheikh to succeed Ali Pasha.
