Idlib Governorate clashes (June 2020)

On 5 March 2020, a cease-fire was agreed to between Russia and Turkey, ending the battle for the province that began in December 2019. Several Hard-line jihadist groups rejected the ceasefire. On 12 June, several of these groups formed the Be Steadfast Operations Room, to continue violating the cease-fire.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham was engaged in a campaign of arrests of extremist fighters in areas of Idlib province under its control, and saw the new group as a potential threat. HTS began arresting leaders of the new operations room, including Abu Salah Al-Uzbeki, leader of the Ansar al-Din Front, and dissenter Abu Malik al-Tali, leader of the Muqatileen al-Ansar Brigade which defected from HTS. In response, the new group began a retaliatory campaign against HTS.[5][6]

The Guardians of Religion Organization set up several checkpoints in areas west of Idlib city, and refused to dismantle them according to HTS.[7] Tahrir al-Sham accused the Be Steadfast Operations Room of trying to seize control of Idlib.[5]

In response to the arrests of several senior leaders, the Be Steadfast Operations Room deployed fighters to checkpoints in the areas of Armanaz, Arab Said, and Malas. HTS put its fighters throughout the province on high alert.[8][6]

On 23 June, fighting began between the two sides. The Guardians of Religion Organization captured Idlib Central Prison, and the Kansarwah factory, as well as several hosing blocks west of Idlib city.[9] Clashes continued until the end of the day, temporarily halting before resuming the following day.[10]

On 24 June, the two sides brought in vehicles and soldiers to their areas and checkpoints. HTS attacked the Be Steadfast Operations Room's stronghold of Arab Said with tanks and artillery, leading to clashes between the two sides with heavy weapons, while clashes resumed west of Idlib city.[11] Hurras al-Din fighters attacked the Al-Yaqoubiya village checkpoint, and seized control from Tahrir al-Sham. Janudiyah was also seized. Multiple roads between towns witnessing fighters were cut, as civilians fled from Arab Said, which witnessed heavy fighting.[12] Later in the day, the two sides agreed to a cease-fire and urged their fighters to abide by the agreement. 9 fighters from either side were killed, and four civilians were injured in the clashes.[13] However clashes continued around the western outskirts of Idlib as the Guardians of Religion Organization advanced towards the city reportedly capturing ground from HTS.[14]

The next day on 25 June, the cease-fire collapsed, with clashes resuming west of Idlib as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham strengthened its positions with gear, soldiers, and vehicles. Meanwhile, HTS brought in reinforcements for a new assault on Arab Said.[15] On the same day a former rebel fighter in Suqour al-Sham Brigades was injured and died from his injuries during clashes west of Idlib city, when a stray artillery shell landed near his home in the village of Ma'artin.[16] Clashes continued through the day as both HTS and the Be Steadfast Operations Room exchanged shelling west of Idlib around Arab Saeed, during the clashes 5 Guardians of Religion Organizations fighters were killed and 4 HTS fighters were also killed.[17] After intervention from shuria men and elders in the Just ash-Shugur countryside, Hurras al-Din withdrew from the Al-Yaqoubiya checkpoint and headed to areas near the villages of al-Harameh and Zarzour. As heavy fighting continued in Arab Said, HTS managed to recapture the Idlib Central Prison from HaD, and stationed heavy weapons and vehicles at the site. One tracked vehicle was destroyed by HaD during the clashes. The death count rose to 19, with 12 HaD and 9 HTS fighters confirmed dead. [18]

On 26 June, clashes once again resumed after an initial calm. HTS advanced in the Arab Said area, capturing the water purification station and the Armanaz well. Meanwhile, Hurras al-Din released an official statement announcing its willingness to remove the checkpoints under the condition that negotiations be held regarding the prisoners, and a judicial commission take up the issues raised.[19] The two sides reportedly reached a new agreement: Hurras al-Din fighters could stay in Arab Said with their weapons, and anyone who wished to leave would be allowed to. The captured leaders would be tried by a Turkistani court friendly to HaD. The organization pledged to close its HQ in the village and vow not to set up any more checkpoints there.[20] Despite the ceasefire, HTS attacked checkpoints of the Be Steadfast coalition in al-Hamameh village and its surrounding areas, and in the Sarmada border area, while also raiding Headquarters in Sarmada and the Sahel. Hurras al-Din condemned the actions, calling them a "treachery" which may revoke the agreements if they continued. Later, HTS issued a statement under the Fateh al-Mubin operations room, declaring that all factions were to unify after the Fateh Mubin operations room, preventing any other coalitions from being formed and operating in Idlib governorate. HTS effectively cancelled the Be Steadfast Operations Room.[21]

Category:Wars