Ankara-backed coalition of gangs formed before operation on Idlib

Ankara-backed gangs formed a new coalition in Idlib, targeted by the Syrian regime.

Gang groups in Idlib have formed a new coalition titled the “Fatherland Front” (Al Jabhat Al Wataniya), which includes Ahrar Al Sham and Nureddin Al Zinki, backed directly by Ankara, and four other gang groups.

The gang groups decided to allocate the Al Aqrad mountain and the Cisir Al Shixur, Al Latmana and Rashid regions among themselves in the meeting.

Chief of Jaysh Al Ahrar in the gang coalition Abu Salih Al Tahan posted a statement on twitter and argued that the gang groups came together “as one body”.

This coalition was declared after Russia, Turkey and Iran met in Sochi, Russia on July 30-31.

Al Tahan’s close ties with the Tahrir Al Sham gangs, formerly called Al Nusra, under Al Qaeda are no secret. The Jaysh Al Ahrar gangs had started their activities within Tahrin Al Sham in 2017.

The forming of this gang coalition has coincided with the Damascus regime signalling a possible operaion against Idlib. Bashar Al Assad’s administration had announced that Idlib is their new priority.

The Idlib region shares a border with Turkey and is controlled mostly by Tahrir Al Sham, which has its roots in Al Qaeda. Various armed gang groups have been removed from other regions and sent to Idlib as well.

Syria expert Charles Lister posted an analysis on Twitter and pointed out that Turkey is trying to increase its influence in Idlib.

In a recent interview to Russian press, Bashar Al Assad spoke about the Idlib region and said, “It is now a target, but it is not the only one.” Moscow administration, on the other hand, softened this statement and announced that a large scale operation against Idlib is not currently on the agenda.