The official logo of HTS’ so-called “Military Collage”.
Al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the de-facto ruler of the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib, has established a “Military Collage”.
The Military Collage was established upon a decree issued by the terrorist group’s so-called Salvation Government on March 17. However, the existence of the collage was revealed on December 10, when it was visited by the head of the Salvation Government Ali Kaddah.
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On December 12, HTS shared photos from one of the first classes held at the collage. Many of the students were senior military commanders of the terrorist group.
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HTS reportedly wants to use the Military Collage as a core for a future “Defense Ministry” in the Salvation Government. The terrorist group hopes that the collage will help to better educate its currently military commanders, train new young commanders and organize its ranks.
According to Syrian opposition sources, HTS recruited several defected Syrian Arab Army (SAA) officers to teach in the collage, promising them very high salaries.
It’s worth noting that in May HTS established a Military Recruitment Department with branches all over Greater Idlib. The terrorist group’s next step may be to forcible recruit youth in Greater Idlib.
Syria and Russia warned on several occasions in the last few years that HTS is trying to establish a breakaway state in Greater Idlib.
Turkey, whose military is supposedly present in Greater Idlib to enforce a ceasefire and combat terrorist groups, has been doing nothing whatsoever to stop HTS expansion. This may force the SAA and its allies to take military action against the terrorist group very soon.
