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Al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is reportedly rounding up government supporters in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib.
On May 29, the General Security Agency, the security wing of HTS, carried out an arrest campaign in the region. Dozens of government supporters were arrested from the towns of Salqin, Harem, Darkoush, and Kafr Takharim in northern Idlib as well as from the town of Jisr al-Shughur in western Idlib.
The campaign targeted anyone who voiced his support for the last presidential elections in Syria, which saw incumbent President Bashar al-Assad wining 95.1% of the votes.
According to opposition activists, as many as 300 civilians were arrested by HTS’ General Security Agency. Some of the detainees were reportedly arrested for posting pro-government remarks on social media or for defending the elections in privet conversations.
The detainees will likely face charges such as “supporting the regime” or “spying for the Syrian intelligence,” which are usually punished with death.
For the last few years, HTS has been working to tighten its grip on Greater Idlib by oppressing and intimidating anyone who oppose its rule in Greater Idlib. The terrorist group’s iron fist didn’t spare opposition activists, media workers or even fellow jihadists. Despite this, attempts to whitewash the group by the mainstream media are still ongoing.
