On July 14, a commander of ISIS cells in the northern governorate of Idlib named “Saad” committed suicide in his house in the town of Sarmim after he was cornered by a unit of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham security forces, according to the HTS-linked news network Iba’a.
The body of and personal weapon of “Saad”, Click to see full-size image
According to a reporter of Iab’a, Saaad was the deputy of ISIS commander “Abu al-Bar’a al-Sahili” who was captured and beheaded by HTS security forces a day earlier. The two terrorist are responsible for several attacks on HTS fighters and commanders.
Meanwhile, HTS security forces launched a new security operation against ISIS cells in the valley of al-Rug in the western Idlib countryside. Iba’a reported that several members of ISIS were captured during the operation.
In response to HTS’ crackdown on its supporters, ISIS launched an operation codenamed “Abu al-Bar’a al-Sahili” in Idlib. During the first day of the operation, ISIS cells beheaded two fighters of HTS and assassinated “Abu Ahmad al-Sasinaui”, a commander of the Turkish-backed Sultan Murad Division, according to the ISIS-linked news agency Amaq.
Abu Ahmad al-Sasinaui, Click to see full-size image
The recent developments have proved that ISIS’ influence in Idlib is way stronger than what was once thought. The situation in the governroate may take a more dangerous turn soon as HTS and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) appear to be incapable of countering the terrorist the group.
Photos of the HTS security operation in al-Rug:
Click to see full-size image
Click to see full-size image
Click to see full-size image
Click to see full-size image
Click to see full-size image
