Syria rebels lose key ally with collapse of Islamist faction

Syria’s opposition loses one of its most powerful factions with the collapse of Islamist heavyweight Ahrar al-Sham, which once walked a fine line between jihadists and more mainstream rebels.

The group has been decimated by deadly fighting, with a former Al-Qaeda affiliate emerging the winner in the only Syrian province entirely beyond regime control.

Clashes between the former allies broke out in mid-July when Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) attacked Ahrar positions across the northwestern province of Idlib.

By the time a ceasefire deal was reached and the guns fell silent, Ahrar had been devastated.

The group was expelled from Idlib city, the lucrative Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey and surrounding territory near the frontier including checkpoints and key roads.

Without revenues from commercial products taxed at Bab al-Hawa, Ahrar’s financial resources will likely be slashed.

Its legitimacy as a governing force may also take a hit with HTS’s takeover of institutions like religious courts.

— AFP