Developments in North-western Syria

Highlights

• From 19 – 25 July, infighting among non-state armed groups (NSAGs) disrupted the provision of humanitarian services in northwestern Syria.
• The Bab Al-Hawa border crossing effectively was closed between 19 – 25 July, after the Turkish border became inaccessible from the Syrian side, resulting in the stoppage of humanitarian aid and commercial cargo from Turkey to Syria.
• Several humanitarian organizations suspended operations for several days since 19 July. Most have resumed activities since then.
• As of 26 July, the situation in north-western Syria has seemingly calmed down; although dynamics on the ground may present further difficulties to a humanitarian response.
• Limited population displacement occurred, although civilians were killed and injured in crossfire.

Situation Overview

During the morning hours of 19 July, intense clashes between Ahrar Al-Sham and Hayyat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) erupted in multiple locations in Idleb governorate. While hostilities occurred in several communities throughout the governorate, the heaviest armed clashes were concentrated along the Syrian-Turkish border, where a large concentration of IDP camps are present.

Immediately after the clashes started, the warring parties erected road blocks and sand barriers on many of the governorate’s main routes, halting most civilian and commercial movement. As such, the Bab Al-Hawa border crossing, which is the main crossing point for humanitarian supplies into the area, became inaccessible from the Syrian side. Coincidently, the Turkish authorities had planned to close the crossing to commercial and civilian traffic for maintenance work from 19 – 21 July, but keeping a lane open for humanitarian shipments. However, with the crossing becoming inaccessible on the Syrian side, no trucks were able to cross into Turkey to pick-up humanitarian aid.

The fighting stopped temporarily in the evening hours of 19 July after an initiative by prominent figures in northwestern Syria was launched to end the fighting. On 20 July, fighting resumed in many locations, particularly in the area around the Bab Al-Hawa border crossing. Conflict near IDP camps located around Qah and Atma towns reportedly caused panic, with unconfirmed reports indicating that IDPs were wounded by stray bullets. The following day, the fighting around the crossing caused a fire at an old factory that several NGOs use for storage of humanitarian aid, causing significant material losses. By mid-day, Ahrar Al-Sham issued a statement announcing that an agreement was reached between them and HTS, whereby the control of the crossing is to be handed over to a civilian administration.

In addition to the events that took place at the Bab Al-Hawa border crossing, most of the border areas between Syria and Turkey in north-western Syria is now controlled by HTS. Additionally, HTS is reportedly in control of Daret Azza town in the western countryside of Aleppo governorate, a town located on the trade route from Afrin to the western countryside of Aleppo governorate. In some of the towns that witnessed infighting among NSAGs, worrying reports of assault on civilians emerged. In Saraqab town, a media activist was reportedly shot during an anti-HTS demonstration. Furthermore, a media activist in Salqin town was arrested by the group for unknown reasons, only to be released few days later. On 23 July, HTS also established full control over Idleb city after the withdrawal of the remaining Ahrar Al-Sham fighters. Around the same time, a VBIED explosion took place in Al-Zira’a neighbourhood in the city, reportedly resulting in the killing of 17 people and the wounding of 65. In some locations, armed factions agreed to join HTS, resulting in the change of influence in the area. In the aftermath of the explosion, HTS publicly executed two persons who were accused of being behind the attack.