Tahrir al-Sham working to expand its influence in Syria

The case of the terrorist Sultan Suleiman Shah Division has taken a new turn, after Tahrir al-Sham stepped into the crisis between the division and what is known as the Unified Operations Room (Azm), the second most powerful Syrian faction after Tahrir al-Sham.

The two sides are locking horns against the background of political differences, according to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Syrian television.

Tahrir al-Sham has been trying to get rid of rival factions in Idlib and Aleppo, taking advantage of the crisis between the two parties.

The organization used the divide and rule tactic. It said it would set up a committee called 'Rights Restoration Committee'. The new panel, it said, would study the conflict between Sultan Suleiman Shah Division and Azm to see which party was on the right side and which one was on the wrong side.

Reunion fears

The Revolutionary Movement and the Syrian Liberation Front said they would merge and form a new entity called 'Revolutionaries for Liberation'. The aim of forming the new body, they said, is to support Azm.

This raised concern among the commanders of Tahrir al-Sham, who want to get rid of all rival factions.

This was why Tahrir al-Sham said the new entity violates the law because it is the organization ruling Idlib. Tahrir al-Sham also asked other factions to abide by its rules.

Tahrir al-Sham even considered the new merger an attempt by the two organizations to control northern Syria.

Determination

To destroy Azm, Tahrir al-Sham provided assistance to Sultan Suleiman Shah Division and reinforced its forces through groups affiliated with the organization in the Olive Branch area. It did this to temporarily strengthening the division.

This was viewed as an attempt by Tahrir al-Sham to weaken Azm which tries to unite all armed factions in northern Syria, something loathed by Tahrir al-Sham.

Tahrir al-Sham wishes to control the countryside of Aleppo militarily, but it does not hide its interest and ambitions to expand towards that region due to the economic gains it brings.

The organization also looks at the current chaos in the northern countryside of Aleppo and tries to extend its security and economic influence to Afrin, especially since this expansion will facilitate its expansion in the Olive Branch area.