-
Military groups leave the "Sham Front" after the dissolution of the "Northern Falcons Brigade
Military groups from the "Sham Front" operating in the Aleppo countryside have departed, shortly after the "Northern Falcons Brigade" announced its separation from "Sham" and its self-dissolution.
On Friday, October 18, "Sajidoon Brigade," "Fifth Brigade," and "Gathering of People of the Land" released statements announcing their integration into the "51st Division" of the "Third Corps," all of which are affiliated with the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army.
The statements shared a common theme, stating that the decisions were made in the interest of the public and to enhance efforts and institutional work within the "National Army." In contrast, the Ministry of Defense in the "Interim Government" (to which the National Army belongs) welcomed the decisions to join the "51st Division."
A source from the "Sham Front" clarified to Enab Baladi that "Sajidoon Brigade" and "Fifth Brigade" were part of "Sham" before leaving it, while the "Gathering of People of the Land" was previously part of the "50th Division."
The source added that the departure of these factions is part of a restructuring within "Sham." The relationship between "Sham" and the "Interim Government" has been tense since September, as "Sham" suspended its work with the "Interim Government" on September 4, which is the executive arm of the National Coalition led by Abdul Rahman Mustafa.
In its statement, "Sham" accused the head of the "Interim Government" of inciting against "revolutionary entities," including the "Eastern Freedom Brigade" and "Sham Front," fabricating political and criminal charges, and tarnishing their image before Turkish politicians for "personal interests." They then called for the "National Coalition of the Forces of the Revolution and Opposition" to hold an emergency meeting to "withdraw confidence from Abdul Rahman Mustafa's government" and refer him to the judiciary.
The steps taken by "Sham" and their demands came after reports of a conflict between Mustafa and representatives of the "Sham Front" during a meeting held in the Turkish city of Gaziantep, called by the Turkish authorities, aimed at "finding solutions to urgent problems," as confirmed by the front officially.
The "Interim Government" stated that a meeting took place between the "Interim Government," "Coalition," "Negotiation Commission," "Tribal and Clan Council," and leaders of the "Syrian National Army," during which the Syrian reality and ways to overcome the challenges it faces were discussed.
However, the "Interim Government" did not mention the presence of Turkish intelligence representatives at the meeting, even though the meeting was called by them to discuss political developments in the region, primarily the opening of the "Abu Zandain" crossing between areas controlled by the regime and the "National Army," according to information obtained by Enab Baladi from an informed source through a mediator.
The "Interim Government" mentioned that among the points discussed at the opposition meeting was the importance of the "Abu Zandain" crossing as a vital humanitarian and economic passage that positively affects the economic and humanitarian situation in the area and its connection to the normalization process between Turkey and the Syrian regime.
The conflict reflected on the ground, particularly after the Ministry of Defense's decision to dissolve the "Northern Falcons Brigade" on September 17, which the faction rejected, opting to merge with "Sham."
Clashes erupted after the "Joint Force" attacked the positions and control areas of "Fuqara" on October 16, prompting "Sham" to support them.
However, the "Northern Falcons Brigade" dissolved itself and abandoned "Sham" about two days after the "Joint Force" attack.
The "Joint Force" includes the "Sultan Suleiman Shah Brigade," known as "Al-Amshat," led by Muhammad al-Jassem (Abu Amsha), and the "Al-Hamza Brigade," commonly referred to as "Al-Hamzat," led by Saif Abu Bakr.
