Syria Conflict Update
US Strikes Al-Qaeda Operative in Northwestern Syria
The United States military has killed a senior operative of Al-Qaeda’s Syria branch in an air strike on northwestern Syria, according to a statement by the US Central Command (Centcom).
Background
The area where the strike took place is the stronghold of interim president Abu Mohammad al-Golani’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which led a rebel offensive that toppled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December. HTS was previously Al-Qaeda’s Syria affiliate until it broke ties with the extremist network in 2016.
Targeted Strike
The strike was carried out using a precision air strike in northwest Syria, targeting and killing Muhammad Salah al-Zabir, a senior operative in the terrorist organization Hurras al-Din, an Al-Qaeda affiliate. Zabir was traveling in a vehicle on the Sarmada-Idlib road when the vehicle was hit by a US drone strike, according to the British-based war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Dissolution of Hurras al-Din
Hurras al-Din announced its dissolution in line with orders from the interim president, stating that it would not enter into armed conflict with HTS. The Observatory reported that Hurras al-Din had "announced its dissolution so as not to enter into armed conflict with HTS."
US Designation of Hurras al-Din
The US designated Hurras al-Din as a "terrorist" organization in 2019 and has offered financial rewards for information on several of its members. The group was founded in February 2018, and it did not publicly confirm its allegiance to Al-Qaeda until its dissolution announcement on Tuesday.
US Air Strikes
The US carried out successive air strikes targeting the group’s leadership in northwestern Syria in August and September last year.
Sanctions
Washington still blacklists HTS as a "terrorist" group, although it has lifted some of its sanctions against Golani’s group since it toppled Assad last year.
Conclusion
The strike demonstrates the US’s commitment to dismantling terrorist organizations and their networks. The dissolution of Hurras al-Din marks a significant development in the Syrian conflict, as it reduces the influence of Al-Qaeda in the region.
FAQs
- Who is Abu Mohammad al-Golani?
- Golani is the interim president of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and was previously Al-Qaeda’s Syria affiliate until it broke ties with the extremist network in 2016.
- What is Hurras al-Din?
- Hurras al-Din is an Al-Qaeda affiliate that was founded in February 2018. It was designated as a "terrorist" organization by the US in 2019.
- Why did the US strike Hurras al-Din?
- The US carried out the strike to target a senior operative of Al-Qaeda’s Syria branch, reducing the terrorist organization’s capabilities in the region.
- What is the current situation in Syria?
- The Syrian conflict is ongoing, with various factions, including HTS and government forces, engaged in battles for control.