Unrest in Northern Syria: Roadblocks, clashes, and border closures
3 Min Read
Tensions have surged in northern Syria as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) blocked roads to the Bab al-Hawa crossing, prompting Turkey to deploy military reinforcements to border crossings with Idlib and Aleppo.
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Screengrab from a video depicting one of the armed groups' militants removing a Turkish flag from its pole, June 1, 2024 (Social Media)
In northern Syria, tensions have escalated as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) reportedly blocked roads leading to the Bab al-Hawa crossing, the sole crossing left open by Turkey amid recent developments in Aleppo's countryside.
The Turkish military has responded by deploying significant reinforcements to border crossings with Idlib and Aleppo.
Amid these developments, the Turkish occupation forces dispersed a protest at a checkpoint in Atarib, Aleppo, with reports of injuries.
Opposition sources have also claimed that Turkey has closed the Reyhanli, Bab al-Salameh, and Jarabulus crossings in Aleppo's countryside following incidents where Turkish nationals were reportedly attacked by protesters.
Further incidents include gunfire targeting Turkish armored vehicles in Afrin, clashes between Turkish occupation forces and militants at Bab al-Salameh crossing, and an attack on a Turkish security vehicle in northern Syria. Additionally, the Turkish occupation authorities governor's office in Afrin was reportedly stormed, and there are reports of internet disruptions across northern Syria.
Preliminary information revealed two deaths among the militants, in addition to dozens of injuries in Afrin alone.
تشتد الاحتاجات و تصل للاشتباكات المسلحة بين السوريين والجيش التركي في الشمال السوري.
— Hanzala (@Hanzpal2) July 1, 2024
فيديو من عفرين قبل قليل pic.twitter.com/jrCqCXZy9S
In al-Bab city, Aleppo's countryside, sources reported to Al Mayadeen the harassment of Turkish occupation officials within occupation authorities buildings, following reported assaults on Syrians in Kayseri, Turkey.
Demonstrators in al-Bab reportedly removed Turkish flags from occupation authorities buildings and stormed a Turkish post office in Reyhanli, north of Aleppo, expelling Turkish employees.
Developments in Northern Syria
In a related development, sources told Al Mayadeen that protests and clashes have erupted across various regions in northern Syria, including Bab al-Hawa, Azaz, Bab al-Salameh, Kafr Jannah, and Afrin.
Demonstrations have also been reported in Atarib, located in western rural Aleppo, as per the same sources.
Furthermore, the sources stressed that tensions escalated as Turkish occupation forces responded to attacks on their headquarters and positions using live fire. These clashes have resulted in injuries among militants in Afrin.
The governor of Hatay arrived at Bab al-Salameh by helicopter to assess the situation, as per the sources.
قام أحد عناصر المعارضة السورية بحرق العلم التركي في مدينة إدلب .
— عمر رحمون (@Rahmon83) July 1, 2024
تعليق : هل فقدت تركيا السيطرة على الشمال السوري ؟
أم أن الحديث عن فقد تركيا السيطرة سابق لأوانه ؟
هل تتحرك المعارضة السورية ضد تركيا بتوجيه أمريكي أم أنها تتحرك ذاتياً ؟
هل سيطلب التركي من الروسي احداث معركة خجولة… pic.twitter.com/CgZp9QvSlI
In response to the unrest, the sources affirmed that Turkish occupation forces have cut cellular and internet networks in rural Aleppo, further complicating communication in the affected areas.
In a related context, the Turkish authorities have closed the Reyhanli and Bab al-Salameh border crossings, allowing only Turkish trucks to enter, disrupting the movement of people and goods, the sources added.
عاجل: بدء هجمات ضد محلات السوريين في ريحانلي بهاتاي ردًا على الاحداث في الشمال السوري pic.twitter.com/QnfQqbZG4m
— Salah (@MrSalah05) July 1, 2024
Sources in the city of Bab, rural Aleppo, have also reported that Turkish employees inside occupation administration buildings are facing harassment. This follows attacks on Syrians in Kayseri, Turkey, the previous day amid allegations that a Turkish girl had been harassed by a Syrian refugee.
In short, the situation remains volatile, with ongoing protests and heightened tensions between militant groups and Turkish occupation forces.
Read next: 67 arrested in Turkey after violence against Syrians
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
