US Embassy in Damascus calls on HTS to withdraw from northern Aleppo
The US, an occupation force in Syria, is "alarmed" by the recent incursions of HTS into northern Aleppo.
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HTS leader Abu Mohammad Al-Jolani
The US Embassy in Damascus has expressed its concern about the expansion of Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), formerly known as Al-Nusra Front, at the expense of the Third Corps, north of Aleppo.
In a tweet, the US Embassy said it was "alarmed by the recent incursion of HTS, a designated terrorist organization, into northern Aleppo. HTS forces should be withdrawn from the area immediately."
We are alarmed by the recent incursion of HTS, a designated terrorist organization, into northern Aleppo. HTS forces should be withdrawn from the area immediately.
— U.S. Embassy Syria (@USEmbassySyria) October 18, 2022
In a separate tweet, the embassy claimed that "the U.S. is deeply concerned about recent violence in northwest Syria. All parties should protect civilian lives and property."
The U.S. is deeply concerned about recent violence in northwest Syria. All parties should protect civilian lives and property.
— U.S. Embassy Syria (@USEmbassySyria) October 18, 2022
تشعر الولايات المتحدة بقلق عميق إزاء أعمال العنف الأخيرة في شمال غرب سوريا. على جميع الأطراف حماية أرواح المدنيين وممتلكاتهم.
On Monday, the Turkish-backed Third Corps of the so-called Syrian National Army (SNA) armed groups announced the collapse of the ceasefire agreement signed with HTS.
The Corps reported that it had engaged in violent clashes with the HTS militants on the Kafr Janneh front in the area separating the "Olive Branch" and the "Euphrates Shield" areas in northern Aleppo.
The strategic village of Kafr Janneh came under heavy bombardment by the HTS militants seeking to advance and take control of the area. The latter announced its control over the villages of Mash'ala and Duha near Kafr Janneh in the northeastern countryside of Afrin.
On Sunday, Al Mayadeen correspondent in Syria reported that Russian aircraft raided the outskirts of the town of Kfar Janneh in the countryside of Afrin District in Aleppo, as well as the village of Qatma on the outskirts of Azaz, which is also under SNA's control.
The Third Corps withdrew the text detailing its deal with HTS from its social media platforms, signaling a failure between the two in committing to the 10-article agreement to cease confrontations and end the dispute between them.
Al Mayadeen correspondent said Friday that a meeting between officials from HTS and officials from the Third Corps forces failed to reach a truce in the north of Aleppo, northern Syria.
"HTS demanded that the armed factions lift their hands of prisons, service institutions, and local administrations," our correspondent added.
Al Mayadeen correspondent has also noted that "the HTS insists on the withdrawal of armed factions from cities and villages and their concentration of forces on battle fronts instead," adding that "the group aims to implement a project that leads to the complete unification of militant-controlled areas from Idlib to Jarablus [a city in northern Syria]."
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