Suggestive timing, although presumably this was in the works beforehand: HTS’s Abu al-Fateh al-Farghali issues fatwa permitting (pre-Sochi deal) deployment of Turkish heavy weapons to observation points because didn’t upset Tahrir al-Sham’s overall dominance (al-zhuhour).

Tahrir al-Sham's "al-Zubeir al-Ghazi" warns Idlib demilitarized zone will mean: • Rebel areas ill-defended and vulnerable to attack; • Surrender of military and administrative control; • Loss of key areas that allow rebels to threaten retaliation against loyalist strongholds.

New for Long War Journal: An interview with a member of Harakat Muhajirin Ahl Sunnat Iran (HMSI), an Iranian battalion within Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Together with 🇮🇷: longwarjournal.org/archives/2018/…

From what I see will happen in Idlib is 2 scenarios: 1st is that HTS + allies will fight a long & bloody war vs Turkey. 2nd (& most likely) is that HTS will re-structure into their backed Salvation Gov (which Turkey has officially delt with) as its formal army meaning no war.

al-Qa'ida-aligned Hurras al-Din rejects the Turkish/Russian Idlib agreement, calling it a 2nd Dayton & vows to continue the fight. Importantly: They beseech to scholars/experts to guide them in the matter & leaves the final say in their hands, meaning their stance could change.

Would this be via official AQ/IS channels and/or individuals, or only supporters? Officially (or semi-official), IS has spoken against Azzam, Alwan, Suri etc. Examples of (the very few) Jihadi ideologues that both claim are Awlaki and Nasir al-Fahd.

Quite interesting judgement in #France: foreign fighter acquitted because his only proven affiliation is #AhrarAsSham and that militia can't be considered as a terrorist organization, according to the court.

What was the Russian-Turkish deal over Idleb actually about, and will it work? My latest for The New Humanitarian: irinnews.org/analysis/2018/…

“Truly, we no longer know you,” popular jihadi on Telegram Messenger tells Abu Qatada al-Filastini. Latter is under fire from erstwhile fans for supporting #HTS as it arrests foreigner jihadi critics, latest being a certain Abu Anas al-Masri

Immortal quote from Shukri al-Quwatli on the difficulty of ruling Syria

#Syria HTS release first statement after Sochi deal saying it accept it after "taking time to consultation" but emphasizing that it won't abandon the Jihad choice,won't hand over weapons, thank who supported Syrians and appreciate who saved liberated areas

While the operation room is confirmed, the actual factions involved isn't (besides Hurras al-Din who shared the images from their attack). The official account has yet to publish the formation statement nor the image showing the factions below. More info eldorar.com/node/126915

In sharply worded response to Abu Qatadah al-Filistini essay, Sami al-Oreidi warns against the elasticity of terms like “ghulat” (extremists) and the danger of providing license for things like, oops, HTS’s arrest of Oreidi last year: justpaste.it/samey

Sign of Tandhim Hurras al-Din expanding their activity besides military; driving around Saraqib center in Idlib calling the people to prayer in the mosques, ending with raising their flag in the town center.

NEW - #Japan hostage, Jumpei Yasuda has been released from captivity in #Idlib, I'm told after #Qatar mediation, also involving #HTS.

On the growing divide between prominent Salafi jihadi ideologues Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi and Abu Qatadah al-Filistini (who now insists he's not a Salafi Jihadi), and the differences amongst the non-ISIS jihadis. By Cole Bunzel jihadica.com/abu-qatada-al-…