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On August 19, the former branch of al-Qaeda in Syria, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), continued its security operation against civilians and public figures who had expressed their support to the reconciliation process in the northern governorate of Idlib, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR)

The HTS-linked news network Iba’a said that HTS’ security forces had arrested many reconciliation supporters in the towns of Azmarin, Kafir Hind, Harem and Sadiyeh in the northern and northwestern countrysides of Idlib.

Earlier this month, several senior commanders of HTS threatened reconciliation supporters in northern Syria. An Iraqi nationa and a commander of HTS named “Mayser al-Qahtani” even warned that anyone who want to reconcile with the Damascus government will face “the sword.”

According to the SOHR, security forces of HTS and the Turkish-backed National Front for Liberation (NFL) arrested dozens of civilians over the last 17 days after accusing them of “communicating with the regime and working for reconciliation.” Syrian pro-government activists fear that the militants may execute these civilians to demonstrate their influence in northern Syria.

HTS security forces are arresting reconciliation supporters:

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