Rebel-held Idlib where democratic elections recently took place has seen a lot of fighting in the past 48–72 hours hours between the governate’s two biggest groups, Ahrar al-Sham (Ahrar) and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Clashes were reportedly sparked by Ahrar raising the revolution’s flag in Iblin. Here is a blow-by-blow breakdown of what happened so far:

July 19

Hazarin and Kafranbel were handed over to the Free Idlib Army by HTS.

HTS captured ad-Dana and Sarmada from Ahrar in a push to seal off the Bab al-Hawa border crossing.

Ahrar took control of Atareb in the western countryside of Aleppo governate.

Ahrar captured Salqin, Harem, Qalaat al Madiq, and the al-Ghab plain from HTS.

HTS recaptured Salqin with help from Turkestanis.

HTS took control of Saraqib — the site of recent elections — after Ahrar withdrew from the city.

Jihadist cleric Al-Muheiseni issued a statement that the current infighting is haram (prohibited or forbidden in Islamic law) and no fatwas have been issued sanctioning the fighting.

HTS recaptured Harem from Ahrar.

HTS opens fire during protests in Saraqib reportedly killing several:

Audio message from HTS leader Abu Jaber detailing the reasons for the infighting: they refused to merge with us and sold out to foreign interests.

Multiple units from Ahrar defect and join HTS (Fajr al-Islam, Liwa al-Hijra, Saraya al-Faruq).

Ahrar and multiple high ranking HTS officials accept a mediation initiative by independent jurist including Abdul Razaq al-Mahdi.

July 20:

July 21:

July 22:

Clashes in/around Idlib city.

Ahrar fighters in Turmanin (near Dana) join HTS.

Ahrar fighters in al-Rami defect and join HTS.

Ahrar fighters around Darat Izza join HTS; Darat Izza under HTS control.

Rebel brigades Usud al-Islam, Khalid Ibn Walid, and Usud Bani Umayya join HTS in Zardana (north of Taftanaz).

Abu Darda Al Islamiya Brigade defects from Ahrar to HTS.

Protests in al-Atareb, Aleppo governate against HTS’s attempt to take over the town. Town was where U.S.-backed Harakat Hazm was based before Al-Qaeda destroyed them in 2015.

Reports that HTS is kidnapping people who mobilized against it in al-Atareb, Aleppo; Idlib city; al-Bara; and Salqin in Idlib.

July 23 (Updates Ongoing):

Fatah Brigade rejoins Ahrar.

Large explosions in Idlib city, unclear if it was HTS carbombs (VBIEDS) or accidental.

HTS controls Idlib city, Ahrar expelled; HTS establishes checkpoints.

HTS takes over the border villages of Za’iniya and Khirbet al-Joz and the (closed) border crossing in Khirbet al-Joz which is the main smuggling route into Idlib since Turkey closed its borders in 2015.

HTS seizes Ahrar positions in Jisr al-Shughur.

HTS attacking Ahrar positions in Latakia governate.

77 fighters killed in HTS-Ahrar fighting; HTS consolidating control of northern Idlib while Ahrar is consolidating control of southern Idlib, Ghab plains, and western Aleppo.

HTS calls for meetings with military factions and civil society activists.

Protests in Hazano against HTS (referred to as “Jolani’s gangs”).

Turkey reportedly closes Bab al-Hawa border crossing in response to HTS’s aggression.

New treaty between Ahrar and HTS abiding by terms of previous Friday, cessation of hostilities, problems after previous treaty to be resolved within 5 days, all members of Ahrar who joined HTS under duress allowed to return.

Several brigades renew their allegiance to Ahrar in Hama, Idlib, Quenitra, and Daraa governates.

This post will be updated every day so long as clashes continue with new information as the situation unfolds.