Tensions have escalated in northwestern Syria as two officials from Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) group were detained by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)-led administration operating in Idlib. Their arrest comes just days after United States imposed a new ban against several Palestinian groups including PIJ for undermining regional security.
Sources in Idlib have reported that two men believed to be mid-level political coordinators were arrested during a nighttime raid conducted by HTS security forces. Their identities have yet to be officially released; however, local media and activists report they were associated with Palestinian refugee networks operating in the region.
HTS, a hardline Islamist faction formerly affiliated with al-Qaeda, now rules most of the rebel-held northwest through its “Salvation Government.” While HTS claims it has distanced itself from global jihadist networks, its authoritarian governance model remains highly authoritarian and frequently cracks down on rival groups and dissidents.
These arrests follow closely on the heels of a U.S. State Department announcement labeling certain Palestinian resistance factions, such as PIJ, as “destabilizing forces” in the Middle East and permitting its government to freeze assets or impose legal penalties against anyone providing material support to these listed groups.
Analysts suspect HTS may have acted under indirect pressure, trying to present itself as more moderate and pragmatic so as to gain international legitimacy.
“HTS appears to be taking steps to distance itself from groups currently facing global scrutiny,” according to Kamal Alam, a regional security analyst. By arresting Islamic Jihad members, HTS indicates its willingness to work alongside counterterrorism efforts–at least when it serves their own agenda.”
Detentions have drawn considerable criticism from Palestinian factions, with Islamic Jihad accusing HTS of betraying their cause and calling upon HTS to immediately release their affiliates. A statement issued from outside Syria denounced these arrests as “cowardly and politically motivated”, calling upon them to release all associated affiliates as soon as possible.
As humanitarian concerns remain high in Idlib, where millions of civilians already face displacement, poverty and an absence of essential services – not to mention factional power struggles which further complicate aid delivery and governance efforts – humanitarian concerns continue to loom large.
As the region prepares for potential fallout, questions abound regarding how new U.S. sanctions and HTS’ internal security maneuvers might alter Syria’s final opposition-held stronghold.