Al-Nusra Front (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham)

Al-Nusra Front conducted its first attack on December 23, 2011, detonating two car bombs outside a government security office in Damascus and killing 44.Kareem Fahim, “Syria Blames Al Qaeda After Bombs Kill Dozens in Damascus,” New York Times, December 23, 2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/24/world/middleeast/syria-says-suicide-bombers-attack-in-damascus.html. In the following months the Front drastically increased the frequency and types of attacks carried out against the Assad regime, setting itself apart from other rebel groups with the large number of suicide bombings it conducted. As al-Nusra Front seized and held territory, it began to attack civilians, minorities, and other rebel groups. After Hezbollah’s intervention in Syria on behalf of the Assad regime in mid-2013, al-Nusra Front expanded its operations into Lebanon.“Nusra Front, Syrian rebels attack government forces near Aleppo, gain ground,” Reuters, April 2, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-aleppo-idUSKCN0WZ0O5; “Nusra Front claims Lebanon suicide attack,” Al Jazeera, September 18, 2016, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2015/01/fatal-blast-lebanon-ends-lull-attacks-2015110194313121358.html. While the Front’s attacks in Lebanon largely ended by mid-2015, the group still conducts violent activities in Syria’s southern governorates of Dara’a and Quneitra, in the Eastern Ghouta pocket of Damascus, and in the rebel-held areas of Idlib, Hama, and Aleppo

• December 23, 2011: Two car bombs explode outside government security offices in Damascus, killing at least 44 people. Al-Nusra Front later claims responsibility for the attack.Kareem Fahim, “Syria Blames Al Qaeda After Bombs Kill Dozens in Damascus,” New York Times, December 23, 2011, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/24/world/middleeast/syria-says-suicide-bombers-attack-in-damascus.html;
  Myra MacDonald, “Analysis: Egyptian Crackdown Hands Al Qaeda New Lease on Life,” Reuters, August 19, 2013, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/19/us-egypt-protests-qaeda-analysis-idUSBRE97I0I020130819.
• January 6, 2012: A suicide bomber detonates bus bombs in Damascus, killing 26 people and wounding 63 others. Al-Nusra Front later claims responsibility.Erika Solomon, “Suicide Bomb Kills 26 in Syria: Interior Minister,” Reuters, January 6, 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/06/us-syria-idUSTRE8041A820120106;
  R. Green, “The Global Jihad Movement Versus the Assad Regime,” MEMRI, March 16, 2012, http://www.memri.org/report/en/print6187.htm.
• February 10, 2012: Two car bombs explode in Aleppo, killing 28 people. Al-Nusra Front claims responsibility for the attack on February 27.Neil MacFarquhar, “2 Security Complex Car Bombings Kill Dozens, Syria Says,” New York Times, February 10, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/11/world/middleeast/blasts-in-aleppo-syria-homs-violence-said-to-continue.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0;
  R. Green, “The Global Jihad Movement Versus the Assad Regime,” MEMRI, March 16, 2012, http://www.memri.org/report/en/print6187.htm.
• March 17, 2012: Suicide bombers attack two government facilities in Damascus, killing 27 people and wounding nearly 100.Nick Meo, “Bombings in Damascus Herald Beginnings of a Bloody New Stage of Syrian Insurgency,” Telegraph (London), March 17, 2012, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9150449/Bombings-in-Damascus-herald-beginnings-of-a-bloody-new-stage-of-Syrian-insurgency.html. Al-Nusra Front later claims responsibility.Agence France-Presse,“Islamist Group Claims Syria Bombs ‘to Avenge Sunnis,’” Telegraph (London), March 21, 2012, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9157494/Islamists-claim-Syria-bombs-were-to-avenge-Sunnis.html.
• April 27, 2012: A suicide bomber attacks a mosque in Damascus, killing at least nine people. Al-Nusra Front claims responsibility.Ed Cropley, “Nine Dead in Suicide Bomb Near Damascus Mosque,” Reuters, April 27, 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/27/us-syria-idUSBRE83O0OL20120427;
  Dominic Evans, “Top U.N. Truce Monitor in Syria, Lull in Violence,” Reuters, April 29, 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/29/us-syria-idUSBRE83S09R20120429.
• May 2012: Al-Nusra Front carries out twin bombings in Damascus, killing 55.“Militant Group Claim Damascus Army Command Bombing,” Reuters, September 27, 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/27/us-syria-crisis-militants-idUSBRE88Q12R20120927.
• May 29, 2012: Al-Nusra Front captures and kills 13 Syrian security officials, according to a statement released by the group.“Militant Group Claims Killing of 13 in Syria,” Reuters, June 5, 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/05/us-syria-crisis-militant-claim-idUSBRE8540LB20120605.
• June 24, 2012: Syrian state TV says that security forces arrested a would-be suicide bomber and member of al-Nusra Front who was planning to detonate a bomb in a mosque the following day.Khaled al-Hariri, “Syrian Town Deserted, Burnt after Clashes,” Reuters, June 24, 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/14/us-syria-crisis-idUSBRE85D0IS20120614.
• June 27, 2012: Al-Nusra Front attacks a pro-Syrian government TV building, killing seven.“Militant Group Claims Syrian TV Channel Attack,” Reuters, July 4, 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/04/syria-crisis-militant-claim-idUSL6E8I40FX20120704
• July 19, 2012: Al-Nusra Front kidnaps, and later kills, Syrian state TV presenter Mohammed al-Saeed, according to a series of statements released by the group on August 3.“Militant Group Claims Kidnap, Killing of Syrian TV Presenter,” Reuters, August 5, 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/05/us-syria-crisis-presenter-idUSBRE87404Y20120805.
• August 2012: Al-Nusra Front launches a joint operation with the Sahaba Battalion against a police station in the countryside of Damascus, according to a statement released by the group.Bill Roggio, “Al Nusrah Front claims joint operations, including a suicide assault, with Syrian rebel groups,” Long War Journal, June 29, 2013, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/06/al_nusrah_front_clai_14.php#ixzz3MYf2OCrA.
• September 26, 2012: A suicide bomber detonates a car bomb near a military command center in Damascus, killing 14 people. Al-Nusra Front claims responsibility.“WRAPUP 2-Syria Rebels Say Launch ‘Decisive Battle’ in Aleppo,” Reuters, September 27, 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/27/syria-crisis-idUSL5E8KREHA20120927.
• October 3, 2012: Three suicide bombers detonate car bombs in Aleppo, killing dozens of people. Al-Nusra Front claims responsibility.Nic Robertson and Paul Cruickshank, “Sources: Pro Al Qaeda Group Steps Up Suicide Bombings in Syria,” CNN, October 4, 2012, http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/04/sources-pro-al-qaeda-group-steps-up-suicide-bombings-in-syria/.
• October 9, 2012: Suicide bombers attack a Syrian intelligence complex outside Damascus. Al-Nusra Front claims responsibility.Anne Barnard and Christine Hauser, “Qaeda-Linked Group Claims Responsibility for Syrian Blasts,” New York Times, October 9, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/10/world/middleeast/qaeda-linked-group-says-it-struck-compound-on-edge-of-damascus.html.
• October 12, 2012: Al-Nusra Front captures a Syrian missile base near Aleppo, killing 92 government soldiers.“Syrian Rebels Capture Government Missile Base, Activists Say,” Los Angeles Times, October 12, 2012, http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2012/10/syria-rebels-seize-government-missile-defense-base-activists-say.html;
  “Militant Group Says was Behind Aleppo Air Defense Base Assault,” Reuters, October 20, 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/20/us-syria-crisis-aleppo-idUSBRE89J04720121020.
• November 2012: Over the course of 18 statements on jihadist forums, al-Nusra Front claims responsibility for 45 attacks that reportedly kill dozens, including 60 in a single suicide bombing. Al-Nusra militants clash with Kurds in the border town of Ras al-Ain.Khaled Yacoub Oweis, “Al Qaeda Grows Powerful in Syria as Endgame Nears,” Reuters, December 20, 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/20/us-syria-crisis-qaeda-idUSBRE8BJ06B20121220
• November 1, 2012: Rebels kill 28 soldiers in attacks on three army checkpoints on Syria’s main highway. After storming the checkpoints, soldiers are rounded up and executed, according to video footage of the attack. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) , a pro-opposition monitoring group, claims that al-Nusra Front is responsible for the attacks and executions.Oliver Holmes, “WRAPUP 1-Syrian rebels kill 28 soldiers, several executed,” Reuters, November 1, 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/01/syria-crisis-idUSL5E8M1BWH20121101.
• November 5, 2012: An al-Nusra Front suicide bomber detonates a car bomb in Syria’s Hama province, killing at least 50, according to SOHR.“Suicide bomb kills 50 soldiers, Assad gunmen – Observatory,” Reuters, November 5, 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/05/syria-crisis-carbomb-idUSL5E8M58WV20121105.
• November 29, 2012: Footage of a man shooting 10 unarmed prisoners is uploaded to YouTube. The gunman is heard saying, “God is great. Jabhat al-Nusra,” referring to al-Nusra Front.“UPDATE 1-Syrian Rebel Films Himself Shooting 10 Prisoners,” Reuters, November 30, 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/30/syria-crisis-execution-idUSL5E8MUD5920121130
• December 9, 2012: Al-Nusra Front is among armed groups that clash in Tripoli, Lebanon, leaving four dead.Carol Morello, “Sectarian Fighting Related to Syria’s Civil War Kills 4 in Lebanon,” Washington Post, December 9, 2012, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/syrian-sectarian-fighting-spills-into-lebanon/2012/12/09/5a863b98-4220-11e2-8061-253bccfc7532_story.html.
• December 9, 2012: Al-Nusra Front, leading other rebel groups, violently seizes a government army command center in northern Syria.“Rebels Seize Regiment Command Center in Northern Syria: Activists,” Reuters, December 9, 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/09/us-syria-crisis-base-idUSBRE8B805S20121209;
  Erika Solomon, “U.S. and Russia Still Back Syria Settlement: UN Envoy,” Reuters, December 9, 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/09/us-syria-crisis-idUSBRE8AJ1FK20121209.
• December 12, 2012: Clashes between the Syrian regime and rebel forces, including al-Nusra Front, take place by the Wadi al-Deif military base and the Za’lana checkpoint.“Bombardment and Clashes in Aleppo and Idllib,” Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, December 12, 2012, http://syriahr.com/en/2012/12/bombardment_and_clashes_in_Aleppo_and_Idllib/.
• December 12, 2012: Explosions outside Syria’s interior ministry leave seven people dead and 50 others wounded, including Syria’s interior minister. Al-Nusra Front claims responsibility.“At Least Seven are Killed in Bombings outside Syrian Interior Ministry,” Al Arabiya, December 12, 2012, https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/2012/12/12/At-least-seven-are-killed-in-bombings-outside-Syrian-Interior-Ministry.html;
  “Syrian Interior Minister in Beirut Hospital,” Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, December 20, 2012, http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=3621.
• December 21, 2012: A video published by al-Nusra Front shows dead bodies on a highway in Hama province. The speaker on the video says that 50 men, allegedly fighters for the Assad regime, were killed in an ambush.“WRAPUP 3-Syria to Discuss Brahimi Peace Proposals with Russia,” Reuters, December 26, 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/26/syria-crisis-idUSL5E8NQ3YS20121226.
• December 31, 2012: Al-Nusra Front operatives capture American photographer Matthew Schrier.C. J. Chivers, “American Tells of Odyssey as Prisoner of Syrian Rebels,” New York Times, August 22, 2013, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/23/world/middleeast/american-tells-of-odyssey-as-prisoner-of-syrian-rebels.html?pagewanted=all.
• January 2, 2013: Al-Nusra Front and other rebel groups attack a military airport near Taftanaz, according to pro-opposition monitoring group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.Oliver Holmes, “Syrian Rebels Attack Military Airport in Northwest,” Reuters, January 2, 2013, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/02/syria-crisis-idUSL5E9C21YA20130102.
• January 20, 2013: Al-Nusra Front clashes with pro-government forces near the Wadi al-Deif military base.Khaled Yacoub Oweis and Oliver Holmes, “Syrian Opposition Leaders Fail to Form Government,” Reuters, January 21, 2013, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/02/syria-crisis-idUSL5E9C21YA20130102.
• January 24, 2013: Masked men believed to be affiliated with al-Nusra Front raid the headquarters of two secular civilian organizations in Saraqib.Hania Mourtada and Anne Barnard, “Jihadists and Secular Activists Clash in Syria,” New York Times, January 26, 2013, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/27/world/middleeast/syria-war-developments.html.
• January 24, 2013: A car bomb allegedly planted by al-Nusra Front kills eight members of Syria’s military intelligence.Khaled Yacoub Oweis, “Syrian Troops and Militia Push to Take Sunni Homs Areas,” Reuters, January 25, 2013, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis/syrian-troops-and-militia-push-to-take-sunni-homs-areas-idUSBRE90O0EY20130125.
• January 29, 2013: Sixty-five people are found bound and shot dead in Aleppo by Syrian opposition activists, who blame Assad loyalists for the executions. The government blames al-Nusra Front.Sylvia Westall, “UPDATE 5-Donors Meet Target of $1.5 Bln Aid for Stricken Syrians –UN,” Reuters, January 30, 2013, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/30/syria-crisis-aid-idUSL5N0AZFBU20130130.
• February 2013: Al-Nusra Front claims responsibility for 17 attacks around Damascus in the first half of February, including at least seven bombings.Dominic Evans, “Car Bomb Kills Over 50 Near Damascus Ruling Party Office,” Reuters, February 21, 2013, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/21/us-syria-crisis-blast-idUSBRE91K09W20130221.
• March 7-23, 2013: Al-Nusra Front and other rebel groups battle against Assad’s forces for control of Syria’s 38th division air defense base. The rebels gain control of the base on March 23.Erika Solomon, “Syria Rebels Seize Southern Base, Border Area,” Reuters, March 23, 2013, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/23/us-syria-crisis-idUSBRE92M03K20130323.
• April 12, 2013: Rebel groups, including al-Nusra Front, battle Syrian forces in the city of Qamishli, bordering Iraq.
• April 22, 2013: Two al-Nusra Front suicide bombers detonate car bombs in the countryside of Damascus, and other operatives launch mortar and rocket attacks, according to a statement released by the group.Bill Roggio, “Al Nusrah Front claims joint operations, including a suicide assault, with Syrian rebel groups,” Long War Journal, June 29, 2013, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/06/al_nusrah_front_clai_14.php#ixzz3MYf2OCrA.
• May 16, 2013: A video released on May 16 shows al-Nusra Front militants executing 11 men for allegedly taking part in massacres on behalf of the Assad regime. The video is believed to have been taken some time in 2012, according to SOHR."Video Shows Islamist Rebels Executing 11 Syrian Soldiers,” Reuters, May 16, 2013, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/16/us-syria-crisis-executions-idUSBRE94F0AM20130516.
• June 2013: Al-Nusra Front militants are blamed for wracking the Lebanese coastal city of Sidon in a battle with the Lebanese army.Mitchell Prothero, “Al Qaida-Linked Nusra Front Rebels Blamed for Bloody Fight against Lebanese Army in Sidon,” McClatchy DC, June 25, 2013, https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/world/article24750418.html.
• June 2, 2013: An al-Nusra Front suicide bomber detonates a car bomb near a police station in Damascus, according to SOHR.Dominic Evans, “Syrian Rebels, Hezbollah in Deadly Fight in Lebanon,” Reuters, June 2, 2013, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/02/us-syria-crisis-idUSBRE95105O20130602.
• July 15, 2013: Al-Nusra Front attacks a Kurdish patrol and takes a gunman hostage, according to SOHR. Clashes between al-Nusra Front and Kurdish fighters erupt in Ras al-Ain, near the border with Turkey.Oliver Holmes and Erika Solomon, “Syria Rebels Reinforce Key Suburb in Damascus Battle,” Reuters, July 16, 2013, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/16/us-syria-crisis-idUSBRE96F0EK20130716.
• August 25, 2013: Al-Nusra Front assassinates the governor of Syria’s Hama province in a car bomb attack.“Syria’s al-Nusra Front Claims Assassination of Hama Governor,” Al Arabiya, September 7, 2013, http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/09/07/Syria-s-al-Nusra-Front-claims-assassination-of-Hama-governor.html;
  “Syrian State TV: Hama Province Governor Assassinated in Car Bomb Blast,” Al Arabiya, August 25, 2013, http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/08/25/syria-car-bomb.html.
• September 10, 2013: Al-Nusra Front militants shoot 16 Alawites and six Arab Bedouins after storming a village in central Syria.“Militant Group Claims Killing of 13 in Syria,” Reuters, June 5, 2012, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/12/us-syria-crisis-alawites-idUSBRE98B0F420130912.
• October 17, 2013: Al-Nusra Front executes 10 Syrian government soldiers from the Rashidiyah district, according to SOHR.“UPDATE 1-Jets Bomb Syrian City After Intelligence General Killed,” Reuters, October 18, 2013, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/18/syria-crisis-idUSL6N0I826U20131018.
• November 20, 2013: Four suicide bombers detonate car bombs in northern Damascus. Al-Nusra Front and ISIS take credit for the attacks.“Syria Opposition Forces Launch String of Suicide Attacks,” Al Jazeera America, November 20, 2013, http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2013/11/20/syria-rebels-launchstringofsuicideattacks.html.
• November 26, 2013: Al-Nusra Front executes of two government soldiers and three “collaborators,” according to a statement published by the group’s media branch.“Al-Nusra Front Executes Five Soldiers, ‘Collaborators’ in Syria,” Agence France-Presse, November 26, 2013, http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/17711.
• December 2, 2013: After several days of fighting, al-Nusra Front captures the old city of Maaloula and hold several nuns hostage in a monastery, according to SOHR. Thirteen Greek Orthodox nuns are captured by al-Nusra Front and held until March 2014.“Islamists Take Syrian Christian Town, Monastery: State Media,” Reuters, December 2, 2013, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/02/us-syria-crisis-maloula-idUSBRE9B10LD20131202;
  Marwan Makdesi and Khaled Yacoub Oweis, “Freed Nuns Reach Damascus as Prisoner Exchange Continues,” Reuters, March 10, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/10/syria-crisis-nuns-idUSL6N0M71TK20140310.
• December 6, 2013: Fighting breaks out between al-Nusra Front and ISIS in the rebel-held city of Raqqa.Alexander Dziadosz and Dasha Afanasieva, “Syrian Islamists Seize Western-Backed Rebel Bases: Monitoring Group,” Reuters, December 7, 2013, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/07/us-syria-crisis-fsa-idUSBRE9B607S20131207.
• December 10, 2013: Al-Nusra Front executes six members of the Free Syrian Army rebel group for engaging in violent crimes.“Nusra Front Executes Members of FSA for Raping, Killing Activists,” Daily Star, December 10, 2013, http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Dec-11/240642-nusra-front-executes-members-of-fsa-for-raping-killing-activists.ashx.
• December 11, 2013: Al-Nusra Front and affiliated groups invade Adra Oumaliyah in the Damascus countryside, kidnapping Alawite men, women, and children.Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, “Human rights abuses and international humanitarian law violations in the Syrian Arab Republic, 21 July 2016- 28 February 2017,” U.N. Human Rights Council, March 10, 2017, 17, http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/IICISyria/Pages/IndependentInternationalCommission.aspx.
• December 12-13, 2013: Al-Nusra Front is implicated in an attack that kills at least 15 Syrian civilians from the minority Alawite and Druze sects.“Islamists Kill 15 Alawite and Druze Civilians in Syria –Activists,” Reuters, December 12, 2013, http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/12/12/syria-crisis-adra-idINDEE9BB0AR20131212.
• January 16, 2014: Al-Nusra Front claims responsibility for a car bomb attack in the Lebanese town of Hermel that leaves four people dead and more than 40 others wounded.“Nusra Branch Says Hermel Blast Response to Hezbollah in Syria,” Daily Star (Beirut), January 17, 2014, http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Jan-17/244320-nusra-branch-says-hermel-blast-response-to-hezbollah-in-syria.ashx.
• January 17, 2014: Al-Nusra Front claims responsibility for launching rocket fire into the Lebanese town of Arsal, killing seven people and wounding 15 others.Remi Bleibel, “Rocket Fired from Syria Kills Seven in Lebanese Border Town,” Reuters, January 17, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/17/us-lebanon-syria-rocket-idUSBREA0G0IX20140117
• January 21, 2014: Al-Nusra Front claims responsibility for a suicide bombing in Beirut that leaves at least four people dead and 34 others wounded.“Nusra Front Lebanon Branch Claims Beirut Bombing,” Daily Star, January 21, 2014, http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Jan-21/244798-nusra-front-lebanon-branch-claims-latest-beirut-bombing.ashx.
• January 27, 2014: A Saudi-born al-Nusra Front operative blows himself up at a Syrian army checkpoint in the central Hama province, killing 13 people.“Al Qaeda-Linked Rebels Bomb Syrian Defense Minister's Town,” Reuters, January 28, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/28/us-syria-crisis-qaeda-idUSBREA0R0EB20140128.
• January 30, 2014: Syrian state television claims al-Nusra Front fired on UN workers as they delivered food to people in parts of rebel-held Damascus, where thousands were trapped by a Syrian army siege.“U.N. Delivers Food to Residents of Besieged Damascus Suburb,” Reuters, January 30, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/31/us-syria-crisis-un-idUSBREA0T12U20140131.
• February 1, 2014: An al-Nusra Front suicide bomber detonates a car bomb in eastern Lebanon, killing four people and wounding 18 others.“Deadly Car Bomb Strikes Eastern Lebanon,” Al Jazeera America, February 1, 2014, http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/2/1/deadly-car-bomb-strikeseasternlebanon.html;
  Rakan al-Fakih and Thomas El-Basha, “Suicide Car Bomb Kills at Least Four in Lebanon’s Hermel,” Daily Star, February 1, 2014, http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Feb-01/246080-sound-of-explosion-in-lebanons-hermel-al-manar.ashx.
• February 8, 2014: An al-Nusra Front operative detonates a car bomb at a checkpoint in al-Jalma village, Hama province, killing 20 members of the security forces and the National Defense Force, according to SOHR.“Islamist Fighters Seize Alawite Village in Central Syria,” Reuters, February 9, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/09/us-syria-crisis-hama-idUSBREA180WN20140209.
• February 22, 2014: A suicide bomber detonates a car bomb in Lebanon, killing two Lebanese soldiers and one civilian. Al-Nusra Front claims responsibility for the attack.“Suicide Bomber Kills Three in Lebanon: Security Sources,” Reuters, February 22, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/23/us-lebanon-blast-idUSBREA1L0U620140223.
• March 5, 2014: Al-Nusra Front claims responsibility for firing three rockets in Lebanon, near the border with Syria.“Nusra Front in Lebanon Claims Rocket Attack,” Daily Star, March 5, 2014, http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Mar-05/249354-nusra-front-in-lebanon-claims-rocket-attack.ashx.
• March 5, 2014: U.N. human rights investigators release a report holding al-Nusra Front and other rebel groups responsible for besieging 45,000 people in two Shiite towns in Syria’s Aleppo province.Stephanie Nebehay, “World Powers Responsible for Failing to Stop Syria War Crimes –UN,” Reuters March 5, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/05/syria-crisis-warcrimes-idUSL6N0M13U320140305.
• March 9, 2014: Al-Nusra Front releases 13 nuns held hostage since December 2013 in exchange for 150 female prisoners.“Syrian Rebels Release Group of Nuns from Greek Orthodox Convent Held Captive since December,” Associated Press, March 10, 2014, http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/03/10/syrian-rebels-release-group-nuns-from-greek-orthodox-convent-held-captive-since/.
• March 15, 2014: Al-Nusra Front fights the Syrian army to defend the former’s hold on Yabroud, a city north of Damascus near the border with Lebanon.Stephen Kalin, “Syrian Forces Enter Last Rebel Bastion Near Lebanese Border,” Reuters, March 15, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/15/us-syria-crisis-town-idUSBREA2E06P20140315.
• March 16, 2014: A suicide bomber detonates a car bomb in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, killing two people and injuring 14 others. Al-Nusra Front claims responsibility for the attack.Susanna Capelouto and Hamdi Alkhshali, “Suicide Car Bomb Kills Two in Lebanon,” CNN, March 16, 2014, http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/16/world/meast/lebanon-suicide-car-bomb/.
• March 27, 2014: Al-Nusra Front releases a video showing the group preparing to execute two Saudi fighters.“Video Shows Syria’s al-Nusra Front preparing to execute Saudis,” Al Arabiya, March 27, 2014, http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/03/27/ISIS-kill-two-Saudis.html.
• May 5, 2014: Al-Nusra Front and allied rebel groups gain control of the Syrian village of al-Sabha, killing five civilians. Clashes continue between al-Nusra Front and ISIS in the outskirts of Deir el-Zour.“Bomb in Syria's Idlib Kills 30 Government Fighters: Monitoring Group,” Reuters, May 6, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/06/us-syria-crisis-blast-idUSBREA4505X20140506.
• May 25, 2014: Four suicide bombers attack targets in Syria’s Idlib province, reportedly on behalf of al-Nusra Front. One of the suicide bombers is a U.S. citizen.Mark Hosenball, “U.S. Investigates Reports of American Suicide Bomber in Syria,” Reuters, May 28, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/28/us-syria-usa-bomber-idUSKBN0E824S20140528;
  “State Department Says U.S. Citizen Was Suicide Bomber in Syria,” Reuters, May 30, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/31/us-syria-usa-bomber-idUSKBN0EA2BO20140531.
• Late May 2014: Al-Nusra Front briefly kidnaps and tortures three teenagers in eastern Lebanon over an incident linked to trading cigarettes.“Nusra Front Kills 14-Year-Old Syrian in East Lebanon,” Daily Star, June 5, 2014, http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Jun-05/259007-nusra-front-kills-14-year-old-syrian-in-east-lebanon.ashx.
• June 5, 2014: Al-Nusra Front kills a 14-year-old Syrian boy and throws his body onto the side of the road in east Lebanon, according to security sources.“Nusra Front Kills 14-Year-Old Syrian in East Lebanon,” Daily Star, June 5, 2014, http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Jun-05/259007-nusra-front-kills-14-year-old-syrian-in-east-lebanon.ashx.
• June 20, 2014: Al-Nusra Front claims responsibility for a car bomb attack in Syria’s Hama province that leaves at least 34 people dead and more than 50 others wounded.“Nusra Front Claims Deadly Blast in Syria’s Hama,” Al Arabiya, June 20, 2014, http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/2014/06/20/Nusra-Front-claims-deadly-blast-in-Syria-s-Hama.html.
• August 24, 2014: Al-Nusra Front releases a U.S. hostage kidnapped in 2012.“UPDATE 5-Kidnappers Free American Missing in Syria Since 2012,” Reuters, August 24, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/25/syria-crisis-usa-hostage-idUSL5N0QU12620140825.
• August 27, 2014: Al-Nusra Front takes control of the Quneitra border crossing with Israel from Syrian forces.“Militants Seize Golan Heights Crossing,” Reuters, August 27, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/27/pictures-report-idUSRTR4406T.
• August 28, 2014: Al-Nusra Front kidnaps 45 U.N. peacekeepers from the Syrian side of the Golan Heights.Ben Hubbard, “Affiliate of Al Qaeda Confirms Capture of U.N. Peacekeepers in Syria,” The New York Times, August 31, 2014, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/01/world/middleeast/un-peacekeepers-captured-in-syria.html.
• September 19, 2014: Al-Nusra Front kills one of 10 Lebanese soldiers held captive, according to a Twitter statement by the group.“Syria’s Nusra Front ‘Kills Lebanese Soldier,’” Al Jazeera, September 19, 2014, http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/09/syria-nusra-front-kills-lebanese-soldier-2014919193711483251.html.
• October 5, 2014: Al-Nusra Front attacks Hezbollah bases in Lebanon, killing 10 of its fighters.Mariam Karouny, “Hezbollah Loses 10 Fighters in Sunday Clashes with Nusra: Source,” Reuters, October 6, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/06/us-lebanon-security-idUSKCN0HV12920141006.
• December 5, 2014: Al-Nusra Front kills a captured Lebanese soldier.Laila Bassam, “Syria's Al Qaeda Offshoot Nusra Says It Killed Lebanese Soldier,” Reuters, December 5, 2014, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/05/us-mideast-crisis-syria-idUSKCN0JJ28N20141205.
• January 8-9, 2015: Al-Nusra Front militants fight to capture two Shiite villages in Syria but are repelled.“Syria's al Qaeda attacks besieged Shi'ite villages,” Reuters, January 9, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/09/us-mideast-crisis-villages-idUSKBN0KI0KI20150109.
• January 10, 2015: Al-Nusra Front claims responsibility for a double suicide attack in Tripoli, Lebanon, killing at least seven people and wounding more than 30 others. Lebanon’s interior minister attributes the attack to ISIS.“Syria's al Qaeda wing claims Lebanon attack: Twitter account,” Reuters, January 10, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/10/us-lebanon-attack-claim-idUSKBN0KJ0OL20150110;
  Nazih Siddiq, “Suicide attack at Lebanese cafe kills at least seven,” Reuters, January 11, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/11/us-lebanon-attack-idUSKBN0KJ0ML20150111;
  Tom Perry, “Islamic State carried out Lebanon cafe attack – minister,” Reuters, January 11, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/11/us-lebanon-attack-idUSKBN0KK0KS20150111.
• January 12, 2015: After a raid targeting Islamists in Lebanon’s prisons, al-Nusra Front threatens captive Lebanese soldiers.“Lebanese soldiers after prison raid: Twitter account,” Reuters, January 12, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/12/us-mideast-crisis-lebanon-nusra-idUSKBN0KL0LJ20150112.
• January 18, 2015: Al-Nusra Front claims to have shot down a Syrian army plane, killing 35 people. The cargo plane was carrying food and ammunition.“Al Qaeda says downs Syrian cargo plane, army says fog causes crash,” Reuters, January 18, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/18/mideast-crisis-syria-plane-idUSL6N0UX05G20150118.
• January 29, 2015: Al-Nusra Front attacks a Western-backed Syrian rebel group west of Aleppo.Tom Perry, “Al Qaeda in Syria attacks Western-backed rebels,” Reuters, January 29, 2015, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria/al-qaeda-in-syria-attacks-western-backed-rebels-idUSKBN0L21ZF20150129.
• February 1, 2015: A bomb explodes on a bus carrying Shiite Lebanese pilgrims to shrines in Damascus, killing at least six and wounding 27. Al-Nusra Front claims responsibility for the attack.Anne Barnard and Hwaida Saad, “Explosion Kills at Least 6 on Bus of Lebanese Pilgrims Visiting Shrines in Syria,” New York Times, February 1, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/02/world/middleeast/explosion-kills-at-least-6-on-bus-of-lebanese-pilgrims-visiting-shrines-in-syria.html?_r=0.
• February 28, 2015: Al-Nusra Front kills dozens of U.S.-backed rebels as it captures a military compound in northern Syria.Agence France-Presse, “Dozens dead as Nusra takes US-backed Syria rebel base: activists,” Daily Star (Beirut), February 28, 2015, http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2015/Feb-28/289135-dozens-dead-as-nusra-takes-us-backed-syria-rebel-base-activists.ashx.
• March 12, 2015: Fifty are left dead when al-Nusra Front rebels clash with the Assad regime in Latakia province, northwest Syria.Agence France-Presse, “Clashes between Assad and Nusra forces kill 50,” Al Arabiya, March 12, 2015, http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/09/09/Security-forces-lock-down-Beirut-ahead-of-meeting-protest.html.
• March 27, 2015—March 28, 2015: Al-Nusra Front makes advances in Idlib city in northwest Syria, clashing with regime forces. Dozens of militants and four regime soldiers die as a result of the clash, according to SOHR.Agence France-Presse, “Islamists advance in fierce clashes for Syria's Idlib: monitor,” Daily Mail (London), March 27, 2015, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-3014799/Islamists-advance-fierce-clashes-Syrias-Idlib-monitor.html. By March 28, al-Nusra Front has seized almost all of Idlib city from regime forces.Associated Press, “Islamic fighters led by al-Qaida in Syria seize major city,” Yahoo News, March 28, 2015, http://news.yahoo.com/al-qaida-syria-seizes-large-parts-northern-city-102702400.html.
• April 1, 2015: Al-Nusra Front joins a rebel coalition to seize Nasib crossing, the only functioning border crossing with Jordan, as well as three military posts nearby.Agence France-Presse, “Rebels seize Syria-Jordan border as IS storms Damascus,” Yahoo News, April 1, 2015, http://news.yahoo.com/militants-seize-most-yarmuk-refugee-camp-damascus-001902378.html;
  Associated Press, “Syrian Rebels Capture Border Crossing With Jordan,” Voice of America, April 2, 2015, https://www.voanews.com/world-news/middle-east-dont-use/syrian-rebels-capture-border-crossing-jordan.
• April 24, 2015: Al-Nusra Front and other Islamist groups take control of Jisr al-Shughur, the last major regime-held town in Idlib province.Agence France-Presse, “Qaeda, allies advance on Syrian regime bastion: monitor,” Yahoo News, April 24, 2015, http://news.yahoo.com/qaeda-fighters-advance-regime-northwest-syria-105824749.html.
• May 4, 2015: Al-Nusra Front fighters, including a suicide bomber, launch an attack in Damascus.Associated Press, “Nusra-linked Insurgents, Including Suicide Bomber, Strike Syrian Capital,” Haaretz (Tel Aviv), May 4, 2015, http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/1.654916.
• May 19, 2015: The Army of Conquest coalition, including al-Nusra Front, captures the Assad regime’s largest remaining military base in Idlib province.“Rebels take largest remaining army base in Syria's Idlib: monitor,” i24 News, May 19, 2015, http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/middle-east/71756-150519-rebels-take-largest-remaining-army-base-in-syria-s-idlib-monitor.<
• May 22, 2015: Al-Nusra Front is part of an offensive that seizes a hospital from government forces in Idlib province.“Insurgents in Syria seize hospital from army – monitor,” Reuters UK, May 22, 2015, http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/05/22/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-idUKKBN0O70QK20150522.
• June 2, 2015: Al-Nusra Front announces that it has attacked two Hezbollah outposts in eastern Lebanon, killing several Hezbollah members.“Nusra Front attacks Hezbollah outposts near Arsal,” Daily Star (Beirut), June 2, 2015, http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Jun-02/300248-nusra-front-attacks-hezbollah-outposts-near-arsal.ashx.
• June 10, 2015: Members of al-Nusra Front kill 23 Druze Syrians in the village of Qalb al-Lawzi in the north of Idlib’s province.Anne Barnard, “Syrian Druse Reconsider Alliances After Deadly Attack,” New York Times, June 11, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/12/world/middleeast/nusra-front-druse-syria-attack.html. Three days later and after international outcry, al-Nusra Front releases an official statement acknowledging that its members attacked Druze but saying that they did so “in clear violation of the leadership’s views.”Agence France-Presse, “Al-Qaeda Syria branch tries to reassure Druze after shoot-out,” Yahoo News, June 13, 2015, http://news.yahoo.com/al-qaeda-syria-branch-tries-reassure-druze-shoot-193647656.html.
• July 2, 2015: Al-Nusra Front and other rebel groups, including Ahrar al-Sham launch a major offensive to gain control of the divided city of Aleppo, Syria.Reuters, “Syrian Islamist Insurgents Launch Battle to Seize Government-Held Aleppo,” Newsweek, July 2, 2015, http://www.newsweek.com/syrian-islamist-insurgents-launch-battle-seize-government-held-aleppo-349792.
• July 3, 2015: Al-Nusra Front and Ahrar al-Sham announce the formation of a new coalition—Ansar al-Shariah—as they and other rebel groups fight government forces in Aleppo.Anne Barnard and Maher Samaan, “Aleppo Fighting Flares as Syria Insurgents Attack,” New York Times, July 3, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/04/world/middleeast/aleppo-fighting-flares-up-as-syria-rebels-renew-attacks.html.
• July 10, 2015: After being held captive for a week—allegedly by al-Nusra Front members—a priest in Idlib province, Syria, is released by his captors.Agence France-Presse, “Kidnapped Franciscan priest released in Syria,” Yahoo News, July 10, 2015, http://news.yahoo.com/kidnapped-franciscan-priest-released-syria-195928867.html.
• July 15, 2015: The Army of Conquest coalition—to which al-Nusra Front belongs—announces its offensive against the towns of Fuaa and Kafraya, reportedly the last two Shiite localities held by the regime in Idlib.Agence France-Presse, “Qaeda, allies attack Shiite villages in northwest Syria,” Yahoo News, July 15, 2015, http://news.yahoo.com/qaeda-allies-attack-shiite-villages-northwest-syria-155644254.html.
• July 31, 2015: Al-Nusra Front attacks the U.S.-trained Division 30 (a.k.a. New Syrian Forces) rebel unit, killing five of its fighters, wounding 18, and kidnapping 20.Anne Barnard and Eric Schmitt, “Rivals of ISIS Attack U.S.-Backed Syrian Rebel Group,” New York Times, July 31, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/01/world/middleeast/nusra-front-attacks-us-backed-syrian-rebel-group.html;
  Associated Press, “Syrian Rebel Group Leaves Their HQ After Clash With Al-Qaida,” Associated Press Military Times, August 1, 2015, https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2015/08/01/syrian-rebel-group-leaves-their-hq-after-clash-with-al-qaida/. According to multiple rebel sources who spoke to McClatchy, al-Nusra Front was tipped off by Turkish intelligence.McClatchyitchell Prothero, “Syrian rebels: Turkey tipped al Qaida group to U.S.-trained fighters,” Miami Herald, August 24, 2015, https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article32176596.html.
• August 1, 2015: Al-Nusra Front releases a video of the July 31 attack and kidnapping operation against Division 30 rebels. In the video, one member boasts that al-Nusra Front has “cut of the hands of the West and Americans.”Associated Press, “Syrian Rebel Group Leaves Their HQ After Clash With Al-Qaida,” Military Times, August 1, 2015, https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2015/08/01/syrian-rebel-group-leaves-their-hq-after-clash-with-al-qaida/ Meanwhile, a religious court run by al-Nusra Front executes 10 people in Aleppo, two on charges of adultery and eight on charges of collusion with the Syrian government, according to SOHR.Agence France Presse, “Qaeda-led court executes 10 in Syria's Aleppo: monitor,” Yahoo News, August 1, 2015, http://news.yahoo.com/qaeda-led-court-executes-10-syrias-aleppo-monitor-164224807.html.
• September 9, 2015: Al-Nusra Front seizes the Abu al-Duhur airbase from Assad regime forces, thereby capturing the final regime position in Idlib province.“Syria conflict: Rebels seize key Idlib airbase,” BBC News, September 9, 2015, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34196438.
• October 12, 2015: Al-Nusra Front calls for attacks against Syrian Alawites in retaliation for Russian airstrikes.Suleiman al-Khaldi and Ahmed Tolba, “Nusra Front urges attacks on Syria's Alawites to avenge Russian bombings,” Reuters, October 12, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-nusra-idUSKCN0S625220151013.
• November 16, 2015: Al-Nusra Front claims responsibility for a suicide bombing that it says killed top commanders in the ISIS-affiliated Yarmouk Martyrs Brigades.“Nusra Front says kills Islamic State-linked Syrian rebel leaders,” Reuters, November 16, 2015, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-south-idUSKCN0T517K20151116.
• Late February 2016: Al-Nusra Front rejects a ceasefire and calls for intensified attacks against Bashar al-Assad and his regime.“Nusra Front rejects Syria truce, urges stronger attacks: audio statement,” Reuters, February 26, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-nusra-idUSKCN0VZ1ZZ.
• Early-Mid March 2016: Al-Nusra Front and other Islamist insurgent groups launch at least 100 rockets on a Kurdish residential area of Aleppo, killing at least nine civilians and wounding dozens of others, according to SOHR.“At least 9 dead, dozens injured in attacks against Kurdish quarter in Aleppo,” Reuters, March 6, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/mideast-crisis-syria-aleppo-idUSKCN0W80RU. Al-Nusra Front later attacks government forces and briefly captures the village of al-Ais before government forces retake the village.“Islamist fighters attack Syrian government forces south of Aleppo: Syrian Observatory,” Reuters, March 7, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-aleppo-nusra-idUSKCN0W91Y8. The group later seizes bases and weapons, including anti-tank missiles, from Western-backed rebel groups in northwest Syria.“Syrian rebel commander says Nusra Front seized ‘light weapons and ammunition,’” Reuters, March 14, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-rebels-idUSKCN0WG17D.
• April 1, 2016: Al-Nusra Front carries out three suicide bombings targeting Assad forces near a hillside south of Aleppo.“Nusra Front, Syrian rebels attack government forces near Aleppo, gain ground,” Reuters, April 2, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-aleppo-idUSKCN0WZ0O5.
• April 5, 2016: Al-Nusra Front shoots down a Syrian warplane, capturing the pilot.“Rebels shoot down second Syrian jet in a month,” Reuters, April 5, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-jet-idUSKCN0X214E.
• Early May 2016: Russia highlights increased violence in Aleppo by al-Nusra Front and claims that the group is responsible for thwarting an extended truce.“UPDATE 1-Russia blames Nusra Front for wrecking planned truce in Syria's Aleppo,” Reuters, May 4, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/mideast-crisis-russia-syria-aleppo-idUSL5N1814MD.
• June 2016: Al-Nusra Front continues its offensive against Assad forces, reportedly killing dozens of military and civilian targets in Aleppo. In early June, a Russian ceasefire monitoring agency claims that al-Nusra Front shelled down 40 people in Aleppo using rocket launchers, canons, mortars, and anti-aircraft missiles.“Russia says Al Nusra shelling military, civilian areas in Aleppo,” Reuters, June 10, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-russia-aleppo-idUSKCN0YW0FR.
• Early July 2016: Al-Nusra Front reportedly captures and takes hostage the commander of the Western-backed Jaish al-Tahrir rebel group as well as “scores” of the commander’s aides and fighters, according to reports.“Nusra captures leader, fighters of Western-backed rebels in northern Syria,” Reuters, July 3, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-nusra-idUSKCN0ZJ0F3.
• Mid-July 2016: Al-Nusra Front is blamed for launching two rocket attacks in the southern Syrian town of Baath City, killing civilians.“Hezbollah says Golan explosions caused by Nusra Front rocket fire,” Reuters, July 20, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-israel-hezbollah-idUSKCN10019L.
• January 18, 2017: Al-Nusra Front claims responsibility for a suicide bombing attack in Damascus, killing seven people.“Former Nusra Front says it carried out Damascus bombing,” Reuters, January 18, 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-nusra-idUSKBN1522WI. The following week, the group launches an attack against several Free Syrian Army rebel groups in northwestern Syria.Tom Perry, “Jihadists crush Syria rebel group, in a blow to diplomacy,” Reuters, January 25, 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-group-idUSKBN1591AF.
• February 12, 2017: Al-Nusra Front’s HTS coalition claims responsibility for two suicide bombings in the city of Dara’a.Thomas Joscelyn, “Jihadists and other rebels assault Syrian regime positions in southern city,” Long War Journal, February 1, 2017, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/02/jihadists-and-other-rebels-assault-syrian-regime-positions-in-southern-city.php.
• February 26, 2017: Al-Nusra Front’s HTS coalition claims responsibility for five suicide bombings at the Homs City Military Security Headquarters.“Syria Conflict: Weekly Conflict Summary,” Carter Center, March 3, 2017, https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/conflict_resolution/syria-conflict/weekly-conflict-summary-2017.02.23-03.01.pdf.
• March 11, 2017: Al-Nusra Front’s HTS coalition claims responsibility for two suicide bombings in Damascus, killing at least 74 people. HTS claims it targeted Iraqi militiamen while local activists stated that those killed were Shiite pilgrims.“Syria Situation Report: March 9 - 17, 2017,” Institute for the Study of War, March 17, 2017, http://iswresearch.blogspot.com/2017/03/syria-situation-report-march-9-17-2017.html?m=1.
• March 18 – 23, 2017: HTS claims responsibility for three suicide bombings targeting regime positions in Jobar, Damascus.Ebaa Agency, YouTube video, March 23, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_z8woU_amo; Ebaa Agency, YouTube video, March 24, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S3sBMEPwAM.
• March 21 – 24, 2017: HTS launches an offensive in Northern Hama, carrying out four suicide bombings over the course of the offensive.Thomas Joscelyn, “Analysis: Insurgents launch major offensive against Assad regime in Hama province,” Long War Journal, March 24, 2017, http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2017/03/analysis-insurgents-launch-major-offensive-against-assad-regime-in-hama-province.php.
• June 8, 2017: HTS attacks FSA and Faylaq al Sham units in the town of Maraat al-Numan, killing FSA Colonel Tasyeer al-Samahi.Mat Nasheed, “Militants stifle civil society in Syria's Idlib,” Al-Monitor, July 26, 2017, http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/ru/contents/articles/originals/2017/07/syria-idlib-militants-civil-society.html;
  Charles Lister, Twitter post, June 8, 2017, 11:44 a.m., https://twitter.com/Charles_Lister/status/872887156683018240.
• June 13, 2017: HTS kidnaps two FSA commanders in Idlib, Nidal Haj Ali and Ahmed al-Mousa.“هيئة تحرير الشام تختطف عدداً من قادة إدلب العسكريين,” Akhbar Ala’an, June 14, 2017, http://www.akhbaralaan.net/news/exclusive/2017/6/14/%D9%87%D9%8A%D8%A6%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%AA%D8%B7%D9%81-%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%8B-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%A5%D8%AF%D9%84%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86;
  Charles Lister, Twitter post, June 14, 2017, 12:58pm, https://twitter.com/Charles_Lister/status/875079990043435009
• June 19, 2017: HTS assassinates the commander of the First Brigade of the Golan Regiment, a pro-government militia in Quneitra.“Pro-Assad Militia Commander Killed in Quneitra Suicide Blast,” Syrian Observer, June 21, 2017, http://syrianobserver.com/EN/News/32921.
• June 23, 2017: HTS kills several Hezbollah fighters in raids along the Lebanon-Syria border in late June.“Two Hezbollah fighters dead in militant ambush,” Daily Star (Lebanon), June 23, 2017,  http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2017/Jun-23/410618-two-hezbollah-fighters-dead-in-militant-ambush.ashx;
  Qalaat al-Mudiq, Twitter post, June 23, 2017, 4:33am, https://twitter.com/QalaatAlMudiq/status/878214409973374976.
• June 24, 2017: HTS launches an offensive against al-Baath City, Quneitra.“Syria says Israel strike kills civilians,” Reuters, June 24, 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-israel-idUSKBN19F0O4;
  “Fighting intensifies in Syrian Golan Heights,” Al-Jazeera June 26, 2017, http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/fighting-intensifies-syrian-golan-heights-170626033648183.html.
• July 14, 2017: HTS and Ahrar al-Sham clash near the Idlib city of Tal Touqan.Qalaat al Mudiq, Twitter post, July 14, 2017, 12:57pm, https://twitter.com/QalaatAlMudiq/status/885951443106226176;
  Aleppo 24, Twitter post, July 14, 2017, 10:42 am, https://twitter.com/24Aleppo/status/885917512600346624.
• July 19 – July 23, 2017: HTS and Ahrar al-Sham engage in clashes across Idlib and North Latakia, with HTS ultimately seizing control of all of the border crossings with Turkey. On July 23, the two factions reach an agreement temporarily ending hostilities. While part of the ceasefire allows militias which had been forcibly conscripted into HTS as it captured new territory to defect, HTS is not required to return any of its captured towns.“Exclusive: A written sheet of the new agreement held between Ahrar al-Sham and Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham,” el-Dorar al-Shamia, July 23, 2017, https://www.nedaa-sy.com/en/news/779.
• August 28, 2017: Sayyed Barsha, commander of the rebel group Nour al-Din al-Zenki  is assassinated by unknown agents. Zenki accuses HTS of carrying out the assassination amid ongoing clashes and kidnappings linked to familial disputes within the Barsha clan, whose members are split between HTS and Zenki.“Weekly Conflict Summary August 31-September 06, 2017,” Carter Center, September 6, 2017, https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/conflict_resolution/syria-conflict/weeklyconflictsummaryfinal2017.08.31-09.06.pdf.
• September 6, 2017: HTS Elite Forces and the PMC Malhama Tactical raid regime positions in the Air Force Intelligence complex of Aleppo.“Weekly Conflict Summary August 31-September 06, 2017,” Carter Center, September 6, 2017, https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/conflict_resolution/syria-conflict/weeklyconflictsummaryfinal2017.08.31-09.06.pdf.
• September 19, 2017: HTS units and fighters from the Turkistani Islamic Party launch an attack against regime positions in northern Hama using at least one SVBIED, briefly seizing control of the villages of Ma’an and Tulaysiyah.“Weekly Conflict Summary September 14-20, 2017,” Carter Center, September 20, 2017, https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/conflict_resolution/syria-conflict/weeklyconflictsummary2017.09.14-20.pdf.
• October 2017: On October 9, ISIS fighters backed with heavy armor enter rebel-controlled Hama from regime-controlled Hama sparking clashes with HTS. Over the next two weeks HTS uses artillery, tanks, and SVBIEDs to counter the ISIS offensive, reversing most of ISIS’s gains.“Weekly Conflict Summary October 12-18, 2017,” Carter Center, October 18, 2017, https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/conflict_resolution/syria-conflict/weekly-conflict-summary-2017.10.12-18.pdf. At the same time, the Syrian regime launches a new offensive against HTS in Hama, targeting the villages the group had recently recaptured from ISIS. HTS launches a new counter-offensive against the regime in response, utilizing at least two SVBIEDs.Weekly Conflict Summary October 19-25, 2017,” Carter Center, October 25, 2017, https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/conflict_resolution/syria-conflict/weekly-conflict-summary-2017.10.19-25.pdf; “ Weekly Conflict Summary October 26 – November 1, 2017,” Carter Center, November 1, 2017, https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/conflict_resolution/syria-conflict/weekly-conflict-summary-2017.10.26-11.01.pdf.
• November 2017: On November 7, clashes renew between HTS and Nour al-Din al-Zenki in Idlib along the 12-town border between the two factions.“Weekly Conflict Summary November 2-8, 2017,” Carter Center, November 8, 2017, https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/conflict_resolution/syria-conflict/weekly-conflict-summary-2017.11.02-08.pdf. Fighting continues for a week as multiple armed factions side with Zenki against HTS until a ceasefire takes hold on November 15.“Weekly Conflict Summary November 9-15, 2017,” Carter Center, November 15, 2017, https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/conflict_resolution/syria-conflict/weekly-conflict-summary-2017.11.09-15.pdf. On November 27, HTS launches another counter-offensive against ISIS in north Hama after ISIS reinforcements arrived from Deir Ez Zor through regime territory. On the same day, the regime expands its ongoing offensive against the rebels by seizing two towns from HTS near Khanasir, Aleppo.“Weekly Conflict Summary November 23-29, 2017,” Carter Center, November 29, 2017, https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/conflict_resolution/syria-conflict/weekly-conflict-summary-2017.11.23-29.pdf. These positions are recaptured by HTS in a counter-attack launched on November 29.“Weekly Conflict Summary November 30-December 6, 2017,” Carter Center, December 6, 2017, https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/conflict_resolution/syria-conflict/weekly-conflict-summary-2017.11.30-12.05.pdf.
• December 26, 2017: HTS arrests anti-HTS activist Samer al-Saloum on charges of speaking against the militant group. Saloum is executed by HTS sometime around April 2019.Enab Baladi, “Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham Kills Activist Samer al-Saloum,” Syrian Observer, August 14, 2019, https://syrianobserver.com/EN/news/52303/hayat-tahrir-al-sham-kills-activist-samer-al-saloum.html.
• December 2017:  In Damascus, HTS and Ahrar al-Sham launch “Phase 2” of their offensive against regime forces stationed in the vehicle management base in Harasta. The rebel forces manage to besiege the base for several days, killing seven generals in the fighting.“Conflict Summary December 21, 2017-January 10, 2018,” Carter Center, January 10, 2018, https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/conflict_resolution/syria-conflict/weekly-conflict-summary-2017.12.21-2018.01.10.pdf.
• 2017: Human rights organizations accuse HTS of arresting 183 people in 2017, including political activists and local journalists.Alaa Nassar, “Hijacking of the “freedom revolution”: HTS imprisons activists in northwest Syria (interactive map),” Syria Direct, September 15, 2019, https://syriadirect.org/news/hijacking-of-the-%E2%80%9Cfreedom-revolution%E2%80%9D-hts-imprisons-activists-in-northwest-syria-interactive-map/.
• January 31, 2018: HTS executes two individuals accused of assassinating HTS fighters in Daraat Izza, north Syria.Aleppo 24 News, Twitter post, January 31, 2018, 6:22 a.m.,  https://twitter.com/24Aleppo/status/958661848114630656.
• February 2-3, 2018: Civilians in the rebel-held town of Binnish protest against HTS, tearing down the group’s flag and replacing it with the Free Syrian Army flag after accusing the group of not doing enough to deter regime advances. HTS fighters kill one civilian in the ensuing clashes.“Civilian casualties in airstrike on Idlib countryside and Binnish locals attack Salvation Government ‎Police Station,” Northern Syria Observer, Febraury 2, 2018, https://www.nso-sy.com/Details/899/Civilian-casualties-in-airstrike-on-Idlib-countryside-and-Binnish-locals-attack-Salvation-Government-%E2%80%8EPolice-Station/en; “Syria|Idlib rif|Funeral of the demonstrator killed by HTS in Binnish (video),” Yalla Souriya, February 3, 2018, https://yallasouriya.wordpress.com/2018/02/04/syriaidlib-riffuneral-of-the-demonstrator-killed-by-hts-in-binnish-video/.
• February 3, 2018: HTS shoots down a Russian Su-25 plane over Idlib and kill the pilot after he opens fire on them with his sidearm.Suleiman Al-Khalidi and Polina Devitt, “Syrian rebels down Russian plane, kill pilot,” Reuters, February 3, 2018, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-airplane/syrian-rebels-down-russian-plane-kill-pilot-idUSKBN1FN0IU.
• February 20, 2018: HTS launches wide-scale attacks on Jabhat Tahrir Suriya (JTS), the new rebel group formed two days prior through the merger of Nour al-Din al-Zinki and Ahrar al-Sham. On February 23 HTS seizes two villages in Idlib while losing one village in Aleppo.Tamer Osman, “Syrian Islamist factions join forces against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham,” al-Monitor, February 28, 2018, https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/02/syria-liberation-front-battes-against-hayat-ahrar-al-sham.html.
• March 1, 2018: HTS kills several JTS fighters and takes control of the towns of Maaret Misrin, al-Tawame, Kafer Halab, Miznaz, al-Qanater checkpoint, reef al-Mouhandeen, Telaad, Termanin, Zaradna, Hazre, Deir Hasan, and Kafer Yahmoul in Idlib. The group is accused of releasing recently captured ISIS fighters to fight against JTS.“Hayat Tahrir al-Sham announces control of Maarat Misrin, Northern Idlib, and killing of Syrian Liberation Front fighters,” SMART News Agency, March 1, 2018, https://smartnews-agency.com/en/breakingNews/269930/hayat-tahrir-alsham-announces-control-of-maarat-misrin-northern-idlib.
• March 11, 2018: HTS renews attacks against JTS towns following a 48-hour ceasefire. Several civilians are killed and wounded as HTS shells Basrton, Saadia, and A’jel in west Aleppo.“The Dispute of Tahrir al-Sham and Tahrir Syria to square one,” Nedaa-Sy, March 22, 2018, https://nedaa-sy.com/en/week_issues/28.
• March 22, 2018: HTS renews its attacks on JTS held towns in west Aleppo countryside with heavy weapons, including tanks and artillery, wounding several civilians.“Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham is Massing Troops in West Aleppo amid Renewed Clashes with “Tahrir Syria”,” NSO-Sy, March 22, 2018, https://nso.news/Details/1016/Hayyet-Tahrir-al-Sham-is-Massing-Troops-in-West-Aleppo-amid-Renewed-Clashes-with-“Tahrir-Syria”/en.
• April 1, 2018: HTS temporarily detains the negotiating committee of JTS as its convoys enter Idlib city to negotiated a ceasefire between the two groups.“Tahrir al-Sham holds negotiating delegation representing JTS & Soqour al-Sham,” Nedaa-Syria, April 1, 2018, https://www.nedaa-sy.com/en/news/5216.
• April 6, 2018: HTS and JTS attack each other with heavy weapons in the areas of Ariha and Maarat al-Nu’man, Idlib.Mohammad al-Haj, “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham clashes with Syrian Liberation Front in Northern Syria, and Jayroud committee withdraws from negotiations with Russia,” SMART News Agency, April 6, 2018, https://smartnews-agency.com/en/reports/282744/hayat-tahrir-alsham-clashes-with-syrian-liberation-front-in-northern.
• April 7, 2018: HTS and JTS reach a one-week ceasefire under mediation from Faylaq al-Sham, ending the 49-day bout of infighting.Mais Noor Aldeen, “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Syrian Liberation Front reach ceasefire agreement, Northern Syria,” SMART News Agency, April 7, 2018, https://smartnews-agency.com/en/wires/282882/hayat-tahrir-alsham-and-syrian-liberation-front-reach-ceasefire-agreement.
• April 15, 2018: HTS launches a new wave of attacks against JTS, capturing the strategic towns of Murek and Khan Sheikhoun along with 11 other villages in southern Idlib.“After the death of hundreds of citizens and fighters… Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham continues its new round within the abolition war and takes the control of a crossing connected to the regime’s controlled areas,” Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, April 15, 2018, http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=89536.
• May 29, 2018: HTS kills one and arrests eight men it accuses of being ISIS members in Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib.Obaida al-Nabwani, “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham kills and arrests Islamic State members in Idlib; Kurdish organizations call to expulse Turkish forces from Afrin,” SMART News Agency, May 30, 2018, https://smartnews-agency.com/en/reports/298999/hayat-tahrir-alsham-kills-and-arrests-islamic-state-members-in.
• June 5, 2018: HTS attacks regime forces in Tel Sultan, Idlib, alongside al-Qaeda affiliate Hurras al-Din.“Two days after arresting tens of citizens southeast of Idlib, the Turkistanis, Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham, and Hurras al-Dien attack sites of the regime forces in the area,” Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, June 5, 2018, http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=94362.
• June 24, 2018: HTS arrests Syrian journalist Mohammed Fadl al-Janoudi in northern Latakia.“Syrian militia detains reporter in western Idlib,” Committee to Protect Journalists, July 5, 2018, https://cpj.org/2018/07/syrian-militia-detains-reporter-in-western-idlib.php.
• July 13, 2018: HTS finds and arrests the head of security for ISIS cells in Idlib and beheads him.“After the assassinations of about 230 people, Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham arrests a cell belongs to the Organization in Sahel al-Rouj and behead its Emir immediately,” Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, July 13, 2018, http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=97722.
• July 30, 2018: HTS arrests three people in Idlib accused of being regime spies.“Tahrir al-Sham announces the arrest of a cell of the Syrian regime in Idlib,” Nedaa-Syria, July 30, 2018, https://nedaa-sy.com/en/news/7601.
• August 3, 2018: HTS arrests 17 people in Idlib accused of promoting reconciliation with the Syrian regime or supporting ISIS.“Tahrir al-Sham announces the arrest of a group of people promoting reconciliation in rural Idlib,” Nedaa-Syria, August 3, 2018, https://nedaa-sy.com/en/news/7672.
• August 8, 2018: HTS arrests 30 people accused of promoting reconciliation with the Syrian regime in southern Idlib.“أكثر من 30 فردًا من مروجي “المصالحات” في قبضة الجهاز الأمني لهيئة تحرير الشام,” Ebaa News, August 8, 2018, https://ebaa.news/news/special/2018/08/9554/.
• September 18, 2018: HTS arrests three activists in al-Dana, Idlib. HTS also arrests two ISIS commanders hiding in Idlib. These arrests follow a series of HTS raids on ISIS hideouts that led to the executions of more than 80 ISIS fighters.“Tahrir Al-Sham arrests 3 persons in Al-Dana town north of Idlib,” Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, September 18, 2018, http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=102814; “After executing and killing more than 80 members of its cells…Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham arrests 2 “commanders” of the organization hiding in Idlib,” Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, September 22, 2018, http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=103086.
• September 22, 2018: HTS arrests two activists and a third unknown man in southern Idlib.“Hours after it arrested a lawyer and another citizen…Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham arrests a man from a village in Jabal Al-Zawiya and takes him to one of its prisons in the area,” Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, September 22, 2018, http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=103087.
• October 5, 2018: HTS attacks Nour al-Din al-Zenki’s headquarters in the west Aleppo town of Kaffar Halab and then shoots at civilians protesting their actions, killing three. Officials from Zenki and the National Liberation Front condemn HTS’s actions and withdraw from the town “to prevent further clashes.”“Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham Justifies Attack Launched on ‘Kafar-Halab’ and Targeting Anti-emonstrators,” Nedaa-Syria, October 5, 2018, http://nedaa-sy.com/en/news/8851.
• November 2, 2018: HTS joins the National Liberation Front (NLF) in retaliatory shelling of regime positions around Idlib after regime shelling kills 10 civilians.Qalaat al-Mudiq, Twitter post, November 2, 2018, 1:33 p.m., https://twitter.com/QalaatAlMudiq/status/1058411832799608832.
• November 13, 2018: HTS launches rockets at regime positions in Khan Touman, south Aleppo. HTS also raids the house of an FSA Free Idlib Army fighter in Kafr Bel, seizing his weapons and ammunition. قناة الجسر الفضائية, Twitter post, November 13, 2018, 11:12 a.m., https://twitter.com/jisrtv/status/1062377698675359750; Idlib Plus, Twitter Post, November 13, 2018, 7:50 a.m., https://twitter.com/IdlibPlus/status/1062326950130262017.
• November 22, 2018: HTS arrests several protestors in Saraqib, Idlib, who are angry with the quality of education provided in the city. On the same day, HTS arrests several members of the Idlib City local council and raids their homes.“"تحرير الشام" تعتقل المحتجين على تدخل "الإنقاذ" في شؤون المدارس”, Baladi News, November 22, 2018, https://www.baladi-news.com/ar/news/details/38021/; Orient أورينت, Twitter post, November 22, 2018, 3:18 p.m., https://twitter.com/OrientNews/status/1065701099489898496.
• November 23, 2018: HTS kills journalists Raed Fares and Hamoud Jneed in Kanfrandel, Idlib governorate, the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) later concludes.“Hay’at Tahrir al Sham Was Most Likely Behind the Assassination of Raed Fares and Hamoud Jneed in Kafranbel City,” Syrian Network for Human Rights, November 29, 2018, http://sn4hr.org/blog/2018/11/29/52887/.
• November 24, 2018: HTS security forces fire on protestors in Idlib City with live bullets. There are no fatalities. انتهاكات جبهة النصرة, Twitter post, November 24, 2018, 5:40 a.m., https://twitter.com/JAN_Violations/status/1066280307240943616.
• December 3, 2018: HTS fighters kill a child while storming the Ahrar al-Sham-controlled villages of Jadriyat and Ibn Gharbi in Idlib.Step News Agency, Twitter post, December 3, 2018, 2:43 p.m., https://twitter.com/Step_Agency/status/1069678520656388096.
• December 4, 2018: HTS seizes the village of Zeizoun, west Hama, from Ahrar al-Sham.Radio AlKul, Twitter post, December 4, 2018, 3:53 a.m., https://twitter.com/RadioAlKul/status/1069877408101212160.
• December 14, 2018: HTS attacks and kills a groups of regime soldiers with an anti-tank guided missile in southern Aleppo.Qalaat al-Mudiq, Twitter post, December 14, 2018, 2:29 p.m., https://twitter.com/QalaatAlMudiq/status/1073661160149450753.
• December 22, 2018: HTS fighters kill a child when they fire on a passenger bus in northern Idlib. قناة الجسر الفضائية, Twitter post, December 22, 2018, 4:44 a.m., https://twitter.com/jisrtv/status/1076413117700161537.
• January 1, 2019: HTS seizes most of Daraat Izza and at least three other towns from Nour al-Din al-Zenki as tensions escalate between the two factions. Two civilians are killed by HTS gunfire during the capture of the city.Idlib Plus, Twitter post, January 1, 2019, 2:38 p.m., https://twitter.com/IdlibPlus/status/1080186606630379520.
• January 2, 2019: HTS captures the rest of Daraat Izza and four more towns from al-Zenki in western Aleppo while other members of the NLF engage in clashes with HTS in southern Idlib, capturing one town from HTS.Joško Barić, “Syrian War Daily – 2nd of January 2019,” Syrian War Daily, January 2, 2019, https://syrianwardaily.com/2019/01/02/syrian-war-daily-2nd-of-january-2019/#more-10000.
• January 3, 2019: HTS continues to advance on al-Zenki-held towns in western Aleppo, successfully splitting al-Zenki’s territory in two. Fighting between HTS and NLF factions in Idlib intensifies, especially around the Jabal Zawiyah area.Joško Barić, “Syrian War Daily – 3rd of January 2019,” Syrian War Daily, January 3, 2019, https://syrianwardaily.com/2019/01/03/syrian-war-daily-3rd-of-january-2019/#more-10003.
• January 4, 2019: HTS captures the important Regiment 111 base along with seven major towns in western Aleppo from NLF. Fighting between HTS and NLF continues in southern Idlib and HTS arrests two commanders from the FSA Jaish al-Nasr in Khan Sheikhoun.Joško Barić, “Syrian War Daily – 4th of January 2019,” Syrian War Daily, January 4, 2019, https://syrianwardaily.com/2019/01/04/syrian-war-daily-4th-of-january-2019/#more-10007.
• January 5, 2019: HTS captures the final Nour al-Din al-Zenki stronghold in western Aleppo as the remnants of the group evacuate to Turkish-held Afrin. HTS also besieges the neutral town of Atarib, shelling it intensely, and captures three localities from NLF in southern Idlib.Joško Barić, “Syrian War Daily – 5th of January 2019,” Syrian War Daily, January 5, 2019, https://syrianwardaily.com/2019/01/05/syrian-war-daily-5th-of-january-2019/#more-10010.
• January 6, 2019: HTS captures the town of Atarib, expelling members of the local armed factions to northern Aleppo, and closes three of the border crossings between Idlib and Afrin. HTS now controls all of rebel-held west Aleppo.Josko Baris, “Syrian War Daily – 6th of January 2019,” Syrian War Daily, January 6, 2019, https://syrianwardaily.com/2019/01/06/syrian-war-daily-6th-of-january-2019/#more-10014.
• January 7, 2019: HTS seizes the village of Hazano, Idlib, from local factions and places it under the control of its Salvation Government.Joško Barić, “Syrian War Daily – 7th of January 2019,” Syrian War Daily, January 7, 2019, https://syrianwardaily.com/2019/01/07/syrian-war-daily-7th-of-january-2019/#more-10018.
• January 8, 2019: HTS attacks Ahrar al-Sham in the Sahl al-Ghab area of north Hama and takes control of 16 villages and towns in north Hama and south Idlib.Joško Barić, “Syrian War Daily – 8th of January 2019,” Syrian War Daily, January 8, 2019, https://syrianwardaily.com/2019/01/08/syrian-war-daily-8th-of-january-2019/#more-10020.
• January 9, 2019: Ahrar al-Sham surrenders all of its land in the Sahl al-Ghab to HTS and evacuates its fighters to north Aleppo.Joško Barić, “Syrian War Daily – 9th of January 2019,” Syrian War Daily, January 9, 2019, https://syrianwardaily.com/2019/01/09/syrian-war-daily-9th-of-january-2019/#more-10024; “أحرار الشام” تحل نفسها في ريف حماة باتفاق مع “تحرير الشام”, Enab Baladi, January 9, 2019, https://www.enabbaladi.net/archives/275505#ixzz5cEv8PwF6.
• January 10, 2019: The Free Idlib Police announce their dissolution after HTS raids one of their headquarters in the village of Al-Ghadafa.Joško Barić, “Syrian War Daily – 10th of January 2019,” Syrian War Daily, January 10, 2019, https://syrianwardaily.com/2019/01/10/syrian-war-daily-10th-of-january-2019/#more-10029.
• January 18, 2019: HTS releases a video showing the execution of four men accused of belonging to ISIS.Tore Hamming, Twitter post, January 18, 2019, 8:33 a.m., https://twitter.com/ToreRHamming/status/1086255260522426369.
• March 2, 2019: HTS executes 10 men in Idlib, who are accused of belonging to ISIS.“HTS executes ISIS members in Idlib city,” Orient News, March 2, 2019, https://www.orient-news.net/en/news_show/163326/0/HTS-executes-ISIS-members-in-Idlib-city.
• May 2, 2019: Al-Nusra Front rebels claim that they have mounted several rocket attacks on army positions in northern Hama. One mortar attack in particular at the Breideej army base, injures and kills at least four Russian soldiers who were stationed in their vehicle.“Russia, Syrian army step up attacks on rebel-held northwestern Syria: residents, medics,” Reuters, May 2, 2019, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-idlib/russia-syrian-army-step-up-attacks-on-rebel-held-northwestern-syria-residents-medics-idUSKCN1S80KG.
• May 8, 2019: After hours of shelling and airstrikes, the Syrian army captures the city of Kafr Naboudeh in Hama province after battles with HTS. The day prior, the army also captured the strategic Tal Othman area.“Syrian army captures strategic city in Hama countryside,” Xinhua, May 8, 2019, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-05/08/c_138043560.htm.; “Intense fighting in northwest Syria as army tries to advance,” Reuters, May 7, 2019, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security/intense-fighting-in-northwest-syria-as-army-tries-to-advance-idUSKCN1SD0X1.
• May 13, 2019: HTS, the National Liberation Front, and other rebels mount a counterattack against government forces in Hama. The fighting hits parts of a buffer zone agreed to in September 2018 under a Russian-Turkish deal that spared the region and its 3 million residents from an assault. Over 120 civilians are reportedly killed in the attacks and counterattacks.“Rebels launch counterattack in northwest Syria: statement,” Reuters, May 13, 2019, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-northwest/rebels-launch-counterattack-in-northwest-syria-statement-idUSKCN1SJ218.
• May 21, 2019: HTS opens fire on residential areas in the northern city of Aleppo. At least six civilians were wounded.“Rebel attack injures 6 civilians in Syria's Aleppo amid ongoing military showdown,” Xinhua, May 22, 2019, http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-05/22/c_138078148.htm.
• June 3, 2019: HTS members arrest and beat schoolteacher Yasser al-Deddo in Kafr Owayed after he posted anti-HTS messages on Facebook.Alaa Nassar, “Hijacking of the ‘Freedom Revolution’: HTS Imprisons Activists in Northwest Syria (Interactive Map),” Syria Direct, September 15, 2019, https://syriadirect.org/news/hijacking-of-the-%E2%80%9Cfreedom-revolution%E2%80%9D-hts-imprisons-activists-in-northwest-syria-interactive-map/.
• July 2019: HTS is accused of arresting 11 activists and civil society members in July, forcibly disappearing four of them.Enab Baladi, “Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham Kills Activist Samer al-Saloum,” Syrian Observer, August 14, 2019, https://syrianobserver.com/EN/news/52303/hayat-tahrir-al-sham-kills-activist-samer-al-saloum.html.
• July 21, 2019: HTS arrests Zaman al-Wasl journalist Juma'a Haj Hamdo from his house in Aleppo over his coverage of anti-HTS sentiment. Hamdo is released one week later.“Tahrir al-Sham releases Zaman al-Wasl reporter in Aleppo,” Zaman al-Wasl, July 31, 2019, https://en.zamanalwsl.net/news/article/46059/.
• August 14, 2019: Rebels shoot down a Syrian warplane in Idlib near Khan Sheikhoun, capturing the pilot. The Syrian state news agency SANA claims the warplane had been hit by an anti-aircraft missile fired by militants while on a mission “to destroy the headquarters of al-Nusra Front.”Tom Perry, “Syrian rebels shoot down government warplane in northwest,” Reuters, August 14, 2019, https://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSKCN1V412C.
• August 30, 2019: HTS beats and fires live rounds at protestors in the Atmeh IDP camp as people protest Turkey’s closure of the border and inaction against the Syrian regime’s bombing campaign of Idlib.Ryan O’Farrell, Twitter post, August 30, 2019, 11:00 a.m, https://twitter.com/ryanmofarrell/status/1167451948603322368.
• September 2, 2019: Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla, a journalist who went missing in the Maldives five years ago, was reportedly killed at sea by members of al-Nusra Front. Rilwan was long known to the al-Qaeda-linked group because of his blog posts about its presence in the Maldives and his participation in a 2011 protest calling for freedom of belief in the Maldives.Zaheena Rasheed, “Missing Maldives journalist killed by al-Qaeda affiliate,” Al Jazeera, September 2, 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/09/missing-maldives-journalist-rilwan-killed-al-qaeda-affiliate-190901121511620.html.
• September 3, 2019: Rebels launch two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in Latakia province where Russia’s Khmeimim Air Base is located. Air defenses intercept and down the drone. No casualties, injuries or damages are reported. Though the drones are often crude-looking, the Russian Defense Ministry has previously said that the UAVs used by jihadists are GPS-guided and the bomblets attached to them carry potent explosives. In Idlib, HTS militants shoot and take into custody Otham al-Hassan at a checkpoint. Othman, a local doctor, is released several hours later after the Idlib Doctor’s Union announces it is ceasing all medical treatment in the governorate.“Russian defenses intercept drone attack on Khmeimim Air Base in Syria,” RT, September 3, 2019, https://www.rt.com/news/467904-syria-khmeimim-drone-explosions/; Alaa Nassar, “Hijacking of the “freedom revolution”: HTS imprisons activists in northwest Syria (interactive map),” Syria Direct, September 15, 2019, https://syriadirect.org/news/hijacking-of-the-%E2%80%9Cfreedom-revolution%E2%80%9D-hts-imprisons-activists-in-northwest-syria-interactive-map/.
• November 7, 2019: HTS besieges and bombs the town of Kafr Takharim in Idlib, killing five, after popular demonstrations against the group and the HTS-affiliated Salvation Government earlier this month. Protesters take to the streets in other Idlib towns to show solidarity with those in Kafr Takharim.“Five Killed as HTS Bombs Syrian Town which Protested against Its Rule,” New Arab, November 7, 2019, https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2019/11/7/hts-bombs-syrian-town-following-protests-against-its-rule.
• November 17, 2019: Unidentified gunmen shoot to death Amir al-Shaiti, a judge at an HTS prison.“Gunmen Assassinate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Official in Syria’s Idlib,” New Arab, November 17, 2019, https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2019/11/17/gunmen-assassinate-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-official-in-syrias-idlib.
• February 1, 2020: HTS carries out suicide car bombings targeting pro-Assad forces in Aleppo.Khalil Ashrawi and Tom Perry, “Jihadist Car Bomb Attacks Target Syrian Pro-Government Forces in Aleppo,” Reuters, February 1, 2020, https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-syria-security/syrian-rebels-launch-attack-near-aleppo-rebel-sources-monitor-idUKKBN1ZV3HV.