The Syrian group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra, announced on Thursday that it had suspended one of its leading commanders, Abu Maria Al-Qahtani, over alleged improper use of external communications.
The announcement came amid reports saying the group has launched an arrest campaign against members suspected of dealing with the US-led international coalition, Russia or the Syrian regime.
An HTS statement on Thursday only confirmed that it suspended the duties of Abu Maria, whose real name is Muyassar ibn Ali al-Juburi, after “his name was mentioned in investigations” it recently conducted.
It stated that a special committee assigned by the HTS General Command, which is active in northwestern Syria, questioned Abu Maria and found that the man committed a mistake when “engaging in uncalculated communications, disregarding his sensitive position and without permission."
Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said HTS commanders leaked information about communications between Abu Maria and members working for the international coalition, who were later arrested and held in Bab Al-Hawa prison.
It added that HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani had earlier warned the group’s security and military commanders from circulating any information about Abu Maria's case or leaking any details to media outlets or any other bodies, under penalty.
SOHR said disagreements erupted between al-Julani and a group of HTS top commanders, before the two sides took the decision of suspending the duties of Abu Maria in their controlled areas.
Abu Maria is a member of HTS’ Shura Council and one of the first-line leaders in the group.
The US had classified Tahrir al-Sham as a terrorist faction, bearing in mind that under its former name, Jabhat al-Nusra, it was a branch of al-Qaeda in Syria.
