A suicide bomber killed the co-founder of the Nusra Front in Syria, now known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, in northwestern Syria on Thursday. Conflicting reports emerged about how the attack was carried out, with some activists suggesting it was a remotely detonated bomb rather than a suicide bombing. The bomber entered Abu Maria al-Qahtani’s guesthouse in Sarmada, Idlib province, and detonated his explosives. Al-Qahtani’s death comes amid protests against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, over their harsh rule in the region and deteriorating economic conditions.
Northwestern Syria is the last rebel-held territory in the country, with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham controlling Idlib province and Turkey-backed opposition groups in northern Aleppo province. The area is heavily reliant on humanitarian aid, with most of the 4.5 million residents in Idlib and Aleppo depending on it for survival, and nearly half living in displacement camps. Al-Qahtani’s killing has further fueled public sentiment against al-Golani and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which has been cracking down on senior members and suppressing protests.
Al-Qahtani, an Iraqi citizen, was a longtime al-Qaida member who fought against U.S. forces in Iraq after the 2003 invasion. He moved to Syria in 2011, along with other al-Qaida figures, following the start of the country’s deadly conflict. He was released from jail in March after being detained for misuse of social media and communicating with hostile groups. Al-Qahtani had been dismissed from his senior official duties in the group. After the explosion, he was rushed to Bab al-Hawa Hospital in Idlib but later died from his wounds. Two guests at his house were also wounded, according to the Observatory for Human Rights.
The conflicting accounts of the attack on al-Qahtani could not immediately be reconciled, with some activists disputing that it was a suicide bombing and suggesting it was a remotely detonated bomb instead. Al-Qahtani’s death marks another blow to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its leadership, as public dissatisfaction with the group has been escalating due to its harsh rule in the region and worsening economic conditions. The region’s heavy reliance on humanitarian aid underscores the dire situation faced by residents in Idlib and Aleppo provinces, as most struggle to survive in displacement camps and other vulnerable conditions.
The killing of al-Qahtani underscores the volatility and violence that continue to plague Syria, with no end in sight to the country’s long-running civil war. The conflict, now in its 14th year, has caused immense suffering and displacement for millions of Syrians, with various armed groups vying for control of different territories. The situation in northwestern Syria, where the attack took place, highlights the complex and multi-faceted nature of the conflict as different factions compete for power and influence. The death of al-Qahtani signals further instability and uncertainty in the region, as tensions continue to rise and violence escalates.
