French jihadists clashes with Syrian authorities show Al-Sharaa's struggle for control - analysis
“For three months now, you have besieged us, imposing an embargo and stepping up surveillance. We have committed no act to justify such hostility,” the jihadist group said in a statement on Telegram.
French jihadists engaging with Syrian authorities in Idlib province underscores the ongoing struggle Damascus faces in asserting control and addressing the aftermath of Syria's civil war. The conflict arises from the presence of foreign fighters, primarily drawn to Syria after its outbreak in 2012, who refuse to disarm. These fighters, often linked to extremist groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), struggle to integrate into Syrian security forces.
The camp housing "French jihadists," located near Harem in Idlib, exemplifies this issue, as it was previously under HTS control.
A clash occurred on Wednesday when Syrian security forces confronted armed members of the group at the camp near Harem, resulting in the death of one "French jihadist" and an injury to a civilian. The Syrian provincial internal security command accused the armed group of violating a cease-fire agreement. However, a different account by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) claims gunmen attacked a French commander and his companions on the road between the camp and Harem. The veracity of these claims remains unverified.
The camp is reportedly home to around 100 foreign fighters, along with 25 women, 25 teenagers, and 75 children. Firqat al-Ghuraba, led by Omar Omsen, a Senegalese-origin French jihadist, operates the camp. Omsen is listed by the UN as a sanctions target and designated a terrorist by the United States. The group accuses Syrian authorities of imposing restrictions and conducting surveillance, while also claiming French interference.
Tensions between the camp and Syrian authorities have existed for months, including a previous confrontation in October 2025 over allegations of an 11-year-old girl's kidnapping by fighters linked to Omsen. The Syrian government has struggled to restrict the group's activities, leading to clashes. Additionally, a leader of an al-Qaeda-linked group was killed in a separate airstrike, which the French jihadists attributed to the United States, though this claim lacks independent confirmation.
These incidents highlight the persistent challenge posed by foreign jihadist networks in Syria, complicating Damascus's efforts to rebuild international relations and demonstrate effective control over armed groups within its borders.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
