- A dramatic shift of control has been underway in Afrin and other areas held by Turkish-backed groups in northwestern Syria since last week, raising questions about Ankara’s calculus in its quest to mend fences with Damascus.
- As of Oct. 13, HTS seized 26 villages and towns, while the Sultan Suleyman Shah Division, advancing from the west, seized 13 villages and the Hamza Division took control of the area northwest of Afrin.
- This time the group did not stop in Afrin and moved toward the border town of Azez.
<span>Is Turkey using HTS to strengthen its hand in Syria?</span>
