Who is killing Syrian opposition figures in Aleppo, Idlib?
The armed opposition in Aleppo and Idlib has been facing a series of assassinations and assassination attempts, as some leaders accuse the regime and IS of being behind them.
ALEPPO, Syria — Areas under the control of armed opposition factions in northern Syria have devolved into a state of lawlessness leading to militant cells — perhaps affiliated with the regime or the Islamic State (IS) — attempting to assassinate prominent military and media personalities in an unprecedented manner. In June, a number of assassination attempts targeted military leaders from various armed factions operating in the northern Syrian cities of Aleppo and Idlib; there also were attempts to assassinate independent journalists in Aleppo with explosive devices or guns.
Between June 15 and June 22, numerous assassination attempts perpetrated by unknown persons took place against military leaders and press figures. On June 15, an explosive device targeted and killed Abu Ali Muhajireen, a Jabhat al-Nusra commander in the city of Idlib. In addition, unknown assailants shot at — but failed to kill — the commander of the Handarat military command in Aleppo’s northern countryside, Mayof Almayof, upon his return to the city of Aleppo at dawn June 15.
