ALEPPO, Syria — Prominent leaders in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which controls Idlib and its surroundings in northwestern Syria, are seeking to invest their money in various economic sectors in the area. It seems that these efforts, which could amount to money laundering operations, are encouraged by the HTS leadership, which wants to have various sources of support to help it survive and increase its power and influence.
On July 28, dozens of residents of the city of Darat Izza, northwest of Aleppo, protested against HTS and its affiliated Salvation Government, after the latter issued a decision to close the popular market in the city center in order to build a shopping center instead.