Massive Explosion Rocks HTS Stronghold In Syria’s Greater Idlib (Photos)

On September 11, a massive explosion rocked the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib which is occupied by al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and several other terrorist groups.

The explosion emanated from an ammunition or a fuel depot located in the area of Tell Dweir in the western countryside of Idlib. Tell Dweir and its surroundings are known to be under the control of HTS, more specifically the terrorist group’s Uzbek faction Katibat al Tawhid wal Jihad.

The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the massive explosion resulted in casualties, without elaborating. However, other sources reported that man was killed and another was wounded.

Several photos which were shared by Syrian opposition activists based in Greater Idlib show a large column of dark smoke rising from Tell Dweir.

The area in which the ammunition depot is located was hit by more than 14 Russian airstrikes just three days ago. The airstrikes destroyed a large training camp and other positions of HTS. The Russian Center for Reconciliation in Syria said that 120 terrorists, including former commander of the Katibat al Tawhid wal Jihad, were killed in the airstrikes. Dozens of HTS’s makeshift suicide drones were also destroyed.

The location and timing of Tell Dweir explosion suggests that it was the result of either a sabotage act, or a pinpoint airstrike.

More information about the causes of the explosion and its results will likely surface in the upcoming few days. Regardless of the details, the explosion was for sure yet another blow to HTS and its allies in Greater Idlib.

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