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The locations of the JFS attacks against rebel groups are well planned and target fertile farming areas such as the ones in Atmeh and Jabal al-Zawieh. JFS avoided the main border crossings into Syria from Turkey, which previously
triggered Turkish authorities to close the borders. Instead JFS focused on seizing access routes and towns nearby. The group now controls border cities with Turkey, such Danna and Sarmada, and trading corridors for food and fuel with the Kurdish areas such as Daret Azza. Other attacks focused on capturing ammunition stores among which are Jaish al-Islam’s warehouses in Baskaba village and Jaish al-Mujahideen’s in Hallazoun village, Idlib province.
Some people questioned the whole offensive as a pretext to confiscate weapons and resources. “If the real reason behind the attack is to eliminate those who conspire against JFS then why was the group focusing on capturing the weapons and ammunition of the targeted groups rather than on eliminating their threat,”
wrote Akil Hussien, a Syrian citizen journalist. “Some people only see the offensive as a looting operation, which is much needed for the newly formed alliance. They needed it to secure the weaponry and ammunition shortage they have. They also need to secure enough stockpile for any future restrictions on the group,” he added.
On March 2, HTS launched a new wave of attacks against Ahrar al-Sham in Idlib province including Marat Misrin, al-Mastoumeh, al-Ghazal, and Zardana. HTS justified its aggression by
accusing Ahrar al-Sham of plotting against the group. But the locations attacked by HTS further confirm that the attacks were aiming, among other reasons, to capture weapons and ammunitions. Furthermore, a
statement released by Ahrar al-Sham stated the main aim of the JFS attacks is to weaken the group and to capture its resources, occurrences that happen on a regular basis.
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