Overview
- Syrian security forces launched an overnight operation on October 21–22 around a camp in Harim near the Turkish border led by Oumar Diaby, a U.S.-designated militant wanted by France.
- Authorities accuse Diaby of abducting a girl, refusing to surrender, firing on security forces, and using civilians as human shields.
- Gunfire fell silent by early afternoon on October 22, and an AFP reporter entered the site, observing masked fighters as families and children remained inside amid bombardment allegations from Diaby’s son.
- The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said non‑French foreign jihadists brokered mediation, and subsequent reports describe a tentative agreement enabling a ceasefire, entry of Syrian forces, and judicial handling of the alleged abduction.
- Officials state the objective is to detain foreign fighters sought by France and to fold or dismantle autonomous armed groups as Damascus consolidates control in Idlib.