Syrian Forces Crackdown on French-Led Jihadist Camp in Idlib

Syrian security forces have launched a major operation targeting Firqat al-Ghuraba, a jihadist group led by French-Senegalese militant Omar Omsen, in the Idlib region of northwestern Syria. The group, consisting largely of foreign fighters including many French nationals, has been accused of severe abuses and is linked to Al-Qaeda, with Omsen designated as an international terrorist by the U.S., France, and the UN. The crackdown followed reports of Omsen kidnapping a girl and his refusal to surrender, leading to clashes that caused casualties on both sides and the arrest of several French jihadists. The operation involves surrounding the so-called "French Camp" in Harem, with Syrian forces deploying drones and reinforcements amid ongoing fighting. French media estimates that between 1,200 and 1,700 French citizens have traveled to Syria and Iraq to join armed groups, making France the European country with the most foreign fighters in the region. The campaign aims to protect civilians, enforce the law, and extradite militants wanted by French authorities.