Unnamed [Statement on Ceasefire between Ahrar al-Sham (AAS) and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Bab al-Hawa]

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Country/entity
Syria
Region
Middle East and North Africa
Agreement name
Unnamed [Statement on Ceasefire between Ahrar al-Sham (AAS) and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Bab al-Hawa]
Date
21 Jul 2017
Agreement status
Unilateral document
Interim arrangement
Yes
Agreement/conflict level
Intrastate/local conflict ( Syrian Conflicts (1948 - ) (1976 - 2005) (2011 - ) )
Stage
Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature
Inter-group
Peace process
Syrian Local Agreements
Parties
Movement of Ahrar al-Sham al-Islamiyya;
Harikat Tahrir al-Sham (Muhammad Abu Zaid);
Third parties
-
Description
Statement issued by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham as part of a choreography of statements negotiating a ceasefire between HTS and Ahrar al-Sham al-Islamiyya in Idlib, Syria. Choreography appears to begin around the 15 July 2017 regarding a checkpoint at al-Alawin. This particular statement is related to the Initiative to Stop the Ongoing Fighting between HTS and Ahrar al-Sham, issued on 19 July 2017.

Agreement document
SY_170721_Statement on Ceasefire between Ahrar al-Sham Hayat Tahrir al-Sham_EN.pdf | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language)
SY_170721_Statement on Ceasefire between Ahrar al-Sham Hayat Tahrir al-Sham_AR.pdf | Download PDF

Local agreement properties

Process type
Informal but persistent process
Rationale
-> Local issues only; no external support mechanism; culture of signing There is no formally established mechanism to support the negotiation between Salafi armed groups. Moreover, this agreement cannot be linked to the national peace process. Indeed, both groups have a Salafist ideology; they oppose the rule of Bashar al-Assad in Syria and reject the idea of a national negotiation to solve the conflict. Yet, it seems that both signing parties choose to solve daily pragmatic issues related to their armed struggle through agreements. Although one cannot speak of a “culture” of singing peace agreements, the parties are involved (in a non-proactive and non-conscious way) in a persistent practice of signing local agreements.
Is there a documented link to a national peace process?
No
Link to national process: articulated rationale
No link to the national peace process in Syria is mentioned in the agreement, neither it can be inferred from further research. First, the agreement does not involve local governance actors; and the signing parties themselves are not official state representative. Second, all parties to the agreement reject the national peace process, as it would maintain Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian government in power. Yet, the agreement is related to multiple local level processes in Idlib governorate in July 2017.
Name of Locale
Bab al-Hawi
Nature Of Locale
Smaller
GPS Lat/Long (DD)
36.230907, 36.692617
Participant type
Local armed group
Mediator, facilitator or similar
Mediator or similar referred to
Mediator (references)
The initiative of the mediation was launched by three clerics: Sheikh Abu Mohammed al-Sadiq, Sheikh Abdul Razzaq al-Mahdi, and Sheikh Abu Hamza al-Masri.
Type of mediator/facilitator/similar
Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder

Local issues

Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture)
Page 1, In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful
Grievance List
The agreement addresses the grievances of local armed groups that fought for the control of Idlib governorate. Although the agreement does not refer to specific causes of the conflict, it lists several provisions to address local grievances.

Page 1,
It was agreed between the brothers from the Movement of Ahrar al-Sham al-Islamiyya and Harikat Tahrir al-Sham on a ceasefire, the release of detainees by both parties, the departure of factions from the Bab al-Hawi crossing and its transferal to civilian administration.
Cattle rustling/banditry
No specific mention.
Social cover
No specific mention.

In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful

Unnamed [Statement on Ceasefire between Ahrar al-Sham Hayat Tahrir al-Sham]

It was agreed between the brothers from the Movement of Ahrar al-Sham al-Islamiyya and Harikat Tahrir al-Sham on a ceasefire, the release of detainees by both parties, the departure of factions from the Bab al-Hawi crossing and its transferal to civilian administration.

Official Spokesman, Muhammad Abu Zaid Friday 27 Shuwal h1438

21.07.2017