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On the morning of Wednesday, 22 October 2025, a significant security operation was launched by the Internal Security troops in the town of Harem, located in western Idlib province, targeting the so-called “French Camp”—a stronghold of the jihadist group Al-Ghurabaa, led by Omar Omsen, a French national of Senegalese origin. as per field sources who spoke to Ultra captagon-production-in-syria/" class="smart-internal-link" title="📰 UN affirms disruption of Captagon production in Syria">syria/" class="auto-internal-link">syria, heavy clashes broke out during the operation, involving intense exchanges of gunfire and the use of heavy weaponry. The Al-Ghurabaa brigade—estimated to comprise dozens of fighters, mostly French-speaking Europeans—mounted fierce resistance. Official Statements Brigadier General Ghassan Bakir, commander of the Internal Security troops in Idlib province, stated: “The Internal Security forces have taken urgent and decisive measures to protect civilians in the Al-Firdous camp in rural Idlib. ” He explained that the operation was launched in response to complaints from local residents following a series of violations, most notably the kidnapping of a young girl by an armed group led by Omar Diaby—the real name of Omar Omsen.
Bakir stated that security forces had encircled the camp, set up observation posts around its perimeter, and deployed units to control all entry and exit points. Furthermore, he noted that negotiations with Diaby for his voluntary surrender had failed, as he barricaded himself inside the camp, opened fire, provoked security personnel, and spread fear among residents. Details of the Security Operation A confidential source from the General Security Directorate informed Ultra Syria that reconnaissance drones known as “Shaheen” were used overnight to track Omsen’s movements and to help identify the locations of his fighters, ultimately facilitating the launch of the operation.
The source, who requested anonymity, verified that the primary objective was to capture Omsen alive, given accusations of kidnapping and extortion within the camp. The operation was reportedly prompted by the abduction of a 10-year-old French girl, born in Syria to a father who had joined jihadist groups before his death. as per the source, Omsen accused the girl’s mother of being a “Shiite infidel. Furthermore, ” However, a leaked audio recording disclosed negotiations for the girl’s release in exchange for €20,000.
The source described this demand as “blatant extortion. ” Omsen was also reportedly recorded ordering the public flogging of a French woman of Moroccan descent—40 lashes administered in front of her husband—accusing her of helping children escape the camp. The incident was cited as further evidence of Omsen enforcing a strict and arbitrary regime within…