Damascus, Syria – Syrian security forces launched a large-scale security operation targeting a camp near the town of Harem in northwestern Syria, where a number of French fighters belonging to the “Firqat al-Ghuraba” group are residing. The group is led by French-Senegalese militant Omar Diaby, also known as Omar Omsen. A video shows details of the operation in Syria.
Agence France-Presse reported that the operation aimed to arrest wanted French nationals suspected of participating in combat and recruitment into the ranks of jihadist groups during the Syrian conflict.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, local security forces—affiliated with the Salvation Government’s Ministry of Interior—completely surrounded the camp, and limited clashes erupted after some militants refused to surrender.
Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Observatory, said, “The operation targets individuals wanted by the French government, and local Syrian authorities are seeking to detain them pending their extradition or legalization.” He also confirmed a heavy security presence in the town, noting that “military convoys equipped with heavy machine guns have successively arrived at the outskirts of the camp.”
“The Strangers’ Brigade”: The French Jihadist Battalion in Syria
The Ghurabaa Brigade, founded in 2013, is one of the most prominent foreign jihadist groups in Syria. It is comprised mostly of French-speaking fighters, most of whom come from France, Belgium, and African countries. Its membership is estimated at around 150 fighters, including 70 French nationals, who reside with their families in what is known as the “French Camp” in the northwestern Idlib countryside near the Turkish border.
The group is led by Omar Omsen, 54, a controversial figure in jihadist circles. French authorities accuse him of recruiting approximately 80% of the French-speaking jihadists who joined Syria and Iraq online.
Although it originated within Jabhat al-Nusra (al-Qaeda’s branch in Syria), the “Ghuraba Division” later split off and joined the Guardians of Religion Organization, one of al-Qaeda’s most prominent branches today. It also participated in battles against the Syrian regime, particularly in Jabal al-Zawiya, as part of the “Wa Harid al-Mu’minin” operations room.
Tensions with Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and previous violations
In recent years, the group has witnessed repeated tensions with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the de facto force controlling Idlib. This tension stemmed from Omsen’s refusal to hand over some French children to their families, most notably the case of Yasmine, which led to his arrest by HTS in 2020 for 17 months.
The group also faces accusations of internal abuses, such as forced detention and financial disputes. Several former members have previously threatened to reveal confidential files related to Omsen’s actions, accusing him of bullying and mismanagement.
