Syrian Brotherhood not seeking to form alliance with Ahrar Al-Sham

The Muslim Brotherhood group in Syria denied media reports claiming it wants to form an alliance with the Ahrar Al-Sham movement.

A statement issued by the group’s Information Office said yesterday that the group’s Comptroller General Mohammed Hikmat has invited various factions for dialogue including political and military factions.

According to the statement, Hikmat’s remarks came during an interview with Al-Ahed newspaper which media outlets took out of context.

This came after Ahrar Al-Sham issued a statement denying having links to any external organisations.  “Ahrar Al-Sham is a Syrian movement which emerged from the Syrian people to defend them and their interests and identity,” it said.

According to the statement, the movement seeks to enable the Syrian people to determine their own destiny “in line with Islamic history and identity and social fabric”.

Ahrar Al-Sham emerged in 2011 following the outbreak of the Syrian revolution and is estimated to have nearly 25,000 fighters.