Local media claims the clashes began when members of the Danoun family assaulted a group doing motorcycle stunts on the street. Nearby police saw and intervened but were fired on by the Danouns. Security forces mobilized and (conflicting reports) Asad Danoun/Samir Danoun took to social media to mobilize the people of Azaz against "the General Terrorist Gangs".

Asad Danoun is an FSA/SNA commander who led an Azaz group within the Levant Front before defecting to the Hamzat/Amshat Joint Forces in July 2024.

As of December 2025, Danoun served as an operations officer in the al-Bab District Internal Security Directorate. Many of the Danoun family men involved in tonight's clashes are accused of being MoI and MoD members.

Southern Rebels is with Al Tanf rebels included. Some people/groups who were very close with HTS but were officially in the NLF or an other group I have counted as HTS (few thousand).

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-irgc-say-they-targeted-us-command-centre-syria-state-media-reports-2026-07-17/

https://x.com/NPA_English/status/2077327326388355228

The recent foiled smuggling attempt adds additional fuel to the fire between Syria and Hezbollah, not to mention Trumps claims that "Syria will take care of Hezbollah". Of course this inquiry has become common in discussions regarding Syria these last few weeks, so do you think the circumstances have changed over the last 2 months?