In northwestern Syria, specifically in the city of Harem in the Idlib countryside, lies the “French Ansar Camp,” also known as the “French Camp” or the “Foreigners’ Camp.”
This camp is one of the most prominent gatherings of foreign fighters in Syria, housing individuals of various nationalities, most notably French, Uighurs, Uzbeks, and Chechens.
The camp’s population is estimated at around 10,000, including fighters and their families, living according to their own laws, away from Syrian state institutions and local factions.
Camp History
The camp was established in early 2012, after foreign fighters began arriving in Syria during the height of the civil war.
Initially, the camp housed fighters of various nationalities, but over time, it became primarily concentrated around French fighters, particularly those from the Nice area of France.
The camp was led by a Frenchman of Senegalese origin, Omar Diaby, known by the nickname “Omar Omsen.”
Activities within the Camp
The camp is run semi-autonomously, with a strict internal system in place, including:
• Sharia Court: A Sharia court was established within the camp, where cases are adjudicated according to Islamic law, independent of Syrian law.
• Religious Education: Strict religious education is imposed, especially on girls, who are taught according to a specific interpretation of Sharia.
• Military Activities: The camp supervises military training for fighters, preparing them to fight in various regions of Syria.
• Internal Prison: The camp has a special prison used to detain those deemed to violate internal regulations.
Tensions with Syrian Authorities
On October 22, 2025, tensions began between Syrian security forces and the “French Strangers” battalion after they laid siege to the camp with the aim of arresting its commander, Omar Omsen, on charges of kidnapping a child from a French mother and extorting her for a ransom.
In addition, he was accused of establishing a Sharia court inside the camp and subjecting its residents to Sharia law, separate from Syrian law.
Omsin refused to surrender to Syrian authorities, prompting security forces to reinforce their presence around the camp. Clashes erupted between the two sides, with neither side able to resolve the situation.
Foreign Interventions and Support
In light of the rapidly escalating events, a number of Uzbek foreign fighters announced in a video recording their intention to intervene to support Omsin and the French fighters inside the camp. They explained that the Syrian state had begun targeting “immigrants,” and that the rest would follow suit after the French fighters were eliminated. They called on the remaining foreign fighters to join them to defend the camp and those inside.
For his part, Omsin released an audio recording in which he said that the campaign was planned by French intelligence, describing the Syrian security forces as a group of “idiots.” He also denied all charges of belonging to ISIS, as well as the accusations related to the kidnapping of the child. He claimed that French intelligence had previously attempted to assassinate him in Afrin.
The Official Syrian Narrative
Brigadier General Ghassan Bakir, commander of the Internal Security Forces in Idlib province, stated that the campaign was launched in response to complaints from camp residents regarding the serious violations they had been subjected to, the most recent of which was the kidnapping of a girl from her mother by an outlawed armed group led by Omar Diaby (Omsen).
Bakir stated that the Internal Security Forces leadership sought to negotiate with Omsen to surrender voluntarily, but he refused. He barricaded himself inside the camp, prevented civilians from leaving, and began firing, provoking security personnel, and terrorizing residents. “This confirms that he is using civilians as human shields, and he bears full legal and moral responsibility for any threat to their safety.”
Bakir emphasized that “protecting civilians and enforcing the law are the two main priorities, and we will continue to firmly take all necessary legal and security measures to ensure the enforcement of the law.”
Current Situation and Agreements
On October 23, 2025, Syrian authorities and French fighters reached an agreement to end the clashes, according to sources on both sides. Details of the agreement have not been publicly disclosed, but it is believed to have included the surrender of Omsen and the dismantling of his battalion, to avoid escalating the security situation in the region.
Images circulating on social media show scenes from the camp during the clashes, including the movement of foreign fighters and the deployment of security forces, reflecting the extent of the tension that prevailed in the area.
However, no further information has been released regarding the details of the agreement or its implications for the security situation in Idlib.
The “French Supporters Camp” in Idlib is an example of the security and political challenges facing Syria due to the presence of foreign fighters operating in areas outside state control.
Recent events also highlight the need to strengthen the rule of law and its implementation throughout Syria, regardless of the identity of its residents.
Questions remain about the fate of the camp and its residents, and whether the Syrian government will be able to impose full control over this area.
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