On October 26, after hours of fighting, forces of HTS had taken 'Abu Aref' hill in the Turkmen mountains from 'Jund Allah', killing 7 members of the faction. 4 members of HTS were also killed during the fighting. Under mediation of the Turkistan Islamic Party in Syria, the HTS had secured a deal with two rival factions where they agreed to leave the Turkman mountains, however some members of the factions refused and continued fighting.