ISLAMIST police are set to take over responsibility for security in Idlib province after jihadists forced the dismantling of the so-called Free Syrian Police, a group sponsored by the British and Dutch governments.

The 3,300-strong police force was dissolved following a deal struck between jihadist and non-jihadist militant groups in the northern Syrian province.

Jihadist groups have now taken control of most of Idlib, where it is believed that 80,000 miltants of the Hetesh alliance, the Syrian wing of al-Qaida, are concentrated. 

Policing will be carried out by a Hetesh-affiliated force under the control of the jihadist National Salvation Government, which runs large areas of Idlib.

The Free Syrian Police was established in 2012 and financially supported by Western countries, including Britain and the Netherlands.

This backing attracted criticism, with the BBC Panorama programme alleging that British government money given to the group had fallen into the hands of jihadists.

Earlier this month, Hetesh extended its control over parts of Idlib after striking a deal with the moderate National Liberation Front, bringing an end to nine days of fighting.

However, a bomb blast in the centre of Idlib city targeted the Hetesh headquarters yesterday, indicating that the conflict between the two groups could resume.

According to local reports, a car bomb exploded killing 11 people, seven of whom were believed to be jihadist fighters.

Despite US President Donald Trump’s claim to have defeated Isis in Syria, there is evidence that jihadists are regrouping and taking control of pockets in the north of the country.

A deal was struck in September between Russia and Turkey — the latter a backer of militant groups in Idlib province — to establish a demilitarised buffer zone preventing Syrian forces from launching a ground assault.

The Turkish government warned yesterday that it would not accept Damascus reasserting control of the city of Manbij, where it has threatened a ground invasion to clear the area of the Kurdish YPG militia, which Ankara views as a threat to its national security.

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said: “In no case can we facilitate provocations by the Syrian regime in Manbij, as well as attempts by members of the YPG to open the door to the regime’s forces. 

“Clearing the YPG out of Manbij is a matter of national security for us. The terrorist attack in Manbij once again showed the importance of clearing the region of terrorists and the need to implement the road map for Manbij.”