Abu TOW was never AQ and his relationship with HTS is that they once arrested him for making fun of them on the internet. (https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/syria-rebels-arrest-renowned-fighter-over-mocking-instagram-posts)

Russians are recruiting Syrians and allegedly (unconfirmed, Iraqi intelligence) also the PKK Turkish Kurds based in Iraq. They're also recruiting Africans (through Wagner in Africa). Including Libyans but also the blacks from Mali, CAR, Sudan. One ironic aspect with the CAR ones, and that's not new, is this: https://www.france24.com/en/video/20211209-russian-mercenaries-using-eu-trained-force-in-central-african-republic

Al-Mayadeen is a Hezbollah media website. Hezbollah themselves aren't being recruited but they're pro-Russia.