Appendix II: Syrian Armed Opposition Groups
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This document profiles numerous armed opposition groups operating in Syria's Aleppo, Idlib, Homs, and Dera'a provinces. It provides details on each group such as their area of operations, commander, estimated strength, and in some cases a brief assessment of their activities and credibility. The largest and most effective rebel force mentioned is the Khalid bin Walid Brigade operating in Homs Province with over 3,000 fighters. Overall the document aims to catalog and provide basic information on armed opposition units active in Syria's ongoing conflict.
Appendix II: Syrian Armed Opposition Groups
- 1. appendix 2: armed opposition groups Aleppo Province Ababeel Battalion Area of Operations: Aleppo Province Commander: Captain Ammar al-Wawi Estimated Strength: UNK Captain al-Wawi has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks throughout Aleppo and northern Idlib on behalf of the Ababeel Battalion; however, al-Wawi appears to have remained in Turkey since October 2011, making it difficult to attribute activity in Aleppo to his leadership and calling into question the credibility of this rebel unit. Hourriyeh Battalion Area of Operations: Aleppo Province Commander: Captain Ibrahim Munir Majmour Estimated Strength: 25-30 Captain Majmour’s Hourriyeh Battalion was one of the twenty-two militia groups that the FSA announced in its October 2011 video. In November 2011, Majmour made a video statement with a formation of over 25 rebels. Captain Majmour has close ties with FSA leadership but it is difficult to directly attribute the limited engagements around Aleppo to this rebel group. Idlib Province Harmoush Battalion Area of Operations: Jebel al-Zawiya Commander: Captain Yousif al-Din Yahya Estimated Strength: 150 The rebels in Jebel al-Zawiya demonstrated impressive capability in October and November 2011, conducting raids and ambushes along the major roads that surrounded their mountain hideout. After regime security forces inflicted a significant defeat to these rebels in late December, the group demonstrated resiliency by continuing to conduct major ambushes and raids as early as January 2012. Hamza Battalion Area of Operations: Idlib city and suburbs Commander: Colonel Abdul Satar Yunsu Estimated Strength: UNK When the FSA announced its expanded formal structure in October 2011, it placed Colonel Yunsu in command of the Hamza Battalion around Idlib city. Despite the frequency of rebel engagements in this area, it is difficult to determine the Hamza Battalion’s effectiveness due to the number of other rebel groups operating in the area. 46 www.Understandingwar.org
- 2. Abu Bakr al-Sideeq Battalion Area of Operations: Idlib city Commander: UNK Estimated Strength: UNK Little information is available about this rebel unit other than the fact the Dhiraar bin al-Azwar Company claimed affiliation to the larger unit during its formation. Dhiraar bin al-Azwar Company Area of Operations: Sarmeen Commander: UNK Estimated Strength: 15 Little information is available about this rebel unit outside of the Dhiraar bin al-Azwar Company’s formation announcement in early Decmeber 2011. The unit claimed affiliation to the larger Abu Bakr al-Sideeq Battalion during its formation. Moua’aweya Battalion Area of Operations: Saraqib Commander: UNK Estimated Strength: 50 This relatively large rebel group announced its formation mid-February video that showed a large gathering of at least fifty rebel fighters. Journalists interviewing rebel fighters in Saraqib around this timeframe noted the level of organization demonstrated by the Saraqib rebels. Hama Countryside & South Idlib Province Abou al-Fidaa Battalion Area of Operations: Hama countryside & south Idlib province Commander: UNK Estimated Strength: 500 (combined with Osama bin Zaid Battalion) The Abou al-Fidaa was recognized as a Hama-based FSA unit in the October 2011 video statement that first announced the umbrella groups formal structure. A number of individuals who identified themselves as members of this group have also identified themselves as members of the Osama bin Zaid Battalion, suggesting that the two groups are intimately related, if not one and the same. Together, the Abou al-Fidaa and Osama bin Zaid Battalions conducted over twenty raids and abushes against regime security forces in this agricultural plain at the foothills of the Idlib plateau north of Hama city. Osama bin Zaid Battalion Area of Operations: Hama countryside & south Idlib province Commander: Captain Zuhair al-Sheikh Estimated Strength: 500 (combined with Abou al-Fidaa Battalion) Captain al-Sheikh, who originally identified himself a member of the Abou al-Fidaa Battalion, announced Osama bin Zaid’s formation at the end of November 2011. A number of his junior leaders have since referred themselves as both members of Osama bin Zaid and Abou al-Fidaa, suggesting that the two groups are intimately related, if not one and the same. Together, the Abou al-Fidaa and Osama bin Zaid Battalions conducted over twenty raids and abushes against regime security forces in this agricultural plain at the foothills of the Idlib plateau north of Hama city. www.Understandingwar.org 47
- 3. Mohammed Hussein al-Hallaq Company (Osama bin Zaid Battalion) Area of Operations: Kafr Nabuda, Idlib/Hama Commander: Lieutenant Ayman Hallaq Estimated Strength: 25-50 (combined with Iman bin Hussein Abdullah Company) Lieutenant Hallaq appears alternately as the commander of the Mohammed Hussein al-Hallaq Company and the Iman bin Hussein Abdallah Company. In February 2012 his unit captured and then released 11 Iranian pilgrims travelling through Hama. Iman bin Hussein Abdullah Company (Abou al-Fidaa Battalion) Area of Operations: Kafr Nabuda, Idlib/Hama Commander: Lieutenant Ayman Hallaq Estimated Strength: 25-50 (combined with the Mohammed Hussein al-Hallaq Company) Lieutenant Hallaq appears alternately as the commander of the Mohammed Hussein al-Hallaq Company and the Iman bin Hussein Abdallah Company. In February 2012 his unit captured and then released 11 Iranian pilgrims travelling through Hama. Kifah Sirmala Company Area of Operations: Khan Shaykhun, Idlib & Murak, Hama Commander: Lieutenant Abdel Majid Ayoub Estimated Strength: 25 The Kifa Sirmala Company is an organized under the Osama bin Zaid Battalion. The unit has claimed credit for defending a demonstration in Khan Shaykhun, destroying armored troop carriers and ambushing loyalist forces near Murak. Manha al-Fikri Company Area of Operations: Khan Shaykhun, Idlib Commander: Lieutenant Abu Zaid Estimated Strength: 15 The Manha al-Fikri Company is organized under the Osama bin Zaid Battalion and has claimed credit for engageming loyalist forces in Khan Shaykhun. Abu Ammar Company Area of Operations: Idlib Commander: Lieutenant Ameen Abu Othman Estimated Strength: 15 The Abu Ammar Company appears to have operated independently under Ahmad Mudir al-Hussein prior to his death in mid-November 2011. The unit was incorporated into the Osama bin Zaid Battalion later in the month under the leadership of Lieutenant Othman. Hassan al-Hassan Company Area of Operations: Idlib/Hama Commander: Lieutenant Mahmoud Ahmed Hummadi Estimated Strength: 15 The Hassan al-Hassan Company is organized under the Osama bin Zaid Battalion and has claimed credit for ambushing regime security forces on the Aleppo to Damascus highway. 48 www.Understandingwar.org
- 4. Mohammed al-Sheikh Company Area of Operations: Idlib/Hama Commander: Lieutenant Mohammed Base Estimated Strength: 15 The Hassan al-Hassan Company is organized under the Osama bin Zaid Battalion but has not taken credit for any specific attacks. Khouder al-Sharif Company Area of Operations: Kafr Nabuda, Idlib/Hama Commander: Lieutenant Mohammed al-Khal Estimated Strength: 15-25 This unit formed in mid-December 2011 and stated its affiliation with the Osama bin Zaid Battalion. One of its Lieutenants, Talal al-Masri, appeared in mid-February video stating his affiliation with both the Osama bin Zaid and Abou al-Fidaa Battalions. Mosaab al-Sabeh Company Area of Operations: UNK Commander: UNK Estimated Strength: 30 This unit formed in mid-February 2012 and stated its affiliation with the Osama bin Zaid Battalion. No evidence of the affiliation appears outside of this video statement, and the unit has not claimed responsibility for any specific engagements. Azz al-Din Company Area of Operations: Idlib Commander: Jafar Abdel Fatah Akrabo Estimated Strength: 20 This unit formed in mid-February 2012 and stated its affiliation with the Osama bin Zaid Battalion. No evidence of the affiliation appears outside of this video statement, and the unit has not claimed responsibility for any specific engagements. Suleiman Battalion Area of Operations: south Idlib province Commander: Brigadier General Radwan al-Madloush (KIA, 14 November 2011) Estimated Strength: 25-50 (as of early November 2011) When the FSA announced its expanded formal structure in October 2011, it included Genaral Madloush’s Suleiman Battalion operating in the northern Hama countryside and Idlib province. This group seems to have disbanded since the raid that killed the General, and its members have likely joined the Abou al-Fidaa Battalion and its affiliates. Qashoush Battalion Area of Operations: Hama Commander: Captain Ahyam al-Kurdi Estimated Strength: UNK www.Understandingwar.org 49
- 5. When the FSA announced its expanded formal structure in October 2011, it included Captain al-Kurdi as the commander of the Qashoush Battalion in Hama. However, the Qashoush Battalion has not claimed responsibility for specific operations, unlike the other militias operating in the area, calling into question the credibility of this unit. Homs Province Khalid bin Walid Brigade Area of Operations: Homs Province Commander: Major Abdul Rahman Sheikh Al Estimated Strength: 3,000+ The Khalid bin Walid Brigade is the largest and most effective rebel force operating in Syria. After uniting various rebel commanders operating around Homs, the unit fought its first major engagement at the end of September 2011 when if conducted a fighting retreat against security forces in the town of Rastan. Farouq Battalion Area of Operations: Bab Amr, Homs City Commander: Lieutenant Abdul Razaq Tlass (KIA, 9 February 2012) Estimated Strength: 1,000 (as of early Febraury 2012) Khalid bin Walid’s Farouq Battalion has been its most effective fighting unit, inflicting heavy losses on loyalist forces in Homs’ Bab Amr neighborhood in late October and early November 2011 under the leadership of Lieutenant Tlass. In February 2012, more stiff resistance in Bab Amr led to a three week siege and bombardment of the neighborhood before ground forces entered to take the neighborhood. Fadi al-Qassim Battalion Area of Operations: Bab Dreib, Homs City Commander: Captain Yousef al-Hamood Estimated Strength: 100 Captain Yousef al-Hamood, one of the first members of Khalid bin Walid, conducted successful operations against regime forces in Homs’ Bab Dreib neighborhood in January and February 2012. Mohammed Tlass Battalion Area of Operations: Rastan, Homs Province Commander Major Ahmad Bahboh Estimated Strength: 50-100 Major Ahmad Bahboh, the original commander of Khalid bin Walid, has continued to conduct operations against regime forces in Rastan through February 2012. Hamza Battalion Area of Operations: Rastan, Homs Province Commander: Major Ali Mohammed Ayoub Estimated Strength: 50-100 The Hamza Battalion, led by Lieutenant Ibrahim Ayoub and his brother Major Ali Mohammed Ayoub succeeded in wresting Rastan’s western neighborhoods from regime control in late January 2012. 50 www.Understandingwar.org
- 6. Ali bin Abi Taleb Company Area of Operations: Houleh, Homs Province Commander: Lieutenant Faiez Ahmed al-Abdullah Estimated Strength: 25 The Ali bin Abi Taleb Company of the Khalid bin Walid Brigade withdrew from Rastan in September 2011 during the regime’s offensive there and began conducting ambushes and raids against regime security forces in the Houleh region of the Homs countryside, a little more than 10km west of Rastan. Special Tasks Battalion Area of Operations: Zafaraneh & Mukhtarieh, Homs Province Commander: Captain Rawad Ahmed al-Aksah Estimated Strength: 50 Dera’a Province Omari Battalion Area of Operations: Dera’a Province Commander: Captain Qais Qataneh Estimated Strength: 100 Captain Qais Qataneh’s Omari Battalion has successfully executed hit-and-run attacks against loyalist forces across a belt of towns in central Dera’a Province. Nasir Salah al-Din Battalion Area of Opeations: Sanamein, Dera’a Province Commander: UNK Estimated Strength: 25-50 The Nasir Salah al-Din Battalion operates independently of the Omari Battalion, conducting raids and ambushes in the countryside around Sanamein. The group coordinated with the Omari Battalion’s Captain Qataneh as of November 2011. Ahmed Khalaf Battalion Area of Operations: Jizah, Dera’a Province Commander: UNK Estimated Strength: 25 The Ahmed Khalaf Battalion operates in close coordination with the Shuhadaa al-Hurria Battalion that operates less than 10km to the north in Musayfirah, and maintains communication with the Omari Battalion. The unit has conducted infrequent but particularly effective raids against regime checkpoints and has established roadblocks around Jizah. Shuhadaa al-Hurria Battalion Area of Operations: Musayfirah, Dera’a Province Commander: UNK Estimated Strength: 25 www.Understandingwar.org 51
- 7. The Shuhadaa al-Hurria Battalion operates in close coordination with the the Ahmed Khalaf Battalion that operates less than 10km to the south in Jizah, and maintains communication with the Omari Battalion. The unit has conducted infrequent but particularly effective raids against regime checkpoints. Raed al-Masri Company Area of Operations: Tasil, Dera’a Province Commander: UNK Estimated Strength: 10 Omari Battalion commander Qais Qataneh traveled to Tasil to establish the Raed al-Masri Company in Janaury 2012, but the limited number of reported attacks in the Tasil area calls into question the credibility of this rebel group. 52 www.Understandingwar.org