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Army of Revolutionaries

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Not to be confused with Army of the Revolution.

Army of Revolutionaries
جيش الثوار
Jayš al-Thuwwār
Leaders
  • Ahmed Mahmoud Sultan ("Abu Araj")[1] (general commander since late 2016)
  • Abdul Malik Bard ("Abu Ali")[2] (former general commander until late 2016)
  • Hasan Banawi ("Abu Juma")[3] (Tribal Forces top commander)
  • Abu Raad Bakary[4]
    (Tribal Forces commander)
  • Khalaf Mus'ab[5]
  • Rami al-Agha[6]
Former:
  • Absi Taha ("Abu Omar")[7] (al-Qa'qa Brigade and former Army of Revolutionaries military commander)
  • Omar Rakhmon ("Tariq Abu Zeid") Surrendered[8][9][10] (former spokesperson)
  • Abu Arab[11] (777th Regiment commander)
  • Abdul Aziz Mirza[11] (Sultan Selim Brigade commander)
Dates of operation3 May 2015–present
HeadquartersTel Rifaat, Aleppo Governorate
Active regions
IdeologyFederalism
Democracy
Size1,800–3,000 fighters[12][13]
Part of
Former:
Allies Northern Democratic Brigade
Idlib Revolutionaries Brigade
People's Protection Units
Other SDF groups
Northern Democratic Brigade
Shahba Forces
Opponents Islamic State
Al-Nusra Front
Ahrar al-Sham
Syrian opposition Syrian National Army
 Turkey
 Syrian Arab Republic
Battles and warsSyrian Civil War[14]

The Army of Revolutionaries (Arabic: جيش الثوار, romanized: Jayš al-Thuwwār), also known as Jaysh al-Thuwar, is a multi-ethnic armed Syrian rebel coalition that is allied with the primarily Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and participating in the Syrian Civil War as part of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Established as a Free Syrian Army coalition in May 2015, with a presence in six governorates, its membership includes Arabs, Kurds, and Turkmen. With its stated aims of fighting both the Syrian government and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), it was expected to become one of the more relevant rebel alliances in northern Syria, consolidating the democratic rebel spectrum. It was considered one of the "potential powerbrokers" in the Aleppo, Hama, Idlib, and Latakia governorates.[15]

While Jaysh al-Thuwar considers itself to be a part of the rebel mainstream and turned down the U.S. Train-and-Equip-Program because it wanted to be able to fight the Syrian government as well as ISIL, it has always been allied with the YPG. It therefore did not receive Turkish support, rejected the Friends of Syria Group,[13] and became embroiled in open conflict with Islamist rebel groups.

Subsequently, Jaysh al-Thuwar retreated from rebel-held areas and further deepened its bonds with the YPG. In October 2015, it became one of the constituents of the Syrian Democratic Forces, increasingly integrating with the SDF's common frontlines against ISIL and other Islamist forces.

Although it cooperates with the YPG, Jaysh al-Thuwar still considers itself to be part of the Syrian Opposition.[16]

Establishment

[edit]
Ahmed Mahmoud Sultan, also known by his nom de guerre "Abu Araj", the general commander of the Army of Revolutionaries

On 3 May 2015, some of the former members of the northern branches of the Hazzm Movement and the Syria Revolutionaries Front (SRF) along with Jabhat al-Akrad, the Dawn of Freedom Brigades main component group the Northern Sun Battalion (making the Dawn of Freedom Brigades defunct in the process) and smaller FSA groups formed the Army of Revolutionaries.[17][18][non-primary source needed][19][non-primary source needed] The participation of ex-SRF fighters in the new group was denounced by former SRF leader Jamal Maarouf who was strongly opposed to the YPG.[17] Many of the northern members of the Syrian Revolutionaries Front and Hazzm Movement also joined the Levant Front, the group also has exiles from the Homs Governorate that were expelled from the region by Hezbollah in 2013.[20]

In an October 2015 publication, the Washington D.C.–based Institute for the Study of War considered Jaysh al-Thuwar as one of the "potential powerbrokers" in Aleppo province, where it is part of the Euphrates Volcano joint operations room, as well as in Hama, Idlib and Latakia provinces, though not in Homs province.[15]

Stances

[edit]

The group has expressed disapproval of foreign presence in Syria, specifically condemning the involvement of Russia, Iran, and Turkey. In regards to the deployment of the Turkish military into Idlib, Ahmed Sultan said that Idlib had been sold to Russia and Iran as well as the Syrian government and called upon Idlib's population to fight Iranian, Russian and Turkish forces in Idlib.[21] Sultan has also blamed Turkey's presence in Idlib for Russian airstrikes, saying "Idlib's southern countryside has been destroyed by aircraft, the Syrian regime, and the modern weapons that Russia is testing in that region," and that if Idlib were attacked it would cause a large humanitarian disaster, and that the group would fight to end Turkey's presence in both Idlib and Afrin.[22] In response to the Syrian government's offensive in Idlib in early 2019, the group released a joint statement with a fellow Free Syrian Army-aligned SDF group known as the Northern Democratic Brigade stating both groups were ready to protect Idlib from an Iranian-led Shiite invasion, and stating that Iran's involvement in Syria is as bad as Turkey's.[23][non-primary source needed]

Governance

[edit]

In areas the group controls or has a presences in it conducts social outreach programs such as organizing Eid al-Adha celebrations and distribution of gifts to locals, as well as visiting hospitals.[24] The group also organized protests in response to the rebel loss in Aleppo in December 2016, calling for the fall of the Syrian government.[25][non-primary source needed]

Battles and territorial presences

[edit]
Kurdish Front fighters, part of Jaysh al-Thuwar, near the town of Herbel in July 2016

Jaysh al-Thuwar did not apply to join the American Train-and-Equip-Program because it declined to restrict itself to fighting ISIL. The Army subsequently released videos of them fighting both against the Syrian Army in Aleppo and the northern Homs pocket, as well as against ISIL in Mare', Kobanê and northern Raqqa.[citation needed]

It controlled territory to the west of Azaz, bordering the Kurdish-held Afrin Canton, and claimed further presences in the Rashidin neighborhood of Aleppo, as well as in Tell Malah and al-Ghab Plain areas in northern Hama, and sleeper cells in Manbij area.[12][better source needed]

The Army of Revolutionaries did not qualify for any support by Turkey, but neither did it receive any U.S. support. With weaponry considered "sparse by even Syrian standards", the coalition began to disintegrate early on.[12][better source needed]

In July 2015, Division 30 fighters retreated to territory controlled by the Army of Revolutionaries west of Azaz after being attacked by the al-Nusra Front. This led to clashes between the Army of Revolutionaries and al-Nusra.[26]

On 29 August 2015, 30 fighters from the Army of Revolutionaries graduated from a boot camp west of Azaz, named after Alaa Ajabu, the former general commander of the Kurdish Front who was killed in action fighting against ISIL near Azaz in February 2014.[27]

Abdul Malik Bard, also known by his nom de guerre "Abu Ali", general commander of the group until late 2016

On 13 February 2016, the Homs Liberation Movement declared hostilities on the Army of Revolutionaries. This led to the defection of two groups affiliated with the Army of Revolutionaries in Homs: the Homs Revolutionary Union and the 777th Regiment. With this incident, the Army of Revolutionaries no longer operate in the Homs Governorate.[28] However, a commander in the Homs Liberation Movement claimed that some rebels in Homs still have covert links to Jaysh al-Thuwar, but refused to name the groups, citing that "they deceived him" and he "does not know the nature of the said army's relationship with the enemies of the revolution".[29]

Jaysh al-Thuwar claims to have a presence in the Idlib Governorate. Orient News claimed that the group has cells in Ariha that conducted assassinations and "kidnapping operations" in the Idlib countryside and 12 of them were reportedly captured by the Army of Conquest in March 2016.[30]

When the Battle of Qamishli broke out between Rojavan security forces and the regime in 2021, Jaysh al-Thuwar deployed to Qashimi to reenforce the security forces.[31]

Integration into the Syrian Democratic Forces

[edit]
Flags of the Army of Revolutionaries and the Syrian Democratic Forces on the wreckage of a Syrian Air Force aircraft in Menagh Military Airbase, February 2016

In spite of occasional denials, the rebel coalition has always been closely allied with the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). The coalition was therefore met with distrust by more Islamist rebel factions, and became embroiled in open conflict with hard-line Islamists, such as al-Qaeda's al-Nusra Front.[12]

Further deepening bonds with the YPG and other anti-ISIL forces, the Army of Revolutionaries co-established the Syrian Democratic Forces in October 2015. Originally, only the eastern Syria branch of the group was part of the SDF.[12][better source needed] On 17 November 2015, 15 rebel groups led by the Army of Revolutionaries established the SDF's branch in Aleppo and Idlib.[32] Subsequently, its constituents became involved in clashes with the al-Nusra Front, Ahrar al-Sham and Islamist groups of the Fatah Halab and the Mare' Operations Room.[33] During the battles, two fighters of Jaysh al-Thuwar were beheaded by al-Nusra.[34] According to observers, it therefore withdrew most of its presence from other rebel-held areas, refocusing on the Syrian Democratic Forces' joint front lines.[12]

On 21 January 2017, the Army of Revolutionaries released 74 prisoners of war from rival rebel forces.[35] On 11 March 2017, after negotiations between the Syrian National Democratic Alliance, the political council of Idlib, and the Army of Revolutionaries, a second batch of 80 prisoners were released.[36]

Training camp of the Army of Revolutionaries in October 2017

On 30 July 2017, the group announced that it would allow additional women to join its ranks, though its member group the Kurdish Front already recruit women into their units.[37][38]

In early August, former Army of Revolutionaries commander Wissi Hijazi ("Abu Uday Menagh"), who had previously helped to capture Menagh and Menagh Military Airbase during the Northern Aleppo offensive (February 2016) and been involved in a scandal surrounding a Kurdish girl, defected to the TFSA's Sultan Murad Division. He cited his opposition to alleged cooperation between the government and the SDF as reason for this move. His defection was not accepted, however, by the Revolutionary Council of Menagh (another TFSA faction), which declared its intention to have him killed.[39][40][41] In response, the Army of Revolutionaries issued a statement claiming that Hijazi was already expelled from the group in May 2016.[42]

In an interview on 28 August 2017, Ahmed Sultan, leading commander of the Army of Revolutionaries, denied any coordination between his group and the Syrian Elite Forces, although both groups are participating in the Battle of Raqqa. During the interview, Sultan also stated that the Army of Revolutionaries was ready to fight in Deir ez-Zor against ISIL and in Idlib against al-Qaeda.[43] In January 2018, the Army of Revolutionaries declared that it would fight with the YPG/YPJ against Operation Olive Branch.[44]

Current and former groups

[edit]
See also: List of armed groups in the Syrian Civil War

Current

[edit]

This is a list of current and former Jaysh al-Thuwar groups:[12][45][32]

Former

[edit]

Flag

[edit]

Whilst the Army of Revolutionaries uses the same Syrian independence flag used by many other opposition groups,[44] the group also uses its own more specific Army of Revolutionaries flag, as well as the flag of the Syrian Democratic Forces. Since 2017, it also used a new flag, based on the flag of the SDF.

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Factions of the Free Army declare supporting JMC". Hawar News Agency. 29 August 2016. Archived from the original on 5 November 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  2. ^ "Abu Ali cold .. "Rebel Alfnazi" ally of the PYD". Enab Baladi. 14 February 2016.
  3. ^ "Abu Juma, leader of Jaysh al-Thuwar (back), speaking on the phone near the town of Azaz". ITAR-TASS Photo Agency. 10 March 2016. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  4. ^ "Tribal forces: Our goal is liberation tenderness and all Syrian territory from terrorism". Hawar News Agency. 19 June 2017. Archived from the original on 24 June 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  5. ^ "Arab revolutionary factions: we will liberate north of Syria". Hawar News Agency. 6 July 2017. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  6. ^ "Jaish al-Thuwar: Turkey's end would be in al-Shahba". Hawar News Agency. 18 July 2017. Archived from the original on 18 July 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  7. ^ "Abu Omar: Some of the media want to distort the image of the rebel army". Hawar News Agency. 11 January 2016. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  8. ^ "Hardline Islamists drove me from opposition back to Assad, says regime negotiator". Syria Direct. 11 April 2017.
  9. ^ "A spokesman for the rebel army: Turkey's armed groups belonging to the base in Syria". Hawar News Agency. 27 February 2016. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  10. ^ "The most prominent stations Omar Rakhmon representative of the regime in Aleppo agreement (Video)". Enab Baladi. 17 December 2016.
  11. ^ a b c "Why Jaish al-Thuwar was bombarded by Turkey". Al-Monitor. 18 February 2016. Archived from the original on 22 February 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Hasan Mustafa (16 November 2015). "An Analysis of Jaish al-Thuwar (The Army of Revolutionaries) – A Component of the Syrian Democratic Forces". Hasan Mustafa. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  13. ^ a b "President of the Political Bureau (Rebel Army): Our goal is the unity of Syria and fighting regime forces and Daesh". Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office. 4 July 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  14. ^ a b "YPG, allies clash with Syrian opposition groups in Aleppo". Middle East Eye. 29 November 2015.
  15. ^ a b Jennifer Cafarella; Genevieve Casagrande (7 October 2015). "Backgrounder: Syrian Opposition Guide" (PDF). Institute for the Study of War. pp. 16, 20, 23, 25, 27. Note that Raqqa province was not covered by the study.
  16. ^ Al-Tamimi, Aymenn Jawad (2 February 2021). "Jaysh al-Thuwar: Component of the Syrian Democratic Forces". Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  17. ^ a b Scott Lucas (18 April 2016). "Syria Analysis: The Resurrection of America's Favorite Rebel Commander?". EA WorldView.
  18. ^ "#Syria: Seven FSA groups (incl. Jabhat Akrad, Shams Shamal & Homs Revolutionary Union) form "The Revolutionary Army"" – via Twitter.
  19. ^ "#SRO – EXCLUSIVE – Former Hazzm and #SRF forces allied with kurds and some #FSA small units to create Jaysh al-Thuwar (in 4 governorates)" – via Twitter.
  20. ^ "The Coalition's Partner in Syria: The Syrian Democratic Forces". 9 July 2017.
  21. ^ أبو عراج: تركيا باعت إدلب أيضاً للنظام السوري وداعميه. Hawar News. 23 January 2018. Archived from the original on 23 January 2018.
  22. ^ "US-backed commander vows to capture Afrin and Idlib from Turkey". 17 April 2019. Archived from the original on 2 October 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  23. ^ "Syrian Rebellion Obs (@Syria_Rebel_Obs) | Twitter" – via Twitter.
  24. ^ قيادة جيش الثوار تزور مشافي مدينة منبج بمناسبة عيد الأضحى المبارك. جيش الثوار. 25 October 2019. Archived from the original on 25 October 2019 – via YouTube.
  25. ^ "Thomas van Linge on Twitter: "#Syria: Jaysh al-Thuwar (#SDF) rebels protested in solidarity with #Aleppo, shouting "the people want the fall of the regime!"… https://t.co/4gCVCJd38U"". 8 August 2019. Archived from the original on 8 August 2019.
  26. ^ "Rivals of ISIS Attack U.S.-Backed Syrian Rebel Group". The New York Times. 31 July 2015.
  27. ^ "Al-Thuwar Army Ends Training The First Batch Of Special Forces In Northern Countryside Of Aleppo". RFS Media Office. 29 August 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  28. ^ "Homs liberation movement vows to members of the rebel army in Homs prosecution and trial". Sham News Network. 14 February 2016.
  29. ^ ""Movement for the Liberation of Homs" accused "rebel army" by "collaborating" with the system through the "Democratic Union" Kurdish". SMART News Agency. 14 February 2016. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  30. ^ "Jaysh al-Fatth captures a Jaysh al-Thuwar cell". Orient News. 31 March 2016. Archived from the original on 10 March 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  31. ^ وحدات المهام الخاصة في جيش الثوار تتحرك باتجاه مدينة الحسكة لردع ميليشيات الدفاع الوطني في القامشلي, retrieved 22 September 2021
  32. ^ a b c "15 opposition brigades in Idlib, Aleppo join SDF forces". Syria Direct. 18 November 2015. Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  33. ^ "Nusra reportedly attacks newly pledged SDF forces in Aleppo". Syria Direct. 25 November 2015.
  34. ^ "Jabhat Al-Nusra assassinates members of the Army of the revolutionaries and civilians in Idlib Army". Syria Freedom Forever. 29 November 2015.
  35. ^ "Kurds release 74 Turkey-backed rebels north Syria". ARA News. 22 January 2017. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017.
  36. ^ "Soldiers salute workers deserve". Syrian National Democratic Alliance. 14 March 2017. Archived from the original on 14 March 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  37. ^ Wladimir van Wilgenburg (1 August 2017). "Syrian rebel group to recruit women inspired by bravery of SDF female fighters". ARA News. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  38. ^ "The opening of the mobilization in the forces of the rebel army and leader Abu Araj shows the reasons and reasons in the report". Kurd Street. 30 July 2017.
  39. ^ "SDF-Led Jaish Al-Thwar militia gets a slap and loses its military commander". Al-Dorar al-Shamia. 13 August 2017. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  40. ^ "Menagh Revolutionary Council refuses "Abu Udai" and pursuits him". Al-Dorar al-Shamia. 13 August 2017. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  41. ^ Oliviero Reusser (13 August 2017). "Jaish al-Thuwar commander defects to Sultan Murad Division in northern Aleppo". Conflict News. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  42. ^ "dissident leader of the Free Army and a member of "Qusd" split from the last and back to the sea .. And faction refuses and waste his blood". AksAlser. 14 August 2017.
  43. ^ "Has made further progress in the city of Al-Rigga .. elements of the "Kd" split and join the army". Al-Watan. 29 August 2017.
  44. ^ a b "Commander of" Jayiah al-Thwar": We fight cowardice to the side, do not believe the false news". Hawar News Agency. 21 January 2018. Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  45. ^ "Five Military Factions To Join The Ranks Of The "Army Rebels"". RFS Media Office. 7 May 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  46. ^ "Kurds Front: we will resist to the last gasp". Hawar News Agency. 24 October 2016. Archived from the original on 25 October 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  47. ^ "بيان إلى الرأي العام". Archived from the original on 17 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  48. ^ تشكيل أول كتيبة عسكرية لنساء مناطق الشهباء (in Arabic). Hawar News Agency. Archived from the original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  49. ^ "The "rebel army" controls two villages in the northern countryside of Aleppo". SMART News Agency. 8 February 2016. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  50. ^ "SDF announces the launch of 'Great Battle' for Raqqa". ANF News.
  51. ^ "KurdisCat: 3 membres de Jabhat al Akrad i Quwat al-Ashair moren en combat contra l'IS al front d'al Bab". 6 December 2016.
  52. ^ "Jaysh al-Thuwar: Our operations against Daesh terror continues". Hawar News Agency. Archived from the original on 1 December 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  53. ^ "Revolutionary Shield declares readiness to respond to the attacks of the Turkish occupation". Firat News Agency. 27 January 2018.
  54. ^ "Commander of the "rebels Khalidiya" .. fought in Homs and Idlib and was assassinated in the door". Enab Baladi. 20 June 2017.
  55. ^ "EXCLUSIVE – Liwa al-Qaqaa was one of Jaysh al-Thuwar for #Afrin then became autonomous in #SDF as Liwa al-Shamal al-Democrati". Syrian Rebellion Obs. 11 November 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  56. ^ "Arab fighters: ready to fight until the liberation of all over Syria". Hawar News Agency. 18 December 2015. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
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