19th Division (Syrian rebel group) explained

19th Division
Native Name:الفرقة 19
Native Name Lang:Ar
War:the Syrian Civil War
Active:
  • June 2013 – ?[1]
  • September 2012 – ? (Ansar Brigade)
Ideology:Sunni Islamism[2]
Leaders:Lt. Col. Muhammad Abdel Qadur Bakur (nom de guerre: "Abu Bakr")
Clans:
  • Ansar Brigade
  • Supporters of the Caliphate Brigade
  • Supporters of Sharia Brigade
  • Khan al-Asal Free Brigades
  • Ash-Shuyukh Brigade
  • Muhajireen Brigade
Area:Aleppo Governorate[3]
Partof:Army of Mujahideen
Allies:
Opponents:
Battles:Syrian Civil War

The 19th Division (Arabic: الفرقة 19) was a Syrian rebel group which fought in the Syrian Civil War. The group was created in June 2013 in the western countryside of the Aleppo Governorate as a part of a foreign-funded project to unify local Free Syrian Army-affiliated factions into bigger factions.[1]

History

In September 2012, the Ansar Brigade (Arabic: لواء الانصار, Liwa al-Ansar) was formed as part of the Mutasim Billah Brigades in the western Aleppo countryside.[4] The group was known for producing improvised fighting vehicles.[5] In June 2013, the group joined several other rebel groups in the area and formed the 19th Division.[1]

In late June 2013, a rebel court in Darat Izza arrested a media activist after he criticized Lt. Col. Muhammad Bakur, commander of the Ansar Brigade of the 19th Division. The arrest was condemned by an opposition court in Atarib, which demanded the Darat Izza court to release him.[6]

On 25 September 2013, the 19th Division signed a statement, along with 12 other Syrian rebel groups, in which it rejected any foreign-based opposition group, including the Syrian National Council.[2]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Mujahedeen Army of Aleppo. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 8 April 2014. 24 August 2014.
  2. News: Key Syrian rebels reject National Coalition. Al Jazeera English. 25 September 2013. 24 August 2014.
  3. News: Syria: Army of the Mujahideen Challenges ISIS Gains. Al Akhbar. 6 January 2014. 24 August 2014.
  4. Web site: Formation of the Mutasim Billah Brigades of the Free Army. Free Sarmada. 9 September 2012.
  5. Web site: DIY Weapons of the Syrian Rebels. The Atlantic. 20 February 2013.
  6. Web site: Media arrest in Aleppo for criticizing the commander of a brigade in the free. Zaman al-Wasl. 1 July 2013.