Ahl al-Sham should not be confused with Ahrar ash-Sham.
| Ahl Al-Sham | |
| Native Name: | غرفة أهل الشام |
| Native Name Lang: | Arabic |
| War: | the Syrian Civil War |
| Active: | 24 February 2014[1] – 6 February 2015 |
| Clans: | |
| Headquarters: | Aleppo, Syria[2] |
| Area: | Aleppo Governorate, Syria |
| Allies: | Free Syrian Army Syria Revolutionaries Front[3] People's Protection Units Jabhat al-Akrad |
| Opponents: | Syrian Armed Forces |
| Battles: | |
Ahl Al-Sham (Arabic: غرفة أهل الشام) was a joint command structure and umbrella organization of four main Syrian opposition factions operating in Aleppo, Syria. The factions are:
The group has held talks with the People's Protection Units and Jabhat al-Akrad; they have agreed to a truce in order to focus on fighting the Assad government.[4]
The groups involved in the structure are perceived differently by the United States; while Al-Nusra Front and Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar are designated as terrorist organizations by the United States.[5] [6] In contrast Islamic Front is considered by the United States as a "moderate" fighting force and the Army of Mujahedeen is being vetted by them to receive support.[7] [8]
In late October 2014, the al-Nusra Front began attacking cities held by the Free Syrian Army and other moderate Islamist groups, in an attempt to establish its own Islamic state with imposed Sharia rule.[9]
In December 2014, the Levant Front coalition was established, possibly superseding Ahl al-Sham.[10] It includes the Islamic Front and the Army of Mujahideen but excludes al-Nusra and Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar. The Aleppo Liberation operations room was established in February 2015; it includes Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar as part of the Jabhat Ansar al-Din.[11]
