Sham Legion Explained

Sham Legion
Native Name:فَيْلَق الشَّام
Faylaq al-Sham
Native Name Lang:Ar
War:the Syrian Civil War and the Libyan Civil War (2014–present)
Active:10 March 2014 – present[1]
Ideology:Sunni Islamism[2]
Leaders:
  • Commander-in-chief: Fadlallah al-Haji
  • Leader (2014): Mondher Saras
  • Top commander: Col. Mohammad Bakkar[3]
  • Field commander: Zuheir Harba[4]
  • Senior commander: Feisal Balkash[5]
  • Field commander (2014–18): Maj. Yasser Abdul Rahim[6] [7]
  • Field commander: Khaldun Mador ("Abu Jamil")
Area:Western and northern Syria
Size:4,000[8] [9]
(Russian military claim, December 2016)
8,500-10,000 fighters (2018 estimate)[10]
Partof:
Predecessor:Shields of the Revolution Council
Civilian Protection Committee[18]
Allies:
Opponents:
Battles:Syrian Civil War

The Sham Legion (Arabic: فَيْلَق الشَّام, Faylaq al-Shām[1]) is an alliance of Sunni Islamist rebel groups formed in March 2014, during the Syrian Civil War.[1] The alliance was formed from 19 different groups,[22] some of which were previously affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood of Syria and the Shields of the Revolution Council.[1] [23]

History

The Sham Legion was formed on 10 March 2014 from 19 Islamist rebel groups in Syria. These groups operated from the Aleppo Governorate to Damascus, but were concentrated in the Idlib, Hama, and Homs governorates. The formation aimed to "unify the ranks" of non-al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamist rebels in Syria. After its formation, the group took part in the Battle of Morek and Khan Shaykhun in 2014. Upon the formation of the group, it immediately distanced itself from the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood in order to win Saudi aid.[1] The group also sent advisers to support Libya Dawn forces based in Tripoli, which were fighting against the Libyan National Army.[24]

On 24 March 2015, the Army of Conquest, an alliance of Sunni Islamist and Salafist jihadist groups in Syria, was announced, with the Sham Legion as a member group. As part of the Army of Conquest, the Sham Legion took part in the Battle of Idlib and the subsequent Idlib and wider Northwestern Syria offensives.[25] On 26 April 2015, along with six other major Aleppo-based rebel groups (Ahrar al-Sham, Jaysh al-Islam, Fastaqim Union, Levant Front, Levant Revolutionaries Battalions, and Dawn of Caliphate Battalions), the Sham Legion established the Fatah Halab joint operations room.[26] [27] Major Yasser Abdul Rahim, field commander of the Sham Legion, was appointed commander of Fatah Halab, a position he maintained until government forces recaptured all of Aleppo in December 2016.[7]

Between 2014 and 2016, the Sham Legion was at one point a rebel group vetted by the United States and received BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missiles from it.[28] In January 2016, the Northern Brigade was formed as part of the Sham Legion in the Aleppo Governorate.[29] The group participated in Operation Euphrates Shield, which began on 24 August 2016 in Jarabulus and aimed to expel the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Islamic State from the northern Aleppo Governorate.[30] Following the campaign, the Sham Legion became involved in inter-rebel conflict between the different Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (TFSA) factions. On 30 May 2017, after increasing inter-rebel conflict in northern Aleppo, the Sham Legion expelled the Northern Brigade from its ranks and dismissed its commander, Captain Mustafa Rami al-Kuja.[31] The Sham Legion, along with six other TFSA groups, formed the Victory Bloc in June 2017,[32] while the Free North Brigade, formerly part of the al-Tawhid Brigade, joined the Sham Legion on 16 June 2017.

The Sham Legion also took part in the Turkish military intervention in Afrin in 2018, with its chief commander Major Yasser Abdul Rahim serving as a "key member" of the campaign's Olive Branch Operations' Room. Rahim stated that the operation against the Syrian Democratic Forces in the Afrin District intended to "liberate the area from all kinds of terrorism and protect civilians, Arabs and Kurds" and that the TFSA would attempt to avoid civilian casualties.[6] On 7 February 2018, Rahim was dismissed from his position as commander without explanation, and was replaced by Khaldun Mador ("Abu Jamil"). Khaldun, reportedly the third highest-ranking commander of the Sham Legion.[7] Rahim went on to join the Glory Corps.[33] In May 2018, along with 10 other rebel groups in northwestern Syria, the Sham Legion formed the National Front for Liberation, which was officially announced on 28 May. Colonel Fadlallah al-Haji, commander of the Sham Legion, was appointed as the overall commander of the formation.[17] On 4 June, the Martyrs of Islam Brigade, also part of the NFL, joined the Sham Legion.

On 26 October 2020, Russian warplanes targeted a training camp of the Sham Legion, near Kafr Takharim in Idlib Governorate. The strike killed at least 78 fighters and wounded over 100 more.[34] [35] [36] The director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman, called the strike the heaviest attack since the beginning of the ceasefire in March 2020.[37] [38] A rebel spokesman gave estimates of more than 170 fighters dead or were wounded.[39] [40]

Member groups

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: The Sham Legion: Syria's Moderate Islamists. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 15 April 2014. 25 August 2014.
  2. News: Al Qaeda and allies gain more ground in Aleppo province. The Long War Journal. 24 June 2016. 30 August 2016.
  3. Web site: Prominent rebel commander killed in Mallah battles. Izat. Charkatli. Al-Masdar News. 10 July 2016. 10 July 2016. 1 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190501203749/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/prominent-rebel-commander-killed-mallah-battles/. dead.
  4. Web site: Jihadist rebels suffer heavy casualties in failed northern Aleppo offensive. Leith. Fadel. 9 July 2016. 12 July 2016. 1 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190501205259/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jihadist-rebels-suffer-heavy-casualties-failed-northern-aleppo-offensive/. dead.
  5. Web site: Senior Terrorist Commanders Killed in Failed Attacks on Gov't Positions in Aleppo. Farsnews. 10 July 2016. 10 July 2016. 25 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170225051112/http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950420001043. dead.
  6. Web site: Who Are the Pro-Turkey Rebels Advancing on Syria's Afrin . . 22 January 2018 . 22 January 2018.
  7. Web site: The "Sham Corps" isolates leader Yasser Abdel Rahim. Enab Baladi. 7 February 2018.
  8. Web site: Yes, there are 70,000 moderate opposition fighters in Syria. Spectator Blogs. 29 November 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20151128085007/http://blogs.new.spectator.co.uk/2015/11/yes-there-are-70000-moderate-opposition-fighters-in-syria-heres-what-we-know-about-them/. 28 November 2015.
  9. Web site: List of armed formations, which joined the ceasefire in the Syrian Arab Republic on December 30, 2016. Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation. 30 December 2016.
  10. Web site: Pro-Turkey rebels start pullout from Syria's Idlib under deal | DW | 30.09.2018. Deutsche Welle.
  11. Web site: New alliance could signal end of Islamic Front. As-Safir. 4 August 2014. 25 August 2014.
  12. Web site: The biggest rebel factions in Aleppo just formed coalition "Operation Conquest of Aleppo". Source is a facebook video uploaded 20 mins ago by the Syrian Revolution 2011 facebook page. : syriancivilwar. reddit. 26 April 2015.
  13. Web site: Inside the Victory Army restructuring: Infighting led to 'breakdown of our operational effectiveness'. 12 July 2016.
  14. Web site: WinningLooksLike comments on FSA, Jabhat a-Nusra ally in north Homs ahead of expected Russian-backed offensive. reddit. 6 October 2015.
  15. Web site: Factions involved in North Aleppo's Opposition/SDF Conflict. Archicivilians. 1 December 2015. 1 December 2015. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304124513/http://archicivilians.com/factions-involved-in-north-aleppos-oppositionsdf-conflict/. dead.
  16. Web site: Official statement listing groups involved in the 'North Hama Countryside Operations Room' - Jaish al-Nasr, Jaish al-Izza, Faylaq al-Sham, Abna al-Sham, Liwa Omar • r/syriancivilwar. reddit. 5 November 2016.
  17. Web site: 11 FSA Factions in New Command in of "National Front Liberation". Syria Call. 28 May 2018. 29 May 2018. 18 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181118162023/https://nedaa-sy.com/en/news/6391. dead.
  18. Web site: The Sham Legion ... the transformations, the network of relations, and the unique case in militarism. Syria TV. Abdullah al-Mousa. 29 October 2020.
  19. News: Freedom, Human Rights, Rule of Law: The Goals and Guiding Principles of the Islamic Front and Its Allies. 17 May 2014. 18 May 2014. Democratic Revolution, Syrian Style.
  20. Web site: Syrian War Daily – 2nd of March 2018. 2 March 2018.
  21. Web site: Rebels launch full-on assault of Idlib city. Syria Direct. 25 March 2015.
  22. News: Nineteen Syrian Opposition Groups Unite under 'Al-Sham Legion'. Syria 360°. 11 March 2014. 18 May 2014.
  23. Cody Roche Syrian Opposition Factions in the Syrian Civil War, Bellingcat, 13 August 2016
  24. News: Turkey to send Syrian rebel fighters to battle Haftar in Libya . Ragip Soylu . Harun al-Aswad . Middle East Eye . 27 December 2019 . 29 December 2019 .
  25. Web site: Growing Rebel Capabilities Press the Syrian Regime. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Jeffrey White. 27 April 2015.
  26. Web site: Fateh Haleb Coalition Member Organizations List : syriancivilwar. reddit. 27 April 2015.
  27. Web site: In the footsteps of Idlib .. factions announce the version of the Aleppo army "conquest". Zaman al-Wasl. 26 April 2015.
  28. Web site: The Moderate Rebels: A Growing List of Vetted Groups Fielding BGM-71 TOW Anti-Tank Guided Missiles. hasanmustafas. 8 May 2015.
  29. Web site: Clashes break out in Ghouta of Damascus and in Dar'a; Al-Sham Legion forms Al-Shamal Brigade in Aleppo. Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office. 30 January 2016.
  30. Web site: Turkish-led forces capture first village in northern Syria. al-Masdar News. 24 August 2016. 1 September 2016. 28 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160828110054/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/turkish-led-forces-capture-first-village-northern-syria/. dead.
  31. Web site: Northern Brigade separates from Sham Legion. All4Syria. 30 May 2017.
  32. Web site: The merger of seven opposition factions north of Aleppo under the name of (a block of victory). Al Etihad Press. 5 June 2017. 3 November 2020. 8 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170608092714/http://aletihadpress.com/2017/06/06/%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AC-%D8%B3%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%A9-%D9%81%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B6%D8%A9-%D8%B4%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%AD%D9%84%D8%A8-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%AA-%D9%85/. dead.
  33. Web site: The "Zanki" resolves itself and joins the "Corps of Glory" ... and the "Liberation of the Sham" muttered. Al-Modon. 26 March 2019.
  34. Web site: Deadly blow to the Faylaq al-Sham militants in Idlib by Russia. remmont. 27 October 2020.
  35. Web site: Thousands of residents mourn death of group of al-Sham Corps fighters killed in Russian airstrikes. SOHR. 27 October 2020.
  36. Web site: مدير "المرصد السوري": القصف الروسي كان الأعنف بالنسبة للفصائل المقاتلة منذ بداية العمليات الروسية في العام . Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 26 October 2020. Arabic.
  37. Web site: Russian air strikes kill dozens of Turkish-backed rebels in Syria, monitor says. 26 October 2020. France24.
  38. Web site: Russian airstrikes kill Turkish-backed rebels in Syria. Deutsche Welle. 26 October 2020.
  39. Web site: Airstrikes kill or injure dozens of fighters in camp for Turkish-backed rebels in Syria. washingtonpost. 28 October 2020.
  40. Web site: 170 fighters killed and injured so far in Russian airstrikes on camp of al-Sham Corps, north-west of Idlib. SOHR. 28 October 2020.
  41. Web site: فيلق الشام on Twitter.
  42. Web site: Liwa al-Sadiq based in Abu al-Duhur and led by Abu al-Sami joined Faylaq al-Shampic.twitter.com/uMc7amKBBL. Joško. Barić. 23 May 2017.
  43. Web site: Hassan Ridha on Twitter. 12 July 2016.
  44. Web site: Syrian Civil War factions.
  45. Web site: شبكة بلدي الإعلامية فيلق الشام ينهي عمل الفوج 111 والجيش الثاني يفصل أحد قادته . www.baladi-news.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190108100801/https://www.baladi-news.com/ar/news/details/39884/ . 2019-01-08.
  46. Web site: Brigade North are free to announce joining the Sham Corps. Qasioun News Agency. 16 June 2017. 17 June 2017. 19 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170619072416/http://qasioun.net/ar/news/show/75737/%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A1_%D8%A3%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B1_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84_%D9%8A%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%86_%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B6%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%87_%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89_%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%82_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%85. dead.
  47. Web site: Syrian War Daily – 21st of June 2017. Joško. Barić. 21 June 2017.
  48. QalaatAlMudiq. 1003688027107962880. 4 June 2018. Syria: FSA Shuhada Islam Brigade from Daraya officially merged with Faylaq Sham, part of National Liberation Front (#NLF)..
  49. Web site: About Islam Martyrs Brigade. Local Council of Daraya City.

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