Revolutionary Commando Army Explained

Syrian Free Army
Native Name:ar|جيش مغاوير الثورة
Native Name Lang:ar
War:Syrian Civil War
Ideology:Syrian opposition
Active:May 2015 – Dec 2016 (New Syrian Army)Dec 2016 — Nov 2022 (Maghaweir Al-Thowra)Nov 2022 — present (Syrian Free Army)
Leaders:
  • Salem Turki al-Antri (since February 2024)[1]
  • Muhammad Farid al-Qasim (until February 2024)[2]
  • Muhammad Ahmad[3] (until September 2022)
  • Captain Abdullah al-Zoubi[4]
    (since December 2016, MaT)
  • Bara Fares[5]
    (media spokesperson)
  • Muhammad Jarrah
    (spokesman)
  • Khazal al-Sarhan[6]
    (until December 2016, NSYA)
  • Mozahem al-Saloum[7]
    (spokesperson, former, NSYA)
Clans:
  • Ghosts of the Desert[8]
  • Allahu Akbar Brigade
Area:Homs Governorate, Rif Dimashq Governorate, and Deir ez-Zor Governorate, Syria
Anbar Governorate, Iraq
Headquarters:Al-Tanf
Size:
  • 120 (2015)
  • 300 (2016)[9] [10] [11]
  • 40–60 (November 2017)
  • 300 (October 2018)
  • 500 (2023) [12]
Partof: Free Syrian Army
Authenticity and Development Front (until August 2016)
Predecessor:Allahu Akbar Brigade (Authenticity and Development Front)
Allies: Southern Front[13]

United States
United Kingdom[15]
Norway (until 2018)[16]
Jordan (until 2018)

Opponents:[17]
Syrian Armed Forces
Islamic Resistance in Iraq
Battles:Syrian Civil War

2023 American–Middle East conflict

Status:Active

The Syrian Free Army (SFA), also known as the New Syrian Army (NSA), or Revolutionary Commando Army, is a Syrian opposition faction which controls territory near Syria's border with Iraq and Jordan. It has been trained by the United States Army and hosted at al-Tanf.[18] [19]

Founded as an expansion of the Allahu Akbar Brigade by Syrian Arab Army defectors and other rebels during the Syrian Civil War on 20 May 2015, the New Syrian Army sought to expel the Islamic State from southeastern Syria. In December 2016, the New Syrian Army dissolved, and the remnants of the group formed Maghawir al-Thawra.[20] In 2022 it rebranded as the Syrian Free Army following disputes between different factions of its leadership.

History

The New Syrian Army was established by remnants of the Allahu Akbar Brigade, part of the Authenticity and Development Front and formerly based in Abu Kamal.[21] [22] The NSA was formed on 20 May 2015, and its fighters were trained in Jordan.[3]

On 16 November 2015, the New Syrian Army was deployed at al-Tanf in southeastern Syria, near Iraq and Jordan, and carried out a raid, with or without US aerial support. No further information was given.[23]

On 5 March 2016, the NSA and another FSA group, the Forces of Martyr Ahmad al-Abdo, captured the al-Tanf border crossing from ISIL in a cross-border raid from Jordan.[24]

In May 2016, an Islamic State suicide attack struck an NSA base near al-Tanf, which resulted in a large number of casualties. The attack brought to the surface underlying tensions and a lack of morale within the group, whose members alleged that the US failed to provide them with the equipment promised.[25]

In June 2016, the NSA's base near al-Tanf was hit by multiple cluster bombs from Russian airstrikes, killing 2 and injuring 18.[26] Russia denied responsibility for the airstrike, although photos released by the NSA identified the bombs as Russian RBK-500 cluster bombs which were delivered from Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia.[27]

Later in June, the group launched an offensive against ISIL in Abu Kamal. The offensive was repelled by ISIL.[28]

On 3 August 2016, the New Syrian Army was expelled from the Authenticity and Development Front.[29]

Ghosts of the Desert

The Ghosts of the Desert was an NSA-affiliated anti-ISIL insurgent group that covertly operated in ISIL-held towns in southeastern Syria and southwestern Iraq such as Abu Kamal, Mayadin, and al-Qaim. Since March 2016, they initially sprayed graffiti and raised Syrian and Iraqi flags in the towns, but began to conduct covert military activities the next month, such as sabotage, assassinations of ISIL fighters, and marking positions for airstrikes. The group supplied military intelligence to the US Air Force that allowed them to kill Abu Waheeb in May 2016 in the Iraqi town of Rutbah after the group marked his location.[8] In December 2016, the New Syrian Army dissolved after internal disputes. Some of its remnants regrouped under the name of the Maghawir al-Thawra (Commandos of the Revolution), led by Captain Abdullah al-Zoubi.[4]

On 30 April 2017, the Maghawir al-Thawra launched an offensive into eastern Syria, reaching the Deir ez-Zor Governorate and capturing the village of Humaymah, south of the T2 pumping station.[30] [31] Two days later, the rebels attacked and captured several sites in the region, including: Tarwazeh al-Wa`er, Sereit al-Wa`er, Mount Ghrab, Swab desert, al-Kamm Swab, the T3 Pumping Station, Me`izeileh and Tarwazeh al-Attshaneh.[32] On 6 May, FSA groups including the MaT captured several sites in the Badiya region of Homs Governorate to the south of Palmyra including Dahlouz and al-Halbeh areas.[33] The MaT was supplied with IAG Guardian armoured personnel carriers by the US during the operation.[34]

In late November 2017, at least 180 fighters in the Maghawir al-Thawra were relieved of duty. According to the United States Central Command, the fighters "completed their military service", while according to the group's spokesman, they were removed due to their "weak performance". As result, between 40 and 60 fighters were left in the group.[35] The unit increased in numbers after that point, with 300 fighters serving with the Maghawir al-Thawra by October 2018.[36]

In 2021, reports emerged that several explosions took place in al-Tanf. The Maghawair al-Thawra stated that they came from training exercises that it was conducting in the region.[37] On 20 October 2021, the Maghaweir al-Thawra, other Opposition elements at al-Tanf, and the US garrison there were attacked by drones, causing no injuries.[38]

On 23 September 2022, the US-led coalition dismissed Maghawir al-Thawra's commander Brigadier General Muhannad Ahmad and replaced him with Captain Muhammad Farid, a former leader of the Qaryatayn Martyrs' Brigade. This caused a group of MaT leaders styling themselves as the military council of MaT to reject the new leader and seize control of part of the al-Tanf base, leading to a brief siege in which the military council was confronted by the main MaT group and US forces, submitting to the new leadership soon after.[2] Following another meeting with US forces, the group changed its name to the Syrian Free Army on 23 October 2022.[18]

On 29 February 2024, the Syrian Free Army announced the appointment of Salem Turki al-Antri as their new leader, replacing Muhammad Farid al-Qasim. The announcement was made through a statement and photos on the group's official website at the U.S.-operated al-Tanf military base in eastern Homs Governorate. The group expressed excitement about the new opportunities al-Antri's leadership will provide.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Syrian Free Army appoints new leader in Syria’s al-Tanf base. North Press Agency. Saad al-Yaziji. 29 February 2024. 1 December 2024.
  2. Web site: US-backed Maghawir al-Thawra commander replaced, amid internal disagreements and corruption allegations. Syria Direct. Walid Al Nofal. 5 October 2022. 5 October 2022. 5 October 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221005175552/https://syriadirect.org/us-backed-maghawir-al-thawra-commander-dismissed-amid-internal-disagreements-and-corruption-allegations. live.
  3. Web site: Syrian rebel commander: 150 US troops at al-Tanf base. Al-Monitor. Muhammad Ersan. 1 June 2017. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170612084048/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2017/06/syria-desert-tanf-us-backed-rebel-group.html. 12 June 2017.
  4. Web site: "The new Syrian Army" new look .. "commando revolution," the formation of US support to fight state regulation in Homs. Shaam Network. 22 December 2016. 27 December 2016. 11 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181011103926/http://www.shaam.org/news/syria-news/%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D8%AD%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A9-%E2%80%9C%D9%85%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A9%E2%80%9D-%D8%AA%D8%B4%D9%83%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%A8%D8%AF%D8%B9%D9%85-%D8%A3%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%B8%D9%8A%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%B5.html. live.
  5. Web site: "Commando revolution" is preparing to cover the battle of Abu Kamal coalition. Arabi 21. Muhammad Hourani. 25 May 2017. 26 May 2017. 9 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171009222621/https://arabi21.com/story/1009418/%D9%85%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%8A%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%88%D9%83%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A8%D8%BA%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81. live.
  6. Web site: New Syrian Army will 'liberate eastern Syria' from IS. The New Arab. 12 March 2016. 4 August 2016. 19 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171019202629/https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/indepth/2016/3/12/new-syrian-army-will-liberate-eastern-syria-from-is. live.
  7. Web site: What is the truth Revolution Army commando attack on the regime in the Syrian desert?. Qasioun News Agency. 26 May 2017. 26 May 2017. 27 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210227013649/http://www.qasioun.net/ar/news/show/69867/%D9%85%D8%A7_%D8%AD%D9%82%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%A9_%D9%87%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%85_%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4_%D9%85%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%B1_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A9_%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89_%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85_%D9%81%D9%8A_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9. dead.
  8. Web site: THE GHOSTS OF THE DESERT: FIGHTING ISIS FROM WITHIN. Conflict News. 12 August 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160815042610/http://www.conflict-news.com/articles/the-ghosts-of-the-desert-fighting-isis-from-within. 15 August 2016.
  9. Web site: U.S.-backed rebels launched their first attack against Islamic State. They lost.. Los Angeles. Times. Los Angeles Times. 29 June 2016. 15 February 2017. 24 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160824120749/http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-us-rebels-20160629-snap-story.html. live.
  10. News: They Rescued This Town from ISIS, Then Lost It. Michael. Weiss. The Daily Beast. 1 July 2016. 15 February 2017. 15 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170315032459/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/07/01/they-rescued-this-town-from-isis-then-lost-it.html. live.
  11. Cody Roche Syrian Opposition Factions in the Syrian Civil War, Bellingcat, 13 August 2016
  12. Web site: Syrian-Jordanian-Iraqi junction . The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights . 1 June 2023 . 2 June 2023 . 2 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230602121837/https://www.syriahr.com/en/300460/ . live .
  13. Web site: The New Syrian Army: America's "Tip of the Spear" Against ISIS in the Syrian Desert. Rao Komar. 31 May 2016. 27 December 2016. 27 December 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161227131120/https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2016/05/31/new-syrian-army-americas-tip-spear-isis-syrian-desert/. dead.
  14. Web site: Russian air strikes kill Syrian refugees on Jordan border: Rebels. Middle East Eye. 13 July 2016. 27 December 2016. 27 December 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161227130944/http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/air-strikes-kill-least-3-syrian-refugees-jordanian-border-iran-russia-rebels-rukban-tanf-coalition-amman-588493312. live.
  15. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/06/british-special-forces-operating-inside-syria-alongside-rebels/ British special forces 'operating inside Syria alongside rebels'
  16. News: Holder tett om støtte. Klassekampen. no. 16 June 2018. 16 June 2018. 27 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190327102453/https://www.klassekampen.no/article/20180616/ARTICLE/180619939. live.
  17. Web site: Syria's New Army. https://archive.today/20160311205338/http://www.bbc.co.uk/monitoring/syrias-new-army. dead. 11 March 2016. BBC. 10 November 2015. 17 November 2015.
  18. Web site: 23 October 2022 . New decision - Maghaweer Al-Thawrah to change faction's name to "Free Syria" army . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221026002751/https://www.syriahr.com/en/272970/ . 26 October 2022 . 26 October 2022 . Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
  19. Web site: Kelly . Fergus . 2017-09-29 . US-led Coalition: MaT still a vetted Syrian force, remains at At Tanf . 2024-12-01 . The Defense Post . en-US.
  20. Web site: "Revolution Commando" New Military Formation to fight IS group of Palmyra. El-Dorar al-Shamia. 27 December 2016. 6 May 2017. 3 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170603012849/http://en.eldorar.com/node/4166. dead.
  21. Web site: Department of Defense Press Briefing by Colonel Garver via teleconfere. United States Department of Defense. 29 June 2016. 22 May 2017. 1 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170301022856/https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/820641/department-of-defense-press-briefing-by-colonel-garver-via-teleconference. live.
  22. Web site: Syrian Opposition Factions in the Syrian Civil War - bellingcat. 13 August 2016. Bellingcat. 22 May 2017. 9 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220409073932/https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2016/08/13/syrian-opposition-factions-in-the-syrian-civil-war/. live.
  23. Web site: New U.S.-backed offensive in northern Syria advances on ISIS outposts. McClatchy DC. 17 November 2015. 22 November 2015. 23 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190523061409/https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/world/article45269595.html. live.
  24. News: Syria Rebels take border crossing from IS. Associated Press. 5 March 2016. 9 March 2016. 9 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160309134628/http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-syria-rebels-take-border-crossing-from-is-2016-3. live.
  25. News: The last remaining Pentagon-trained rebel group in Syria is now in jeopardy. 27 May 2016. Washington Post. 2016-08-08. 2019-05-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20190506084714/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/the-last-remaining-pentagon-trained-rebel-group-in-syria-is-now-in-jeopardy/2016/05/27/91de194a-1c5f-11e6-82c2-a7dcb313287d_story.html. live.
  26. News: Russian warplanes bomb elite British-backed Syrian rebels. The Telegraph. 17 June 2016. subscription. Loveluck. Louisa. Ensor. Josie. 4 April 2018. 27 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171227191521/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/17/russian-warplanes-bomb-elite-british-backed-syrian-rebels/. live.
  27. Web site: The al-Tanf Bombing: How Russia Assisted ISIS by Attacking an American Backed FSA Group with Cluster Bombs. Bellingcat. 21 June 2016. 8 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161008185930/https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2016/06/21/al-tanf-bombing-russia-assisted-isis-attacking-us-backed-fsa-group-cluster-bombs/. 8 October 2016. dead. dmy-all.
  28. Web site: US Backed New Syrian Army Suffers Crippling Defeat. Conflict-news.com. 2016-08-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20160813082524/http://www.conflict-news.com/articles/us-backed-new-syrian-army-suffers-crippling-defeat. 2016-08-13. dead.
  29. Web site: Syria rebel coalition cuts ties with US-backed group. NOW. 4 August 2016. 6 August 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160805171556/https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567253-syria-rebel-coalition-cuts-ties-with-us-backed-group. 5 August 2016.
  30. Web site: جيش مغاوير الثورة لـ "قاسيون": سيطرنا على حميمة ونستعد لدخول دير الزور. Qasioun News Agency. 30 April 2017. ar. 22 May 2017. 4 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170504121236/http://www.qasioun.net/ar/news/show/64196/%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4_%D9%85%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%B1_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A9_%D9%84%D9%80_%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86_%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%A7_%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89_%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%85%D8%A9_%D9%88%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%AF_%D9%84%D8%AF%D8%AE%D9%88%D9%84_%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%B1_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%88%D8%B1. dead.
  31. Web site: المعارضة مدعومة من التحالف الدولي تسيطر على بلدة حميمة بريف دير الزور الجنوبي. Ittihad Press. 30 April 2017. ar. 19 March 2021. 8 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190308020842/http://aletihadpress.com/2017/04/30/%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%b9%d8%a7%d8%b1%d8%b6%d8%a9-%d9%85%d8%af%d8%b9%d9%88%d9%85%d8%a9-%d9%85%d9%86-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%aa%d8%ad%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%81-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%af%d9%88%d9%84%d9%8a-%d8%aa%d8%b3%d9%8a/. dead.
  32. Web site: US-backed militants advance deep inside ISIS-controlled Syrian desert. Ivan. Yakovlev. Al-Masdar News. 2 May 2017. 2 May 2017. 15 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170515104741/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/us-backed-militants-advance-deep-inside-isis-controlled-syrian-desert/. dead.
  33. Web site: Video footage of FSA troops advancing 70km south of Palmyra. Fadel. Leith. Al-Masdar News. 6 May 2017. 22 May 2017. 21 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170521233446/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/video-footage-fsa-troops-advancing-70km-south-palmyra/. dead.
  34. Web site: Southern factions receive US military vehicles. Al Etihad Press. 10 May 2017. 10 May 2017. 13 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170513052117/http://aletihadpress.com/2017/05/10/%D9%81%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A8-%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%84%D9%85-%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83. dead.
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  36. Web site: Inside the remote U.S. base in Syria central to combating ISIS and countering Iran. Kube, Courtney. NBC News. 22 October 2018. 26 November 2018. 26 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181126080036/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/inside-remote-u-s-base-syria-central-combating-isis-countering-n922991. live.
  37. Web site: Explosions heard near Syria-Iraq border, rebels deny blasts in US base. 2022-01-04. The Jerusalem Post JPost.com. 5 December 2021 . en-US. 2022-01-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20220104021248/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/explosions-heard-inside-us-military-base-on-syria-iraq-border-687876. live.
  38. Web site: Attack hits Syria base that houses U.S. troops; no U.S. injuries. 2022-02-17. NBC News. 21 October 2021. en. 2022-02-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20220217043349/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/attack-hits-syria-base-houses-us-troops-no-us-injuries-rcna3466. live.

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