Syrian Opposition Guide

Jennifer Cafarella and Genevieve Casagrande
BACKGROUNDER
October 7, 2015
SYRIAN OPPOSITION GUIDE

This reference guide provides a baseline for identifying Syrian opposition groups. The guide aims to permit researchers to track how groups
realign as the Russians commence operations. It seeks to inform the development of policies that aim to protect Syrian rebels willing to
cooperate with the U.S. in order to defeat ISIS and marginalize al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra.
The chart characterizes each groups relative strength, its areas of operation, its participation in multi-group operations, and its sources
of external financing (derived from other experts studies). The document carefully identifies those groups that are separable from Jabhat
al-Nusra, drawing a sharp distinction between the al-Qaeda affiliates subcomponents and those groups that have a more transactional
relationship. Whereas the Russian military actions will likely drive these groups together, diminishing the influence of al-Qaeda actually
requires breaking the groups apart. Targeting rebel groups writ large through military strikes is therefore counterproductive and will lead to
entrenchment of al-Qaeda in Syria.
RUSSIA'S IMPACT ON THE OPPOSITION
Russian air operations in Syria impose new pressures on Syrian rebel groups on the ground. Although the
Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claimed that Russian airstrikes focused on ISIS, local reports and the
U.S. official statement indicate that the strikes have primarily targeted Syrian opposition groups in areas far
from core ISIS-held terrain. Free Syrian Army (FSA)-affiliated rebel groups that receive support from the
U.S. are among those that Russian warplanes have hit.
As Russian airstrikes intensify, Syrian opposition factions will likely seek the protection of a strong partner
in the fight against the regime and its allies. The majority of the groups that may seek protection already
cooperate militarily with Syrian al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra out of necessity, and this trend is likely to
increase as rebels come under greater duress. The pressure of a reinvigorated air campaign in support of the
Syrian regime may drive these groups closer to Jabhat al-Nusra and potentially hardline Islamist Ahrar alSham in the absence of alternative sources of robust military assistance from countries opposed to Syrian
President Bashar al-Assad. In fact, between October 2 and October 4, two rebel groups merged separately
under Jabhat al-Nusra and Ahrar al-Sham in Hama and Aleppo provinces respectively. This trend damages
not only the U.S. anti-ISIS mission, but also the implicit mission to counter al-Qaedas influence in Syria.
It is therefore vital to observe changes in the behaviors and affiliations of Syrian rebels in response to
ground events.
RELATIONSHIP TO JABHAT AL-NUSRA
This guide also provides an assessment of rebel groups relationship to Syrian al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat alNusra. Groups that conduct military operations with Jabhat al-Nusra do not necessarily share its vision,
end-state, or values. Many rebel groups cooperate out of military necessity, because Jabhat al-Nusra one of
the most capable groups on the battlefield. The relationship between each group and Jabhat al-Nusra has
been designated through the following definitions:
Component of Jabhat al-Nusra: Groups that have merged under Jabhat al-Nusra, or groups that ISW assesses to be
a sub-unit of Jabhat al-Nusra
Allied: Rebel groups that share interim objectives with Jabhat al-Nusra in Syria in the near term; groups
that are close ideological allies to Jabhat al-Nusra; and groups that are ideologically opposed to the Western
countries influence in Syria or to the vision of Western secularism
WWW.UNDERSTANDINGWAR.ORG
BACKGROUNDER | SY RI A N OPPOSITION GUIDE | JENNIFER CA FA RELL A A ND GENEV IEV E CASAGR A NDE | OCTOBER 7, 2015
Separable from Jabhat al-Nusra: Rebel groups that

formally coordinate military operations with Jabhat
al-Nusra among many other groups through joint
military commands, largely out of military necessity.
This also includes groups that participate in
governance structures that also contain elements of
Jabhat al-Nusra.
Independent: These rebel groups currently do not
share interim or long term objectives and do not
formally coordinate military operations with Jabhat
al-Nusra through joint military commands.
IDENTIFYING OUTSIDE FUNDING
The following charts also reflect assessments of
the sources of outside funding for each group
as provided by the Carter Center1 and Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace2 from
September 2014 February 2015. There are three
major sources of funding:
Joint Military Operations Command (MOC)
Two covert joint military operations commands
(MOC) based in Turkey and Jordan reportedly
provide funding and lethal aid to moderate and
nationalist Islamist groups in northern and
southern Syria. Members of both the Northern and
Southern MOCs reportedly provide military
assistance including TOW anti-tank missiles to a
select set of Syrian rebel groups.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia provides direct support to Salafist and
Islamist groups across all of Western Syria.
Turkey and Qatar
Turkey and Qatar support nationalist Syrian rebel
groups, including Salafist and Islamist groups.
The Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, currently based
in Turkey, facilitates the provision of money and
weapons provided by Turkey and Qatar to Syrian
armed opposition groups based in northern Syria.
IDENTIFYING POWERBROKERS
The following charts indicates assessed
powerbrokers in Syria in addition to groups that
could become
powerbrokers in the near term upon the receipt

of sufficient outside support. These groups could provide
a counter-weight to Jabhat al-Nusra, although the Russian
military operations reduce the likelihood that they will be
willing or able to split from the al-Qaeda affiliate.
Powerbroker: a group that disproportionately determines the
success of military operations against either the Syrian
regime or ISIS; is strategically located; and/or plays a
leading role in governance.
Potential Powerbroker: a group that could achieve significant
battlefield effects against Jabhat al-Nusra and/or ISIS in
western Syria upon receipt of increased outside support,
including securing direct military gains and cohering
other smaller brigades into new coalitions.
OPERATIONS ROOMS
The following charts organize opposition groups by their
participation in operations rooms, in order to achieve
particular, defined objectives. Operation rooms are joint
structures limited to a particular geographical area, but
they do not always maintain a physical headquarters.
Syrian opposition groups join operations rooms in
order to coordinate their military campaigns jointly in an
area without merging, thus preserving their status as
separate fighting forces. Each operations room is typically
launched with an announcement conveying a specific,
stated objective and a list of groups that have joined.
ENDNOTES
1. Syria: Countrywide Conflict Report No. 5, The Carter
Center, February 2015, http://www.cartercenter.org/
resources/pdfs/peace/conflict_resolution/syria-conflict/
NationwideUpdate-Feb-28-2015.pdf. Syria: Countrywide
Conflict Report No. 4, The Carter Center, September 11,
2014, http://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/
conflict_resolution/syria-conflict/NationwideUpdateSept-18-2014.pdf.
2. Aron Lund, The Revolutionary Command Council: Rebel
Unity in Syria? The Carnegie Endowment for International
Peace, December 1, 2014, http://carnegieendowment.org/
syriaincrisis/?fa=57350. Aron Lund, The Levant Front:
Can Aleppos Rebels Unite? The Carnegie Endowment
for International Peace, December 26, 2014, http://
carnegieendowment.org/syriaincrisis/?fa=57605.
Layout by Casey Jaquez
List of Military Operations Rooms Included In This Document

Operations
Room
Anti
Regime
Anti
ISIS
Powerbroker
Potential
Power
Broker
Declared Objectives
Aleppo Province
Aleppo
Conquest
Ansar alSharia
Euphrates
Volcano
To liberate Aleppo City from the Syrian regime
X
X
To seize Aleppo City from the Syrian regime and to develop a joint charter to
administer the city under Sharia law
To fight against the injustice of ISIS and other Islamist and Kurdish factions
Idlib Province
Jaysh alFatah Idlib
Battle of
Victory
To liberate Idlib Province from the Syrian regime

X
To seize Jisr al-Shughour City from the Syrian regime
Hama Province
Jaysh alFatah-Idlib
Jaysh alNasr
To seize the Sahel al-Ghab plain of northern Hama from the Syrian regime
X
To defend the Syrian people and liberate Syria from the Syrian regime
Homs Province
Victory of
the Oppressed
To defeat the Syrian regime in Homs Province while supporting the local civilian
population
Eastern
Ghouta
Unified
Command
One Flag
Alliance
To overthrow the Syrian regime in Damascus and its countryside
Jaysh alFatah Qalamoun
To liberate the Qalamoun region from Syrian regime and Hezbollah forces
Gathering
of Western
Qalamoun
Eastern
Qalamoun
Operations
Room
Jaysh alHarmoun
Jaysh alFatah alJanoub
Southern
Front
Damascus Province
X
To break the siege on the Eastern Ghouta suburbs of Damascus, set up a unified
legal body, and create an authority for strategic issues in Ghouta
To fight the Syrian regime and Hezbollah
To overthrow the Syrian regime and fight ISIS
Deraa & Quneitra Province

To eliminate the Syrian regime southwest of Damascus
X
To liberate the Western Ghouta suburbs of Damascus
To liberate Syria from tyranny and extremism and to defend the right of the
Syrian people to choose a representative government
ALEPPO
REBEL GROUPS INDEX
Liwa al-Haqq (Idlib, Hama)
101st Infantry Division (Idlib)
Liwa al-Houriya al-Islami (Idlib)
111st Infantry Division (Idlib, Hama)
Liwa al-Jihad fi Sabeel Allah
13th Division (Idlib)
Liwa al-Sultan Muhammad al-Fatih
16th Division
Liwa Amna ar-Raqqa
60th Infantry Division (Idlib)
Liwa Ansar al-Khilafa
Abu Amara Brigades
Liwa Ansar al-Sunna
Ahrar al-Sham (Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deraa

& Quneitra)
Liwa Fursan al-Haqq (Idlib)
Al-Izza Gathering (Hama, Idlib)
Liwa Shuhada al-Atarib

Liwa al-Sultan Murad
Al-Nakhba Forces
Liwa Thuwar ar-Raqqa
Caucasus Emirate in al-Sham (Latakia)
Nour al-Din al-Zenki
Fajr al-Khilafa Brigades
Saraya Jarablus
Fajr al-Sham Islamic Movement
Sham Legion (Idlib, Hama)
First Regiment
Siraya al-Maad
Fistaqim Kama Umirat
Suqour al-Ghab (Idlib, Hama)
Furqan Brigades (Damascus, Deraa & Quneitra)
Suqour al-Jabal (Idlib, Hama)
Harakat al-Thahur Baryis
Tahrir Brigade
Harakat Biyan
Thuwar al-Sham Brigades
Harakat Mujahidi al-Islam

Jabhat al-Nusra (Idlib, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deraa &
Quneitra)
Peoples Protection Units (YPG)
Jabhat Ansar al-Din (Idlib)
IDLIB
Jamaat
101st Infantry Division (Aleppo)
Jaysh al-Sunna (Idlib, Hama)
111th Infantry Division (Aleppo, Hama)
Jaysh al-Islam (Idlib, Latakia, Damascus)
13th Division (Aleppo)
Jaysh al-Mujahideen (Latakia)
Ahrar al-Sham (Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deraa &

Queneitra)
Jaysh al-Qasas
Jaysh al-Thuwar (Idlib, Latakia, Homs, Hama)
4
(CLICK ABLE LINKS)
Jund al-Aqsa (Idlib, Latakia, Hama)
Ajnad al-Sham (Hama, Damascus, Deraa & Queneitra)

Fursan al-Haqq
Jund Allah
Jabhat al-Nusra (Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deraa &

Quneitra)
Katibat al-Tawhid wal-Jihad (Idlib)
Jabhat Ansar al-Din (Aleppo)
Kitaib al-Safwat al-Islamiya
Jamaat Ahadun Ahad (Latakia)
Kitaib Shams al-Shamal
Jamaat Ansar al-Islam (Latakia)
Kitaba al-Suhaba
Jaysh al-Islam (Aleppo, Latakia, Damascus)
Levant Front
Jaysh al-Sunna (Aleppo)
Liwa al-Fateh
Jaysh al-Thuwar (Aleppo, Latakia, Homs, Hama)

Jund al-Aqsa (Aleppo, Latakia, Hama)
Liwa al-Adiyat (Latakia)
Junud al-Sham (Latakia)
Liwa al-Haqq (Hama, Aleppo)
Kataib Ansar al-Sham (Latakia)
Liwa al-Inqath al-Muqatila
Katiba al-Tawhid wal Jihad (Aleppo)
Sham Legion (Aleppo, Idlib)
Liwa al-Haqq (Aleppo, Hama)
Suqour al-Ghab (Aleppo, Idlib)
Liwa al-Houriya al-Islami (Aleppo)
Suqour al-Jabal (Aleppo, Idlib)
Sham Legion (Aleppo, Hama)

Suqour al-Ghab (Aleppo, Hama)
HOMS
Suqour al-Jabal (Aleppo, Hama)
Ahrar al-Sham (Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Damascus, Deraa

& Queneitra)
Turkistan Islamic Party (Latakia)
Ajnad Homs
LATAKIA
Jabhat al-Nusra (Aleppo, Idlib, Hama, Damascus, Deraa &

Quneitra)
Ahrar al-Sham (Aleppo, Idlib, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deraa &

Quneitra)
Jaysh Ahl al-Sunna wal-Jamaa
Caucasus Emirate in al-Sham (Aleppo)
Jaysh al-Thuwar (Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama)
First Coastal Division
Tahrir Homs
Jaysh al-Tawhid
Jabhat Ansar al-Din (Idlib)

Jamaat Ahadun Ahad (Idlib)
DAMASCUS
Jamaat Ansar al-Islam (Idlib)
11 Division Special Forces
Jaysh al-Islam (Aleppo, Idlib, Damascus, Deraa & Quneitra)
Abu Obaida Battalion
Jaysh al-Mujahideen (Aleppo)
Ahrar al-Qalamoun Battalions
Jaysh al-Thuwar (Aleppo, Idlib, Homs, Hama)

Jund al-Aqsa (Aleppo, Idlib, Hama)
Ahrar al-Sham (Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Deraa &

Quneitra)
Junud al-Sham (Idlib)
Ajnad al-Sham (Idlib, Hama, Deraa & Quneitra)
Kataib Ansar al-Sham
Al-Sarkha Battalions
Liwa al-Adiyat (Hama)
Asoud al-Sunna Battalions
Turkistan Islamic Party (Idlib)
Originality and Development Front (Aleppo)

Battalion 215
HAMA
Damascus Martyrs Brigade (Deraa & Quneitra)
111th Infantry Division (Idlib)
Friends of the Prophet Mohammad Battalion
Ahrar al-Sham (Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Homs, Damascus, Deraa &

Quneitra)
Furqan Brigades (Aleppo, Deraa & Quneitra)
Ajnad al-Sham (Idlib, Damascus, Deraa & Quneitra)
Hamad Brigade
Al-Izza Gathering (Aleppo, Idlib)
Hawsh Arab Martyrs Gathering
Jabhat al-Nusra (Aleppo, Idlib, Homs, Damascus, Deraa & Quneitra)
Ilwiya wa Kitaib al-Sahaba (Deraa & Quneitra)
Jabhat al-Sham
Jabhat al-Nusra (Aleppo, Idlib, Homs, Homa, Deraa & Quneitra)
Jaysh al-Sunna (Idlib)
Jabhat Ansar al-Islam (Deraa & Quenitra)
Jund al-Aqsa (Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia)
Jaysh al-Ababil (Deraa & Quenitra)
Fursan al-Sunna Battalion (Deraa & Quneitra)
Jaysh al-Islam (Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Deraa & Quneitra)
Ansar al-Huda Gathering
Jaysh al-Qalamoun
Ansar al-Sunnah
Jaysh Tahirir al-Sham
Damascus Martyrs Brigade (Damascus)
Kataib al-Ansar
Fajr al-Islam Division
Katiba al-Mutahabeen Billah
Fajr al-Tawhid Division
Katiba Shaid Mamoud Murad
Fallujah Houran Division
Katiba Shuhada al-Nabek
First Army
Katiba Shuhada al-Sarkha
First Artillery Regiment
Katiba Yousef al-Sadiq
First Brigade
Kitaib Aknaf Beit al-Maqdis (Deraa & Quneitra)
First Corps
Liwa Ahrar Hafir
Firqat Usoud al-Sunnah
Liwa al-Izz
Furqan Brigades (Aleppo, Damascus)
Liwa Muatasim Billah (Deraa & Quneitra)
Fursan al-Sunna Battalion (Damascus)
Liwa Rijal Allah
Hamza Division
Liwa Seif al-Haq
Harakat Muthanna al-Islamiya
Liwa Suqour al-Qalamoun
Harakat Shuhada al-Sham al-Islamiya
Liwa Suqour al-Umawayeen
Ilwiya wa Kitaib al-Sahaba (Damascus)
Liwa Tahrir al-Qalamoun
Jabhat al-Nusra (Aleppo, Idlib, Hama, Homs, Damascus)
Liwa Tawhid al-Asima (Deraa & Quneitra)
Jabhat al-Sham al-Muwahida
Liwa Thura al-Shaab
Jabhat Ansar al-Islam (Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia Damascus)
Martyr Lieutenant Ahmed Abdou Brigades
Jaysh al-Ababil (Deraa & Quenitra)
Marwan Hadid Briagde
Jaysh al-Islam (Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Damascus)
Men of Qalamoun Battalion
Jaysh al-Yarmouk
Rahman Corps
Katibat Aswad al-Aqsad
Saif al-Islam Battalion
Katibat Fadayeen Houran
Sheild of Qalamoun Brigade
Kitaib Aknaf Beit al-Maqdis (Damascus)

Liwa Ahaya al-Jihad
DERAA & QUNEITRA
Liwa Ahrar Inkhil
24th Infantry Division
Liwa Ahsaar al-Lajat
69th Special Forces Division
Liwa al-Itisam Billah
Abu Obaida Battalion
Liwa al-Mughawir al-Awli
Ahrar al-Sham (Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus)
Liwa al-Sayyid al-Messiyah
Ahrar Nawa Division
Liwa al-Shahid al-Aqeed Ahmed al-Omar
Ajnad al-Sham (Idlib, Hama, Damascus)
Liwa al-Umarayn al-Islami
Al-Sarkha Battalions (Damascus)
Liwa Amoud Houran
Alwiyat al-Omari
Liwa Ansar al-Haqq

Liwa Fursan Houran

Liwa Jaydour Houran
Liwa Jebel al-Sheikh
Liwa Khayalat al-Zaydi
Liwa Muataz Billah
Liwa Muatasim Billah (Damascus)
Liwa Muhajireen wal-Ansar
Liwa Omar bin al-Khatab
Liwa Osama bin Zaid
Liwa Shabab al-Sunnah
Liwa Shuhada al-Islam
Liwa Shuhada Houran
Liwa Tawhid al-Asima (Damascus)
Liwa Tawhid al-Janub
Liwa Usoud al-Tawhid
Liwa Tawhid Kitaib Houran
March 18 Division
Martyr Lieutenant Ahmed Abdou Brigades (Damascus)
Mashrou Benaa Umma
Salah al-Din Division
Seif al-Sham Brigades
Shahid Raed al-Masri
Siyad al-Usoud Battalion
Syrian Revolutionaries Front - Southern Sector
Tahalaf Suqour al-Janoub
Tajamu al-Mujahideen Nawa
Usoud al-Harb Operations Room
Backgrounder | Syrian Opposition Guide | Jennifer Cafarella and Genevieve Casagrande | October 7, 2015
Aleppo
Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components
of group
CrossProvince
Aleppo
Conquest
Powerbroker
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
X
Jama'at
Jabhat al-Nusra subunit
Fajr alKhilafa
Brigades
Also active in Ansar al-Sharia

Operations Room
Ahrar alSham
Turkey & Saudi

Arabia
Abu Amara
Brigades

Operations Room
Operations Room
Harakat
Mujahidi alIslam

Operations Room
Harakat Bayarik
al-Islam
Jaysh alSunna
Allied
Separable from Jabhat Al-Nusra
Also active in Idlib and Hama
Independent
Component of Jabhat al-Nusra
Aleppo (cont.)
Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components
of group
Jaysh alMujahideen
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
Northern MOC;
Qatar
Also active in Latakia
Fistaqim
Kama
Umirat
Jaysh alIslam
Saudi Arabia
Levant Front
Turkey & Qatar
Islamic FrontAleppo
Levant Front absorbed

Harakat Hazm fighters after the
group, which received U.S.
support, disbanded in Feb 2015
Turkey & Qatar

Formerly component of Abu
Amara brigades
Katiba al-Assir
Allied
Independent
Aleppo (cont.)
Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components
of group
Originality
and
Development
Front
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Potential
Powerbroker
First
Regiment
Financed by
Saudi Arabia
Subunits receive support from a
variety of actors, to include
Qatar, Turkey, and the northern
MOC
Operations Room
Sham Legion
Turkey & Qatar
Liwa alSultan
Murad
16th Division
Notes
Northern MOC

Operations Room
Allied
Independent
10
Aleppo (cont.)
Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components of
group
Furqan
Brigades
Liwa alHaqq
Liwa Ansar
al-Khilafa
Nour alDin alZenki
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Damascus-based. Exact
contributions unknown
X
X
Based in Idlib
Also in Ansar al-Sharia
Operations Room
X
Northern MOC
Harakat al-Zahir
Baybars
Liwa
Fursan alHaqq
101st
Infantry
Division
Suqour alJabal
13th
Division
Suqour alGhab
Al-Izza
Gathering
Unknown group
Northern MOC
& Qatar
Allied
Notes
Northern MOC
Northern MOC
Northern MOC
Northern MOC
Northern MOC
Independent
Also active in Idlib

Also active in Hama and Idlib
11
Aleppo (cont.)
Operations
Room
Local
components
of group
Rebel
Group
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Potential
Powerbroker
Liwa Ansar
al-Sunna
Financed by
Notes
Northern MOC
Thuwar alSham
Brigades
Liwa alFateh
Liwa alSultan
Muhammad
al-Fatih
111st Infantry
Division
Based in Idlib and Hama
al-Nakhba
Forces
Allied
Independent
12
Aleppo (cont.)
Kita'ib alSafwat alIslamiya
Harakat
Biyan
Liwa alHouriya alIslami
Liwa
Shuhada alAtarib
60th
Infantry
Division
Allied
Based in Idlib
Unknown group
Independent
13
Aleppo (cont.)
Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components
of group
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Ansar alSharia
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
X
Jabhat alNusra
X
Jaysh al
Muhajireen walAnsar
Katibat al
Tawhid walJihad
Jabhat
Ansar alDin
X
Also Active in Idlib
X
X
Fajr al-Sham
Islamic
Movement
Ahrar alSham
Turkey & Saudi

Arabia
Abu Amara
Brigades
Allied
Also in Aleppo Conquest Operations

Room
Room
Independent
14
Aleppo (cont.)
Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components
of group
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
First
Regiment
Liwa alSultan
Murad
Harakat
Mujahidi
al-Islam
Fajr alKhilafa
Brigades
Liwa Ansar
al-Khilafa
Siraya alMa'ad
Kitaba alSuhaba
Jund Allah
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
Room
X
X
Northern MOC

Room

Room
Room
Unknown group
Unknown group
Unknown group
Allied
Independent
15
Aleppo (cont.)
Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components
of group
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
Euphrates
Volcano
Islamic
FrontAleppo
Component of Levant Front
Tawhid
Brigade Northern
Sector
Jaysh alThuwar
It is unclear if the Tawhid brigadenorthern sector is a component of

the Islamic Front-Aleppo and
therefore of the Levant Front.
X
Jabhat alAkrad
Peoples
Protection
Unit (YPG)
Kita'ib
Shams alShamal
Liwa
Thuwar arRaqqa
Allied
Independent
16
Aleppo (cont.)
Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local components of
group
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
Liwa alJihad fi
Sabeel
Allah
Saraya
Jarablus
Tahrir
Brigade
Jaysh alQasas
Unknown group
Liwa Amna'
ar-Raqqa
Unknown group
Free
Floating
Rebel
Groups
Jund alAqsa
Caucasus
Emirate in
al - Sham
Allied
Also active in Latakia,

Hama, and Idlib
Independent
17
Idlib
Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components
of group
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Jaysh alFatah Idlib
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
X
Jabhat alNusra
Jund alAqsa
Ahrar alSham
Also active in Hama Province
Also active in Latakia, Hama, and Aleppo

Turkey & Saudi
Arabia
Suqour alSham
Jaysh alSunna
Ajnad alSham
Sham
Legion
Liwa alHaq
Fully merged with Ahrar al-Sham

X
X
Allied
Also active in Hama

Also active in Hama, Damascus, Deraa,
and Quneitra
Turkey & Qatar
Also active in Aleppo and Hama

Also Active in Aleppo and Hama
Independent
18
Idlib (cont.)
Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local components of
group
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Jaysh al-Mujahireen wal Ansar
Kataib al Tawhid wal Jihad
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed
by
Notes
Battle of
Victory
Jabhat alNusra
Ahrar alSham
Also active in Aleppo

X
Turkey &
Saudi Arabia
Fully merged with Ahrar
al-Sham
Suqour al-Sham
Jabhat
Ansar alDin
Harakat Sham al-Islam

Junud alSham
Kata'ib
Ansar alSham
X
Allied
Independent
19
Idlib (cont.)
Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local components of
group
Jama'at
Ansar alIslam
Turkistan
Islamic
Party
Jaysh alIslam
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed
by
Notes
X
X
X
Free
Floating
Rebel
Groups
Jama'at
Ahadun
Ahad
Liwa alHouriya
al-Islami
111th
Infantry
Division
Jaysh alThuwar
Suqour
al-Ghab
Allied

X

Conquest

Conquest
Independent
Northern
MOC
20
Idlib (cont.)
Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components
of group
101st
Infantry
Division
13th
Division
CrossPower-broker
Province
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
Northern
MOC
Northern
MOC
Northern
MOC & Qatar
Northern
MOC
Northern
MOC
X
X
Fursan alHaqq
Suqour
al-Jabal
Al-Izza
Gathering
X
X
X
Allied
Independent

Also active in Aleppo and
Hama
21
Latakia
Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components
of group
CrossProvince
Power-broker
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
Free Floating
Rebel Groups
Jaysh alMujahireen
wal - Ansar
Junud alSham
Jabhat
Ansar alDin
X
X
X
Harakat Sham
al-Islam
Kata'ib
Ansar alSham
Turkistan
Islamic
Party
Jama'at
Ahadun
Ahad
Katai'b
Ansar alSham
Allied
Independent
22
Latakia (cont.)
Operations
Room
Local
components
of group
Rebel
Group
Jama'at
Ansar alIslam
Ahrar alSham
CrossProvince
Power-broker
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
X
Turkey & Saudi
Arabia
Jund alAqsa
Caucasus
Emirate in
al-Sham
Jaysh alMujahideen
Jaysh alIslam
Jaysh alThuwar
First
Coastal
Division
Liwa alAdiyat
Allied
Also active in Idlib and

Hama
Northern MOC
& Qatar
Saudi Arabia
X
Northern MOC
Northern MOC
Independent
Also active in Hama
23
Hama
Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components of
group
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Jaysh alNasr
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
X
Suqour alGhab
Liwa alAdiyat
Jabhat alSham
Suqour alJabal
Liwa alInqath alMuqatila
Al-Izza
Gathering

Aleppo
X
X
Northern MOC
Northern MOC
Jaysh alFatah Idlib
Northern MOC

Aleppo
Northern MOC

Aleppo
X
Jabhat alNusra
Ahrar alSham
Allied
X
X
Independent
Turkey & Saudi

Arabia
24
Hama (cont.)
Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local components
of group
CrossProvince
Power-broker
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Fully merged
with Ahrar alSham. May no
longer operate as
distinct entity
Suqour al-Sham
Jund al-Aqsa
Jaysh alSunna
Also active in
Idlib and Latakia
Also active in
Aleppo and Idlib
Also active in
Idlib and
Damascus,
Deraa, and
Quneitra
X
X
Ajnad alSham
X
Sham Legion
Liwa alHaqq
Notes
Turkey & Qatar
Also active in
Idlib and Aleppo
Free Floating
Rebel Groups
111th
Infantry
Division
Jaysh alThuwar
Also active in
Aleppo Conquest
X
Allied
Independent
25
Homs
Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components of
group
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Jabhat alNusra
Ahrar alSham
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
Victory of the
Oppressed Joint
Turkey & Saudi

Arabia
Liwa al-Haqq
(Homs)
Ajnad
Homs
Jaysh Ahl
al-Sunna
wal-Jama'a
Jaysh alTawhid
Turkey & Qatar

Kita'ib Saif alIslam Khtab
Liwa 313 Jund
Badr
Allied
Independent
26
Homs (cont.)
Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components of
group
CrossProvince
Powe
rbroke
r
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
Liwa Hama alAqida

Liwa Suqour
Talbisa
Liwa Suyuf alHaq
Liwa Talbisa
Component group of Ahrar

al-Sham
Liwa Ussoud alIslam
A leader of the group

allegedly joined ISIS.
Component group of Sham
Legion
Tajamu' Ilwiya alIman Ballah
Free Floating
Rebel Groups
Tahrir
Homs
Jaysh alThuwar
Allied
Governs in Rastan alongside

Jabhat al-Nusra
Independent
27
Damascus
Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components
of group
CrossProvince
Power-broker
Eastern
Ghouta
Unified
Military
Command
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
X
Ahrar alSham
Jaysh alIslam
Ajnad alSham
Only operates in Eastern Ghouta

Turkey & Saudi
Arabia
X
X
Notes
X
Also active in Idlib, Hama,
Deraa, and Quneitra
X
Liwa Fajr alUmma
Rahman
Corps
X
al-Habib alMustafa
Brigade
One Flag
Alliance
Only operates in Western Ghouta

Jabhat alNusra
Ahrar alSham
Allied
Turkey & Saudi

Arabia
Independent
28
Damascus (cont.)
Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components
of group
Ajnad alSham
CrossProvince
Power-broker
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
Ilwiya wa
Kita'ib alSahaba
Also active in Deraa and

Quneitra
Fursan alSunna
Battalion
Also active in Deraa and

Quneitra
Jabhat Ansar
al-Islam
Southern MOC
Also active in Dera'a. Member

of the Southern Front
Kita'ib
Aknaf Beit
al-Maqdis
Liwa al-Izz
Liwa Tawhid
al-Asima
Islamic
Front
Allied
Independent
29
Damascus (cont.)
Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components
of group
CrossPower-broker
Province
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
Jaysh alFatah
Qalamoun
Jabhat alNusra
Ahrar alSham
Turkey & Saudi Arabia
Liwa
Muatasim
Billah
Jaysh alQalamoun
Unverified.
Marwan
Hadid
Briagde
Unverified. Appears linked

to the Abdullah Azzam
Brigades
Allied
Independent
30
Damascus (cont.)
Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components
of group
CrossProvince Power-broker
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
Unverified. Is a component
of the Southern Front. It is
unclear if currently active
but last posted to Facebook
on 7/26/15.
Gathering of
Western
Qalamoun
11 Division
Special
Forces
Abu Obaida
Battalion
Southern MOC
Component of the
Southern Front
Southern MOC
Component of the
Southern Front
Ahrar alQalamoun
Battalions
Rahman
Corps
X
al-Habib alMustafa
Brigade
Al-Sarkha
Battalions
Asoud alSunna
Battalions
Allied
Independent

31
Damascus (cont.)
Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components
of group
CrossProvince Power-broker
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
Battalion
215
Friends of
the Prophet
Mohammad
Battalion
Hamad
Brigade
Hawsh Arab
Martyrs
Gathering
Katiba alMutahabeen
Billah
Kata'ib alAnsar
Allied
Independent
32
Damascus (cont.)
Local
Operations
Rebel Group components of
Room
group
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
Katiba
Shuhada alNabek
Liwa Ahrar
Hafir
Liwa Rijal
Allah
Liwa Seif alHaq
Liwa Suqour
al-Qalamoun
Liwa Suqour
al-Umawayeen
Liwa Tahrir
al-Qalamoun
Jaysh Tahirir
al-Sham
Component of the
Southern Front
Liwa Thura alSha'ab
Allied
Independent
33
Damascus (cont.)
Local
Operations
Room
group
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
Men of
Qalamoun
Battalion
Saif al-Islam
Battalion
Sheild of
Qalamoun
Brigade
Katiba Shaid
Mamoud
Murad
Katiba
Shuhada alSarkha
Katiba Yousef
al-Sadiq
Eastern
Qalamoun
Operations
Room
X
Jabhat alNusra
Ahrar al-Sham
Allied
Turkey & Saudi

Arabia
Independent
34
Damascus (cont.)
Local
Operations
Room
group
Rahman Corps
Jaysh al-Islam
Martyr
Lieutenant
Ahmed Abdou
Brigades
Originality
and
Development
Front
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
X
X
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Southern
MOC
Notes
Component of the Southern

Front
Jaysh Asoud alSharqiya
Free
Floating
Rebel
Groups
Furqan
Brigades
Damascus
Martyrs
Brigade
Southern
MOC
X
X

Front
Front
Front
Jaysh al-Ababil
Allied
Independent
35
Dera'a & Quneitra

Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components of
group
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
Active in Southwestern
Damascus Countryside and
Northern Quneitra Countryside
Jaysh alHarmoun
Jabhat alNusra
Ahrar alSham
Turkey & Saudi

Arabia
Fursan alSunna
Battalion
Also active in Damascus
Harakat
Shuhada
al-Sham
al-Islamiya
Liwa alSayyid alMessiyah
Liwa Jabal
al-Sheikh
Liwa
Omar bin
al-Khatab
Allied
Independent

36
Dera'a & Quneitra (cont.)

Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components of
group
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
Turkey & Saudi

Arabia
Also a signatory to the Fatah alSham Operations Room
Liwa
Tawhid alAsima
Liwa
Osama bin
Zaid
Siyad alUsoud
Battalion
Jaysh alFatah
Southern
Sector
Jabhat alNusra
Ahrar alSham
Suqour al-Sham
Allied
Also a signatory to the Fatah alSham Operations Room
Independent
37

Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components of
group
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
Fatah alSham Joint

Operations
Room
Harakat
Muthanna alIslamiya
Kita'ib Aknaf Beit
al-Maqdis
Jaysh al-Islam
Ajnad al-Sham
Abu Obaida
Battalion
Ilwiya wa Kita'ib
al-Sahaba
Ansar al-Huda
Gathering
Also active in Idlib, Hama,

Deraa, and Quneitra
Jama'at Basha'ir
al-Islam
Katibat Aswad alAqsad
Liwa al-I'tisam
Billah
Allied
A component of Ahrar alSham
Independent
38

Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components of
group
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
Liwa al-Shahid alA'qeed Ahmed alOmar

Mashrou Benaa
Umma
Liwa Ahaya
al-Jihad
Liwa alUmarayn
al-Islami
Liwa Ansar
al-Haqq
Liwa Usoud
al-Tawhid
Tajamu alMujahideen
Nawa
Allied
Independent
39

Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
Crosscomponents of
Province
group
Powerbroker
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
Southern MOC
Damascus-based. Exact
contributions unknown
Southern MOC
& Turkey
Southern
Front
X
Furqan
Brigades
Jabhat
Ansar alIslam
First
Army
Southern MOC
Hamza Division
First Artillery
Regiment
Syrian
Revolutionaries
Front - Southern
Sector
Tahalaf
Suqour
alJanoub
Southern MOC
Southern MOC
Southern MOC
X
March 18 Division
Fallujah Houran
Division
Allied
Southern MOC
Southern MOC
Independent
40

Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components
of group
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Potential
Powerbroker
Jaysh alYarmouk
Firqat Usoud
al-Sunnah
Liwa Tawhid
al-Janub
Usoud alHarb
Operations
Room
Liwa Mua'taz
Billah
Alwiyat alOmari
Liwa Shabab
al-Sunna
Liwa Tawhid
Kita'ib Houran
Group's leader Bashar Zoubi

appears to have been
sidelined by the MOC
Southern MOC
Southern MOC
Southern MOC
Southern MOC
Fajr al-Tawhid
Division
Southern MOC
Southern MOC
Allied
Notes
Southern MOC
First Corps
Financed by
Southern MOC
Southern MOC
Independent
41

Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components
of group
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Potential
Powerbroker
8th Infantry
Brigade
19th Infantry
Brigade
21st Infantry
Division
99th Infantry
Division
Furqat Nasr
Salah al-Din
Division
Liwa alHaramayn alShurayfayn
Liwa Fursan alHouriya
Liwa Asafa alJaboub al-Har
Liwa Sajoul
Liwa Jasahr alHouran
55th Infantry
Brigade
Liwa Saraya alKarama
Allied
Financed by
Notes
Southern MOC
Independent
42

Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components
of group
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Southern MOC
Notes
Liwa Shuhada
al-Harra
Seif alSham
Brigades
24th
Infantry
Division
Ahrar
Nawa
Division
Fajr alIslam
Division
Liwa alMughawir
al-Awli
Liwa
Jaydour
Houran
Shahid
Ra'ed alMasri
Jabhat alSham alMuwahida
Southern MOC
Southern MOC
Allied
Independent
43

Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components
of group
69th
Special
Forces
Division
Damascus
Martyrs
Brigade
Jaysh alAbabil
Liwa Ahrar
Inkhil
First
Brigade
Liwa
Muatassim
Billah
Liwa
Muhajireen
wal-Ansar
Liwa
Amoud
Houran
Katibat
Fadayeen
Houran
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Potential
Powerbroker
Financed by
Notes
Southern MOC

Front
Southern MOC
Southern MOC
Allied
Independent
44

Operations
Room
Rebel
Group
Local
components
of group
CrossProvince
Powerbroker
Potential
Powerbroker
Liwa
Khayalat
al-Zaydi
Liwa
Ahsa'ar alLajat
Ansar alSunnah
Liwa
Fursan
Houran
Liwa
Shuhada
al-Islam
Liwa
Shuhada
Houran
Financed by
Notes
Southern MOC
Allied
Independent
45

Syrian Opposition Guide

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Syrian Opposition Guide

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Jennifer Cafarella and Genevieve Casagrande

SYRIAN OPPOSITION GUIDE

Separable from Jabhat al-Nusra: Rebel groups that

powerbrokers in the near term upon the receipt

Layout by Casey Jaquez

List of Military Operations Rooms Included In This Document

To liberate Aleppo City from the Syrian regime

To liberate Idlib Province from the Syrian regime

To seize Jisr al-Shughour City from the Syrian regime

To overthrow the Syrian regime in Damascus and its countryside

Jaysh alFatah Qalamoun

Jaysh alFatah alJanoub

To fight the Syrian regime and Hezbollah

To overthrow the Syrian regime and fight ISIS

Deraa & Quneitra Province

To liberate the Western Ghouta suburbs of Damascus

REBEL GROUPS INDEX

Liwa al-Haqq (Idlib, Hama)

101st Infantry Division (Idlib)

Liwa al-Houriya al-Islami (Idlib)

111st Infantry Division (Idlib, Hama)

Liwa al-Jihad fi Sabeel Allah

13th Division (Idlib)

Liwa al-Sultan Muhammad al-Fatih

Liwa Amna ar-Raqqa

60th Infantry Division (Idlib)

Liwa Ansar al-Khilafa

Abu Amara Brigades

Liwa Ansar al-Sunna

Ahrar al-Sham (Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deraa

Liwa Fursan al-Haqq (Idlib)

Al-Izza Gathering (Hama, Idlib)

Liwa Shuhada al-Atarib

Liwa Thuwar ar-Raqqa

Caucasus Emirate in al-Sham (Latakia)

Nour al-Din al-Zenki

Fajr al-Khilafa Brigades

Fajr al-Sham Islamic Movement

Sham Legion (Idlib, Hama)

Fistaqim Kama Umirat

Suqour al-Ghab (Idlib, Hama)

Furqan Brigades (Damascus, Deraa & Quneitra)

Suqour al-Jabal (Idlib, Hama)

Harakat al-Thahur Baryis

Thuwar al-Sham Brigades

Harakat Mujahidi al-Islam

Peoples Protection Units (YPG)

Jabhat Ansar al-Din (Idlib)

101st Infantry Division (Aleppo)

Jaysh al-Sunna (Idlib, Hama)

111th Infantry Division (Aleppo, Hama)

Jaysh al-Islam (Idlib, Latakia, Damascus)

13th Division (Aleppo)

Jaysh al-Mujahideen (Latakia)

Ahrar al-Sham (Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deraa &

(CLICK ABLE LINKS)

Jund al-Aqsa (Idlib, Latakia, Hama)

Ajnad al-Sham (Hama, Damascus, Deraa & Queneitra)

Jabhat al-Nusra (Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deraa &

Katibat al-Tawhid wal-Jihad (Idlib)

Jabhat Ansar al-Din (Aleppo)

Kitaib al-Safwat al-Islamiya

Jamaat Ahadun Ahad (Latakia)

Kitaib Shams al-Shamal