Ahrar al-Sham

Turkey’s Quiet Relationship with ISIS

On June 29, 2014, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State in al-Sham (ISIS), was recorded on video speaking at the al-Nuri Mosque in Mosul, Iraq. (“Al-Sham” is the traditional Arabic...

Turkey’s Push for Regime Change in Syria: The Jihadi Highway

Syria’s civil war broke out in March 2011, in reaction to the brutal crackdown by the regime of Bashar al-Asad of popular protests that were part of the wider Arab Spring. In supporting the Syrian...

UN Report Ties New Syrian Army to Coastal Massacres

The Syrian coastal massacres in March marked one of the deadliest violent episodes since the downfall of the Assad regime. An August 11 report by the United Nations’ Independent International Commission...

Profiles of commanders in the new Syrian army’s regional divisions

On January 29, Syria’s new leadership announced the dissolution of the Assad regime’s Syrian Arab Army and launched a unification process to integrate various armed militias into a single national...

10 Things to Know About Turkey’s Interventions and Influence in Syria

Turkey intends to position itself as the most influential foreign actor in Syria. Following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Turkey built close ties with jihadist militias fighting Bashar...

Profiles of foreign commanders in the new Syrian army

The new Syrian administration has announced the disbandment of the Bashar al Assad regime’s Syrian Arab Army and confirmed the integration of multiple rebel groups into a unified military under...

Ahmad al Sharaa’s Victory Conference: Syria’s new era and an exclusive translation of Sharaa’s speech

On January 29, Syria’s new leadership, headed by Ahmad al Sharaa—formerly known as Abu Mohammad al Jolani, the emir of Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) and previously the leader of Al Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate,...

Profiles of the new Syrian military leadership, part 2

Beginning on Friday, January 3, the newly appointed minister of defense of the Syrian Interim Government, Murhef Abu Qasra, initiated a series of meetings with leaders of armed factions to discuss integrating...

Profiles of new Syrian military leadership

On December 21, Abu Mohammad Jolani, also known as Ahmad al Sharaa, convened a meeting with numerous leaders of Syrian armed factions and local figures to discuss plans for unifying these militias into...

Can Syria’s New Leader Unite Armed Factions Into One Army? 

Syria’s new leader Ahmad al-Sharaa – who also uses the nom-de-guerre Abu Mohammad al Jolani — has pledged to dissolve existing armed factions and integrate their fighters into a newly formed...

The Islamic State and Iran remain determined to attack the US

Despite the recent successes of federal law enforcement agencies, the number of attempted attacks underscores these adversaries’ determination. Since the October 8 arrest of an Afghan man...

Who will form the core of Jolani’s unified army?

Ahmad al Sharaa, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), commonly known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al Jolani, has unveiled a vision for post-Assad Syria. With HTS assuming control in the aftermath...

US launches massive strikes on Islamic State as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham deposes Assad regime

The US Military launched “dozens” of airstrikes against Islamic State targets in central Syria on December 8, the day that President Bashir al-Assad’s regime was overthrown by the terrorist organization...

What’s next for Syria? Assad, Jihadist terrorist groups, and chemical weapons

Treasury Designates Turkey-Backed Syrian Jihadists Implicated in War Crimes

The U.S. Treasury Department designated Syrian militant group Ahrar al-Sharqiya last week, targeting a Turkish proxy for the first time since the war in Syria began. This designation reflects a new readiness...

Analysis: The Islamic State’s ideological campaign against al-Qaeda

On April 29, the Islamic State’s “province” (wilayah) in Yemen released a lengthy video that is intended to undermine al-Qaeda’s ideological legitimacy within the jihadists’ ranks. The 50-plus...

American Citizen Sues Qatari Bank for Funding Terror

An American photojournalist kidnapped and tortured by a Syrian terror group is suing Qatar Islamic Bank for allegedly funding it. The case reinforces Qatar’s ongoing challenges in tackling terror finance...

Brothers in Arms

The Consolidation of the Turkey-Qatar Axis

Wanted al Qaeda leader warns of Turkish influence on jihad in Syria

A statement attributed to Saif al-Adel (left) was disseminated online this week. Last year, the State Department announced a reward of $10 million for information on al-Adel and Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah,...