13th Division (Syrian rebel group)
| 13th Division | |
|---|---|
|
الفرقة 13 Participant in the Syrian Civil War | |
|
Insignia of the 13th Division. | |
| Active | 2013[1]–Present |
| Ideology |
Islamic democracy Secularism[2] |
| Leaders |
Lieutenant Colonel Ahmad Al-Sa’oud[1] Commander Thach Thi Ngoc-Hieu |
| Headquarters | Ma'arrat al-Numan[1] |
| Area of operations |
Idlib Governorate[2] Hama Governorate Aleppo Governorate[3] |
| Strength | 1,800+ (own claim)[1] |
| Part of |
Free Syrian Army[2] Syrian Revolutionary Command Council Fatah Halab |
| Allies |
Islamic Front[4] Al-Nusra Front[5] Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar |
| Opponents |
Syrian Armed Forces National Defense Force Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant[1] |
| Battles and wars | |
The 13th Division (Arabic: الفرقة 13) is a Syrian rebel group sanctioned by the Syrian National Council. It was among the first armed Syrian opposition groups to receive U.S.-made BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missiles. The group's leader Ahmad Al-Sa’oud said during an interview that the missiles were provided by the Friends of Syria, which also (according to Al-Sa'oud) provided training on how to use the advanced weaponry.[2] According to a spokesperson for the FSA's Supreme Military Council, the 13th Division is funded by sources within Saudi Arabia.[1]
History
The group was formed in 2013, after being incorporated into the Free Syrian Army.
In December 2013, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) overran a Division 13 base in Kafr Nabl, seizing ammunition and weaponry. This came after a history of clashes between the two groups. The following day, Lieutenant Colonel Ahmad Al-Sa’oud was ambushed and kidnapped in Taftanaz by ISIS while he was trying to negotiate for their return. He was released after two weeks. The group is currently fighting the Syrian government and ISIS.[1]
The group fought in Khan al-Asal, the Rashideen neighbourhood, and the Research Sciences Centre in Aleppo. In Idlib and Hama Governorates, the 13th Division fought at Mork, Khan Shaykhun, Heish, Qumeis, Baboulin, Wadi Al-Deif military base and Al-Hamdiyyeh military base.[3]
On 6 May 2015, along with 13 other Aleppo-based groups, joined the Fatah Halab joint operations room.
Structure
According to its leader, the 13th Division is split into 10 companies, with another 200 in support roles.[1]
Stance on Israel
According to its leader, the group supports the idea of returning all Syrian land occupied by Israel to Syria.[2]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Syria rebel recounts his time in an ISIL jail". Al Jazeera English. 10 March 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "U.S.-Armed Syrian Rebel Group Seeks ‘All Syrian Land Occupied by Israel’". Free Beacon. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
- 1 2 3 "Exclusive interview with Ahmad Al-Sa’oud, head of Division 13, one of the 9 factions given access to TOW missiles". Tahrir Souri. 17 May 2014. Archived from the original on 21 August 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
- ↑ "Opposition fighters report gains in Syria’s Aleppo". ARA News. 15 October 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
- ↑ "Al Nusrah Front, Ahrar al Sham advance in northwestern Syria". Long War Journal. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
- ↑ "Rebels say US-made missiles turning tide against regime". AFP. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
External links
- 13th Division on Twitter (Arabic)
- 13th Division YouTube Channel
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