Jaysh al-Ummah

Jaysh al-Ummah
Participant in the Syrian civil war
Active 19 September 2014 - 9 March 2015[1][2]
Ideology Islamism[3]
Leaders Ahmad Taha (POW)
Nizar Khabbini[4]
Headquarters Douma, Syria[5]
Area of operations Rif Dimashq Governorate[5]
Strength 1,500+[4]
Allies Syrian Armed Forces
National Defense Force[2]
Opponents Southern Front
Jaysh al-Islam[5]
Battles and wars Syrian Civil War

The Jaysh al-Ummah (Army of the Nation)[3] was a rebel coalition of 20 small rebel groups active during the Syrian Civil War.[4] The group operated in Damascus and Rif Dimashq Governorate.[5] It was disbanded on 9 March 2015, after its fighters defected to the Syrian government forces in Eastern Ghouta.[2]

History

On 19 September 2014, 10 small rebel groups formed the Jaysh al-Ummah.[1] The leader of Jaysh al-Islam, Zahran Alloush, condemned the formation by saying that "there cannot be two heads for the same body". This immediately resulted in a tension and sporadic clashes between the two groups.[6]

On 29 September 2014, the leader of Jaysh al-Ummah survived an assassination attempt,[7] but his deputy was killed.[8] On 19 October 2014, a second assassination attempt was made on him. The attack wounded him and killed his son.[8]

On 1 January 2015, the newly formed Osod al-Haq brigade joined the coalition.[9]

The powerful rebel group Jaysh al-Islam affiliated with the Islamic Front declared war on Jaysh al-Ummah on 4 January 2015 and arrested its leader and seized its headquarters in Douma within a timespan of 6 hours. It also isued a warrant against the deputy Nizar Khabbini. During the clashes, the Usad al-Ghouta (Lions of Ghouta) surrendered to Jaysh al-Islam, while 1,500 members of Jaysh al-Ummah were invited to join the ranks of the Islamic Front.[4][5]

The day before, two leaders in the Jaysh al-Ummah were assassinated by unknown gunmen.[9]

On 9 March 2015, the remaining fighters of the Jaysh al-Ummah in Eastern Ghouta, alongside Al-Anfal Brigade, defected to the Syrian government forces.[2]

Affiliated groups

See also

References


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