Elite Army (Syrian rebel group)
| Elite Army | |
|---|---|
|
جيش النخبة Jaysh al-Nukhba Participant in the Syrian Civil War | |
|
Former logo of Jaysh al-Tahrir | |
| Active | 24 February 2016 – present[1] |
| Groups |
Former:
|
| Leaders | |
| Headquarters | Kafr Nabl, Idlib Governorate, Syria |
| Area of operations | |
| Size | 3,000[5] (self-claim, 2017) |
| Part of | |
| Originated as | Liberation Army (Jaysh al-Tahrir) |
| Allies | |
| Opponents | |
| Battles and wars | |
The Elite Army (Arabic: جيش النخبة: Jaysh al-Nukhba), formerly called the Liberation Army (Arabic: جيش التحرير: Jaysh al-Tahrir), is a Free Syrian Army group operating in the Hama and Aleppo Governorates. The group was formed from 5 units, some of which have received BGM-71 TOW missiles from the United States.[6]
History
In July 2016 the al-Nusra Front raided Jaysh al-Tahrir's headquarters in Kafr Nabl and captured 40 fighters, including the group's commander, Mohammed al-Ghabi. They also seized a number of weapons.[2]
The group participated in the Turkish military intervention in Syria which began with the capture of Jarabulus. Jaysh al-Tahrir fighters captured the village of Amarnah from the Syrian Democratic Forces and took more than 8 SDF fighters captive.[7] Since October 2016, Jaysh al-Tahrir operates a prisoner-of-war camp in the northern Aleppo Governorate, which holds around 300 prisoners of war from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, implementing Sharia and capital punishment.[8] On 15 October, Mohammed al-Ghabi was severely injured by an ISIL car bombs and died 20 days later. A new commander was named on 10 November.[3]
On 7 January 2017, the Liberation Army announced that it has changed its name to the Elite Army and a new commander was appointed.[5]
After internal disputes within the group in early 2017, the 46th Division, the 312th Division, and the 314th Division left the Elite Army and formed a new group called the 2nd Army.[9]
References
- ↑ "Five Factions Merge under the Name "Jaish Al Tahrir"". RFS Media Office. 24 February 2016.
- 1 2 "Nusra captures leader, fighters of Western-backed rebels in northern Syria". Reuters. 3 July 2016.
- 1 2 "(PLA) chooses a new leader created for Gabi". All4Syria. 11 November 2016.
- ↑ "Hero’s welcome for first Russian warplanes back from Syria". The National. 15 March 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 ""Liberation Army" declares restructured and changed its name to the "elite army"". SMART News Agency. 8 January 2017.
- ↑ "THE MODERATE REBELS: A GROWING LIST OF VETTED GROUPS FIELDING BGM-71 TOW ANTI-TANK GUIDED MISSILES". Hasan Mustafas. 5 October 2015.
- ↑ "Two US-backed groups clash in northern Syria". The Long War Journal. 29 August 2016.
- ↑ "Syrian rebels Jaysh al-Tahrir holds Isis fighters in secret prison 'internment' camp". IB Times. 13 October 2016.
- ↑ Ahmad Zakariyah (23 June 2017). "Commander Of The FSA’s Jaish Al-Thani : Our Objective Is To Form A Unified National Army To Ensure Safety In All Syrian Territory". Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office.