Syrian Martyrs' Brigades
The Syrian Martyrs' Brigades, full name Union of Martyrs of Syria Battalions and Brigades (Arabic: تجمع كتائب وألوية شهداء سوريا), was a unit of the Free Syrian Army and the Syrian Revolutionaries Front which was active in the Idlib Governorate. The unit was formed during the early years of the Syrian Civil War in order to fight against the Syrian Government.
Union of Martyrs of Syria Battalions and Brigades
- Jamal Maarouf
- Capt. Yusuf Yahya (2011–12)[1]
- Lt. Alaa Hussein (POW)[1]
15 December 2011 – 5 May 2015
Martyrs of Mount Zawiya Battalion[2]
Saudi Arabia
Turkey
Qatar
Islamic Front
Army of Mujahedeen- Sham Legion
Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar (until 2014)
al-Nusra Front (until September 2014)
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Syrian Armed Forces
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant- al-Nusra Front (since September 2014)
Activity[edit]
After placing the Syrian Air Force base at Abu al-Duhur under siege, the Syrian Martyrs' Brigades were credited with downing two MiG-21 and one MiG-23 jet fighters in August and September 2012, including one reportedly shot down by Maarouf himself.[9]
In January 2014, the Syrian Martyrs' Brigades killed Haji Bakr, a senior military commander in the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group.[12]
Ideology[edit]
Unlike the Islamist Suqour al-Sham, the Martyrs of Mount Zawiya Battalion had been described as not motivated by any particular ideology, although the leadership came from a background of Sunni Muslim observance and traditional rural values.[3] The groups subunits were often named after Syrian nationalist figures rather than Islamic ones.[13] Maarouf did not advocate an Islamic state, and was wary of Islamist groups, however his group cooperates with them on the battlefield.[3]