Wikipedia

Revolutionary Commando Army

Not to be confused with Free Syrian Army.

The Revolutionary Commando Army (RCA) (Arabic: جيش مغاوير الثورة),[23] also known as the Syrian Free Army (SFA) (Arabic: جيش سوريا الحرة), or the New Syrian Army (NSA) (Arabic: جيش سوريا الجديد), is a United States Army-trained Syrian opposition faction which controls territory near Syria's border with Iraq and Jordan and north into part of the country's eastern Hama governorate. It has been hosted at the US military base at al-Tanf.[23][22][24]

Revolutionary Commando Army
Leaders
  • Salem Turki al-Antri (since February 2024)[1]
  • Muhammad Farid al-Qasim (until February 2024)[2]
  • Muhammad Ahmad[3] (until September 2022)[2]
  • Captain Abdullah al-Zoubi[4]
    (since December 2016, RCA)
  • Bara Fares[5]
    (media spokesperson)
  • Muhammad Jarrah[6]
    (spokesman)
  • Khazal al-Sarhan[7]
    (until December 2016, NSA)
  • Mozahem al-Saloum[8]
    (spokesperson, former, NSA)
Dates of operationMay 2015 – Dec 2016 (New Syrian Army)
Dec 2016 – Nov 2022 (Revolutionary Commando Army)
Nov 2022 – present (Syrian Free Army)
Group(s)
  • Ghosts of the Desert[9]
  • Allahu Akbar Brigade
HeadquartersAl-Tanf
Active regionsDamascus Governorate
Homs Governorate
Rif Dimashq Governorate
Deir ez-Zor Governorate, Syria
Anbar Governorate, Iraq
IdeologyDemocracy
Secularism
Anti-Assadism
StatusActive
Size
Part ofSyrian opposition Free Syrian Army
Syrian opposition Authenticity and Development Front (until August 2016)[16]
Allies Southern Front[17] Tahrir al-Sham[15]
 United States
United Kingdom United Kingdom[19]
 France[20]
Norway Norway (until 2018)[21]
Jordan Jordan (until 2018)[17]
Suqour al-Sham[15]
Southern Operations Room[15]
Opponents Islamic State[22]
Ba'athist Syria Syrian Arab Armed Forces Surrendered
Battles and warsSyrian civil war 2023 American–Middle East conflict
Preceded by
Allahu Akbar Brigade (Authenticity and Development Front)

Founded as an expansion of the Authenticity and Development Front by Syrian Arab Army defectors and other rebels during the Syrian civil war on 20 May 2015, the New Syrian Army sought to expel the Islamic State from southeastern Syria. In December 2016, the New Syrian Army dissolved, and the remnants of the group formed the Revolutionary Commando Army.[25]

The group is known for corruption, which led to the U.S. Central Command dismissing its former top official Mohanad al-Tala in 2022.[26] In the aftermath, following an alleged U.S. Central Command attempt to integrate the group into the Syrian Democratic Forces, it rebranded as the Syrian Free Army.[27]

After the fall of the Assad government in December 2024, the SFA took control of about 20% of Syria, including Palmyra and the north part of Damascus.[15]

History

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The New Syrian Army was established by remnants of the Allahu Akbar Brigade, part of the Authenticity and Development Front and formerly based in Abu Kamal.[28][29] The NSA was formed on 20 May 2015, and its fighters were trained in Jordan.[3]

On 16 November 2015, the New Syrian Army was deployed at al-Tanf in southeastern Syria, near Iraq and Jordan, and carried out a raid, with or without US aerial support. No further information was given.[30]

On 5 March 2016, the NSA and another FSA group, the Forces of Martyr Ahmad al-Abdo, captured the al-Tanf border crossing from ISIL in a cross-border raid from Jordan.[31]

In May 2016, an Islamic State suicide attack struck an NSA base near al-Tanf, which resulted in a large number of casualties. The attack brought to the surface underlying tensions and a lack of morale within the group, whose members alleged that the US failed to provide them with the equipment promised.[16]

In June 2016, the NSA's base near al-Tanf was hit by multiple cluster bombs from Russian airstrikes, killing 2 and injuring 18.[32] Russia denied responsibility for the airstrike, although photos released by the NSA identified the bombs as Russian RBK-500 cluster bombs which were delivered from Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia.[33]

Later in June, the group launched an offensive against ISIL in Abu Kamal. The offensive was repelled by ISIL.[34]

On 3 August 2016, the New Syrian Army was expelled from the Authenticity and Development Front.[35]

Ghosts of the Desert

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The Ghosts of the Desert (Arabic: أشباح الصحراء) was an NSA-affiliated anti-ISIL insurgent group that covertly operated in ISIL-held towns in southeastern Syria and southwestern Iraq such as Abu Kamal, Mayadin, and al-Qaim.[citation needed] Since March 2016, they initially sprayed graffiti and raised Syrian and Iraqi flags in the towns, but began to conduct covert military activities the next month, such as sabotage, assassinations of ISIL fighters, and marking positions for airstrikes. The group supplied military intelligence to the US Air Force that allowed them to kill Abu Waheeb in May 2016 in the Iraqi town of Rutbah after the group marked his location.[9]

 
Members of the Revolutionary Commando Army and a US Army soldier repair a water well in Al-Tanf.

Revolutionary Commando Army

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In December 2016, the New Syrian Army dissolved after internal disputes. Some of its remnants regrouped under the name Revolutionary Commando Army (RCA), led by Captain Abdullah al-Zoubi.[4]

On 30 April 2017, the RCA launched an offensive into eastern Syria, reaching the Deir ez-Zor Governorate and capturing the village of Humaymah, south of the T2 pumping station.[36][37] Two days later, the rebels attacked and captured several sites in the region, including: Tarwazeh al-Wa`er, Sereit al-Wa`er, Mount Ghrab, Swab desert, al-Kamm Swab, the T3 Pumping Station, Me`izeileh and Tarwazeh al-Attshaneh.[38] On 6 May, FSA groups including the RCA captured several sites in the Badiya region of Homs Governorate to the south of Palmyra including Dahlouz and al-Halbeh areas.[39] The RCA was supplied with IAG Guardian armoured personnel carriers by the US during the operation.[40]

In late November 2017, at least 180 fighters in the RCA were relieved of duty. According to the United States Central Command, the fighters "completed their military service", while according to the group's spokesman, they were removed due to their "weak performance". As result, between 40 and 60 fighters were left in the group.[6] The unit increased in numbers after that point, with c. 300 fighters serving with the RCA by October 2018.[13]

In 2021, reports emerged that several explosions took place in al-Tanf. The RCA stated that they came from training exercises that it was conducting in the region.[41] On 20 October 2021, the RCA, other opposition elements at al-Tanf, and the US garrison there were attacked by drones, causing no injuries.[42]

On 23 September 2022, the US-led coalition dismissed RCA's commander Brigadier General Muhannad Ahmad and replaced him with Captain Muhammad Farid, a former leader of the Qaryatayn Martyrs' Brigade. This caused a group of RCA leaders styling themselves as the military council of RCA to reject the new leader and seize control of part of the al-Tanf base, leading to a brief siege in which the military council was confronted by the main RCA group and US forces, submitting to the new leadership soon after.[2]

Syrian Free Army

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Following another meeting with US forces, the group changed its name to the Syrian Free Army on 23 October 2022.[23]

On 29 February 2024, the Syrian Free Army announced the appointment of Salem Turki al-Antri as their new leader, replacing Muhammad Farid al-Qasim. The announcement was made through a statement and photos on the group's official website at the US-operated al-Tanf military base in eastern Homs Governorate. The group expressed excitement about the new opportunities al-Antri's leadership will provide.[1]

On 7 December 2024, the Syrian Free Army participated in the Palmyra offensive capturing the city, after this they moved west and fought in the Battle of Damascus alongside the Southern Operations Room, taking territory in the northern half of the city.[15]

References

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  1. ^ a b al-Yaziji, Saad (29 February 2024). "Syrian Free Army appoints new leader in Syria's al-Tanf base". North Press Agency. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Al Nofal, Walid (5 October 2022). "US-backed Maghawir al-Thawra commander replaced, amid internal disagreements and corruption allegations". Syria Direct. Archived from the original on 5 October 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Ersan, Muhammad (1 June 2017). "Syrian rebel commander: 150 US troops at al-Tanf base". Al-Monitor. Archived from the original on 12 June 2017.
  4. ^ a b ""The new Syrian Army" new look .. "commando revolution," the formation of US support to fight state regulation in Homs". Shaam Network. 22 December 2016. Archived from the original on 11 October 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  5. ^ Hourani, Muhammad (25 May 2017). ""Commando revolution" is preparing to cover the battle of Abu Kamal coalition". Arabi 21. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  6. ^ a b c Khaled a-Noufal, Waleed; Clark, Justin (21 November 2017). "US-backed forces in southeastern Syria downsize, take on smaller role". Syria Direct. Archived from the original on 21 November 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  7. ^ "New Syrian Army will 'liberate eastern Syria' from IS". The New Arab. 12 March 2016. Archived from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  8. ^ "What is the truth Revolution Army commando attack on the regime in the Syrian desert?". Qasioun News Agency. 26 May 2017. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  9. ^ a b "THE GHOSTS OF THE DESERT: FIGHTING ISIS FROM WITHIN". Conflict News. 12 August 2016. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016.
  10. ^ Bulos, Nabih (29 June 2016). "U.S.-backed rebels launched their first attack against Islamic State. They lost". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 24 August 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  11. ^ Weiss, Michael (1 July 2016). "They Rescued This Town from ISIS, Then Lost It". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on 15 March 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  12. ^ Roche, Cody (13 August 2016). "Syrian Opposition Factions in the Syrian Civil War". Bellingcat. Archived from the original on 9 April 2022.
  13. ^ a b Kube, Courtney (22 October 2018). "Inside the remote U.S. base in Syria central to combating ISIS and countering Iran". NBC News. Archived from the original on 26 November 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  14. ^ "Syrian-Jordanian-Iraqi junction". The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 1 June 2023. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  15. ^ a b c d e f Blomfield, Adrian (18 December 2024). "US 'prepared Syrian rebel group to help topple Bashar al-Assad'". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 18 December 2024. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  16. ^ a b "The last remaining Pentagon-trained rebel group in Syria is now in jeopardy". Washington Post. 27 May 2016. Archived from the original on 6 May 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  17. ^ a b "The New Syrian Army: America's "Tip of the Spear" Against ISIS in the Syrian Desert". Rao Komar. 31 May 2016. Archived from the original on 27 December 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  18. ^ "Russian air strikes kill Syrian refugees on Jordan border: Rebels". Middle East Eye. 13 July 2016. Archived from the original on 27 December 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  19. ^ "British special forces 'operating inside Syria alongside rebels'". The Daily Telegraph. 6 June 2016. Archived from the original on 6 June 2016.
  20. ^ Atallah, Khaled (26 October 2017). "How the Syrian army is working to gain control of road to Raqqa". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  21. ^ "Holder tett om støtte". Klassekampen (in Norwegian). 16 June 2018. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  22. ^ a b "Syria's New Army". BBC. 10 November 2015. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  23. ^ a b c "New decision – Maghaweer Al-Thawrah to change faction's name to "Free Syria" army". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. 23 October 2022. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  24. ^ Kelly, Fergus (29 September 2017). "US-led Coalition: MaT still a vetted Syrian force, remains at At Tanf". The Defense Post. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  25. ^ ""Revolution Commando" New Military Formation to fight IS group of Palmyra". El-Dorar al-Shamia. 27 December 2016. Archived from the original on 3 June 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  26. ^ Hammou, Ammar (5 October 2022). "US-backed Maghawir al-Thawra commander replaced, amid internal disagreements and corruption allegations". Syria Direct. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  27. ^ "Syria's Maghaweir al-Thowra former leader reveals reasons for his dismissal". North Press Agency. 17 October 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  28. ^ "Department of Defense Press Briefing by Colonel Garver via teleconfere". United States Department of Defense. 29 June 2016. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  29. ^ "Syrian Opposition Factions in the Syrian Civil War - bellingcat". Bellingcat. 13 August 2016. Archived from the original on 9 April 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  30. ^ "New U.S.-backed offensive in northern Syria advances on ISIS outposts". McClatchy DC. 17 November 2015. Archived from the original on 23 May 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  31. ^ "Syria Rebels take border crossing from IS". Associated Press. 5 March 2016. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  32. ^ Loveluck, Louisa; Ensor, Josie (17 June 2016). "Russian warplanes bomb elite British-backed Syrian rebels". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 27 December 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  33. ^ "The al-Tanf Bombing: How Russia Assisted ISIS by Attacking an American Backed FSA Group with Cluster Bombs". Bellingcat. 21 June 2016. Archived from the original on 8 October 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  34. ^ "US Backed New Syrian Army Suffers Crippling Defeat". Conflict-news.com. Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  35. ^ "Syria rebel coalition cuts ties with US-backed group". NOW. 4 August 2016. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  36. ^ "جيش مغاوير الثورة لـ "قاسيون": سيطرنا على حميمة ونستعد لدخول دير الزور". Qasioun News Agency (in Arabic). 30 April 2017. Archived from the original on 4 May 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  37. ^ "المعارضة مدعومة من التحالف الدولي تسيطر على بلدة حميمة بريف دير الزور الجنوبي". Ittihad Press (in Arabic). 30 April 2017. Archived from the original on 8 March 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  38. ^ Yakovlev, Ivan (2 May 2017). "US-backed militants advance deep inside ISIS-controlled Syrian desert". Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 15 May 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  39. ^ Leith, Fadel (6 May 2017). "Video footage of FSA troops advancing 70km south of Palmyra". Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 21 May 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  40. ^ "Southern factions receive US military vehicles". Al Etihad Press. 10 May 2017. Archived from the original on 13 May 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  41. ^ "Explosions heard near Syria-Iraq border, rebels deny blasts in US base". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 5 December 2021. Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  42. ^ "Attack hits Syria base that houses U.S. troops; no U.S. injuries". NBC News. 21 October 2021. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
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