Liwa Thuwar al-Raqqa
Liwa Thuwar al-Raqqa[1] | |
---|---|
![]() Logo of Liwa Thuwwar al-Raqqa | |
Leaders | Abu Diab †[2] Abu Issa[3] Abu Saif[4] Abu Dahash[5] |
Dates of operation | September 2012 – |
Active regions | Raqqa Governorate, Syria[1] Aleppo Governorate, Syria[4] |
Part of | Free Syrian Army[6] Euphrates Volcano[7] |
Allies | Euphrates Islamic Liberation Front Liwa Ahrar Souriya People's Protection Units Farouq Brigades[8] Jabhat al-Nusra[9] (formerly)[10] Jabhat al-Akrad[11] Jihad in the Path of God Brigade United States[12] |
Opponents | Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant[2] Syrian Armed Forces |
Battles and wars | Syrian Civil War |
Liwa Thuwwar al-Raqqa (Arabic: لواء ثوار الرقة, liwā' thūwwār ar-raqqah; English: Raqqa Revolutionaries' Brigade) is a rebel group that has been active during the Syrian civil war.[14] It was formed in Raqqa Governorate in September 2012.[15] Liwa Thuwwar al-Raqqa wants Syria to become an undivided civil democratic state.[15]
The group was allied with Jabhat al-Nusra in Raqqa city for a while in late 2013, but by January 2014 it had broken away from Jabhat al-Nusra and itself led the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the city.[1][15] After ISIL expelled Liwa Thuwwar al-Raqqa and other rebel groups from Raqqa city, Liwa Thuwwar al-Raqqa moved into the Raqqa Governorate countryside and allied itself with the Kurdish YPG.[15] In July 2014 the faction and 10 other groups threatened to leave Aleppo and Raqqa governorates if they were not aided by other rebels to fight ISIL.[16] In September 2014 Liwa Thuwwar al-Raqqa joined the Euphrates Volcano joint operations room.[15] In 2015, it participated in the YPG offensive towards the Syrian border city of Tell Abyad. In June, fighters from Liwa Thuwwar al-Raqqa were seen hoisting the Syrian rebel flag near the Turkish border, whilst the group was also fighting ISIL in the southern city of Ayn Issa, on the road to Raqqa itself. Liwa Thuwwar al-Raqqa was able to grow considerably in size because of the influx of both rebels from Turkey and locals who wanted to fight ISIL. The current size of the brigade is unknown, but numbers in the hundreds. In October 2015, the group stated it received military equipment from the United States in order to fight ISIL north of Raqqa. It has stated it intends to capture the city of Raqqa from ISIL.[12]
History
![]() | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (December 2015) |
See also
References
- ^ a b c Simon, Alex (5 March 2014). "Al-Tamimi: ISIS claiming control in Yarmouk 'publicity stunt'". Syria Direct. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ a b "Leader of Raqqa Rebels brigade killed". ARA News. 15 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
- ^ "Islamic State foiled in attempt to kidnap Syrian rebel leader in Turkey". The Guardian. 19 October 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
- ^ a b c "FSA fighting alongside Kobane Kurds". NOW. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
- ^ "Kobane battles reunified Kurds and Arabs: Rebel leader". ARA News. 8 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
- ^ "Syria's Raqqa in turmoil as violence increases". ARA News. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
- ^ "YPG and FSA form a joint military chamber to combat ISIS in Syria". ARA News. 12 September 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
- ^ a b "A new dialogue and collaboration in northern Syria between kurds and rebels". The Arab Chronicle. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ "Al Qaeda's Syrian Strategy". The Washington Institute. 10 October 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
- ^ Al-Tamimi, Aymenn Jawad (26 February 2014). "The Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham's dhimmi pact for the Christians of Raqqa province". Syria Comment. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
- ^ a b "Syria rebels struggle for control over ISIL-held Raqqa". ARA News. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
- ^ a b "FSA spokesman confirms aid for 'decisive battle to liberate Raqqa'". Syria Direct.
- ^ http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/syrian-kurds-look-take-raqqa-new-arab-force-allies-1064765056
- ^ Al-Tamimi, Aymenn Jawad (29 April 2014). "Key updates on Albukamal (Abu Kamal)". Brown Moses Blog. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
- ^ a b c d e Al-Tamimi, Aymenn Jawad (14 September 2015). "Liwa Thuwar al-Raqqa: History, analysis & interview". Syria Comment. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
- ^ "Rebels demand help as fighting rages against ISIS in Ghouta". The Daily Star. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.