List of armed factions in the Syrian Civil War

A number of states and armed groups have involved themselves in the Syrian civil war (2011–present) as belligerents. The main groups are the Syrian Arab Republic and allies, the Syrian opposition and allies, Al-Qaeda and affiliates, Islamic State, and the originally mostly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces.

Syrian Arab Republic and allies

A number of sources have emphasized that as of at least late-2015/early-2016 the Syrian Arab Republic was dependent on a mix of volunteers and militias, rather than the Syrian Armed Forces.^[1]^[2] Between 2016 and 2020, with the help of Russia and Iran, the Syrian Arab Armed Forces were rebuilt and united most of the armed militias.^[3]

Syrian Armed Forces

The Syrian Armed Forces are made up of the Syrian Arab Army (includes Republican Guard), Syrian Naval Forces, Syrian Air Forces and Syrian Air Defense Forces.^[4] Before the uprising and war broke out, the Syrian Armed Forces were estimated at 295,000 regular troops and 314,000 reservists.^[5] While the higher positions in the army were mostly occupied by Alawites, the ground troops were mostly made up of Sunnis, and once the uprisings began, the Syrian regime hesitated to employ these troops against the Sunni rebels.^[6] Therefore, the army relied on loyal elite units and Alawite militias such as the Shabiha.^[6] Due to defections following the uprisings, by the end of 2013 the number of regular troops had decreased to around 110,000.^[7] As of 2024, the Syrian Army was estimated at 169,000 active troops.^[8] Most of the divisions in the army are under-strength, but Russia has been assisting in the reconstruction and re-equipment of some divisions.^[9]

National Defense Forces

The Syrian NDF (Arabic: قوات الدفاع الوطني Quwāt ad-Difāʿ al-Watanī) was formed out of pro-government militias in 2013.^[10] The forces act in an infantry role, directly fighting against rebels on the ground and running counter-insurgency operations in coordination with the army, who provides them with logistical and artillery support. Many of the fighters are trained in Iran,^[11] and they receive their salaries and military equipment from the Syrian government.^[12] As of 2024, the NDF numbers around 50,000 troops.^[9] The forces have a 500-strong women's wing called "Lionesses of National Defense" which operates checkpoints.^[13] The NDF are mostly made up of Alawites,^[10] but many of the Syrian Christian militias (such as Sootoro in Al-Hasakah) also fight on the Syrian government's side to defend their ancient towns, villages and farmsteads from ISIL (see also Christian Militias in Syria).^[14]

Shabiha

The Shabiha (Levantine Arabic: شَبِّيحَة Šabbīḥa, pronounced [ʃabˈbiːħa]; also romanized Shabeeha or Shabbiha; lit. 'ghosts') are unofficial pro-government militias drawn largely from Syria's Alawite minority group. Since the uprising, the Baathist Syrian government has been accused of using Shabiha to break up protests and enforce laws in restive neighborhoods.^[15] As the protests escalated into an armed conflict, the opposition started using the term Shabiha to describe civilians they suspected of supporting Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian government and clashing with pro-opposition demonstrators.^[16] The opposition blames the Shabiha for the many violent excesses committed against anti-government protesters and opposition sympathizers,^[16] as well as looting and destruction.^[17]

The Shabiha phenomenon started in the 1980s, not as one specific group but as a number of criminal and semi-criminal groups affiliated with the Assad clan.^[6] Bassel al-Assad attempted to curtail their activities in the 1990s but did not fully succeed.^[6] The Shabiha have been described as "a notorious Alawite paramilitary, who are accused of acting as unofficial enforcers for Assad's government";^[18] "gunmen loyal to Assad",^[19] and, according to the Qatar-based Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, "semi-criminal gangs comprised of thugs close to the government".^[19] Despite the group's image as an Alawite militia, some Shabiha operating in Aleppo have been reported to be Sunnis.^[20]

Hezbollah

Hezbollah is an Iran-backed Shia armed group and political force based in Lebanon. On 25 May 2013, its leader Hassan Nasrallah confirmed that Hezbollah troops were fighting with the Syrian army against Islamic extremists and pledged that "his group will not allow Syrian militants to control areas that border Lebanon".^[21] In the televised address, he said, "If Syria falls in the hands of America, Israel and the takfiris, the people of our region will go into a dark period."^[22] He also called on Shiites and Hezbollah to protect the shrine of Sayida Zeinab.^[23] President Bashar al-Assad had denied earlier that May that there were foreign fighters, Arab or otherwise, fighting for the government in Syria.^[24]

Hezbollah's decision to aid the Syrian government is most likely due to the fact that they enjoy the protection of the government when it comes to the group's arms procurement and storage in Syria.^[7] Syria forms an important access corridor between Hezbollah in Lebanon and their supporter, Iran, and the survival of a regime that was friendly to Hezbollah was in the group's best interest.^[6]

In 2012 and 2013, Hezbollah was active in gaining control of territory in the Homs Governorate in Syria.^[25]^[23] By May 2013 the group was publicly collaborating with the Syrian Army^[26]^[22] and helping them to gain control of 60 percent of Al-Qusayr by May 14.^[26] In Lebanon, an increase in the funerals of Hezbollah fighters was reported, as well as the shelling of Hezbollah-controlled areas by Syrian rebels.^[26]

According to independent analysts, by the beginning of 2014, approximately 500 Hezbollah fighters had died in the Syrian conflict.^[27] In 2014, Nasrallah claimed the Hezbollah fighters had helped Assad take back control over the country, and that the Syrian regime was no longer in danger of being toppled.^[28] The current number of Hezbollah troops in Syria is estimated to be around 7000-8000.^[9]

Iran

Since the civil uprising phase of the Syrian civil war, Iran has provided the Syrian Arab Republic with financial, technical, and military support, including the training and sending of combat troops.^[29]^[30]^[31] Iran and Syria are close strategic allies, as Iran sees the survival of the Assad government as being crucial to its regional interests.^[31]^[32] Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, was reported to be vocally in favor of the Baathist government.^[30]

By December 2013, Iran was thought to have approximately 10,000 operatives in Syria.^[32] But according to Jubin Goodarzi, assistant professor and researcher at Webster University, Iran aided Baathist Syria with a limited number of deployed units and personnel, "at most in the hundreds ... and not in the thousands as opposition sources claimed".^[33] Lebanese Hezbollah fighters backed by Tehran have taken direct combat roles since 2012.^[32]^[34] In the summer of 2013, Iran and Hezbollah provided important battlefield support for Syrian forces, allowing them to make advances on the opposition.^[34] In 2014, coinciding with the peace talks at Geneva II, Iran has stepped up support for Syrian President Assad.^[32]^[34] The Syrian Minister of Finance and Economy stated more than 15 billion dollars had come from the Iranian government.^[35] Prior to his assassination, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps's Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani was in charge of Syrian President Assad's security portfolio and oversaw the arming and training of thousands of pro-government Shi'ite fighters.^[36]

By 2015, 328 IRGC troops, including several commanders, had reportedly been killed in the Syrian civil war since it began.^[37] As of 2024, the estimated number of Iranian troops in Syria is 1500.^[9]

Foreign Shia militias

Besides training and sending troops, Iran has also recruited Shia fighters from Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan to fight on behalf of the Syrian Arab Republic.^[38] The number of Afghans fighting in Syria has been estimated at "between 10,000 and 18,000" at its height, but is currently estimated between 500-1500.^[39] The main force composed of Afghan fighters is the liwa' fatimiyun (Fatemiyoun Brigade), which was found in late 2012.^[40]^[41] The number of Pakistani fighters is much lower, between 800 and 2500, and concentrated in the liwa' zaynabiyun (Zaynabiyun Brigade) formed in November 2015.^[38]^[42] Many or most of the fighters were refugees living in Iran, and survivors and defectors of the Fatemiyoun reported being coerced or bribed into joining the militia, and being sent to the most dangerous front lines with little to no training.^[43]

Russia

On 30 September 2015, Russia launched a military intervention in Syria to support the government of Bashar al-Assad in its fight against the Syrian opposition and Islamic State (IS).^[44]^[45] The Russian government and the Assad government had long been allies, and the fall of the regime would have meant the loss of an important Russian ally in the region.^[46] The Russian forces proved to be a deciding factor in the war, helping the Assad regime to stay in power.^[47] The Syrian war became an important testing ground and boost for Russian mercenary armies, such as the Wagner Group.^[46] In 2022, Russia withdrew most of their troops from Syria, to reinforce their army at the front in Ukraine.^[48] As of 2024, the estimated number of Russian troops in Syria is 4000.^[9]

In a March 2023 interview with Russian media, Assad stated that he would welcome more Russian troops and military bases in Syrian territory.^[49]

Syrian opposition and allies

Syrian National Coalition and Interim Government

Syrian National Council

Formed on 23 August 2011, the National Council is a coalition of anti-government groups, based in Turkey. The group includes signatories of the 2005 Damascus Declaration, the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, Kurdish and Assyrian factions, representatives of Alawi communities and Local Coordination Committees.^[50] The National Council seeks the end of Bashar al-Assad's rule and the establishment of a modern, civil, democratic state. SNC has links with the Free Syrian Army. The Kurdish parties eventually left the Council, after it resisted their demands for political decentralisation.^[50]

Syrian National Coalition

On 11 November 2012 in Doha, the National Council and other opposition groups united as the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces.^[51] The Syrian National Council has 22 out of 60 seats of the Syrian National Coalition.^[52] The following day, it was recognised as the legitimate government of Syria by numerous Arab Gulf states, and later by the US, France, Turkey, Spain and the UK as well.^[53]

Delegates to the Coalition's leadership council are to include women and representatives of religious and ethnic minorities, including Alawites. The military council will reportedly include the Free Syrian Army.^[54] The main aims of the National Coalition are replacing the Bashar al-Assad government and "its symbols and pillars of support", "dismantling the security services", unifying and supporting the Free Syrian Army, refusing dialogue and negotiation with the al-Assad government, and "holding accountable those responsible for killing Syrians, destroying [Syria], and displacing [Syrians]."^[55]

The NC was criticised for their weak political and organisational dynamics, caused by internal power conflicts.^[50] The NC's main function was to coordinate the humanitarian assistance, instead of forming a real political leadership.^[50]

Interim Government

In 2013, after pressure from France, Turkey and Qatar, the Syrian National Coalition formed the Syrian Interim Government (SIG), in order to rule the territories which had been liberated from the regime.^[56]^[50] The SIG was created to give the opposition movement more legitimacy 'on the ground', by offering humanitarian assistance and governance.^[50] The minister of defence was to be chosen by the Free Syrian Army.^[57] The interim government's headquarters in Syria are located in the city of Azaz in Aleppo Governorate.^[58]^[59] As of June 2019 its prime minister is Abdurrahman Mustafa and as of July 2021 its president is Salem al-Meslet.

Free Syrian Army and affiliate groups

The formation of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) was announced on 29 July 2011 by a group of defecting Syrian Army officers, encouraging others to defect to defend civilian protesters from violence by the state and effect government change.^[60] By December 2011, estimates of the number of defectors to the FSA ranged from 1,000 to over 25,000.^[61] The group received weaponry, provisions and money from regional states such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, and from the US.^[62] The FSA, initially "headquartered" in Turkey, moved its headquarters to northern Syria in September 2012, and currently functions more as an umbrella organisation than a traditional military chain of command.^[63]^[62]

The group started out with guerilla-style raids and ambushes, but as they gathered more members more complex assault tactics were used.^[62]

The designation of the FSA by the West as a moderate opposition faction has allowed it, under the CIA-run programmes,^[64]^[65] to receive sophisticated weaponry and other military support from the U.S., Turkey and some Gulf countries.^[66] However, the aid which was coming in from other countries did not flow through a centralised command but in a fragmented way, based on personal contacts, which led to internal rivalries within the FSA.^[62]

Abu Yusaf, a commander of the Islamic State (IS), claimed in August 2014 that many of the FSA members who had been trained by United States' and Turkish and Arab military officers ended up joining IS.^[67] However, by September 2014 the Free Syrian Army was joining an alliance and common front with Kurdish militias including the YPG to fight IS.^[68]

In December 2015, according to the American Institute for the Study of War, groups identifying as FSA were still present around Aleppo and Hama and in southern Syria, and the FSA was still "the biggest and most secular of the rebel groups."^[69] However, the group continued to suffer losses from fighters who joined the Syrian Democratic Forces or IS.^[70]

After the Turkish military intervention in Syria in 2016, and as other countries began to scale back their involvement, the FSA became more dependent on Turkish help.^[71] For the FSA, Turkey was a sanctuary and a source of supplies. From late August 2016, the Turkish government assembled a new coalition of Syrian rebel groups, including many that were in the FSA. Often referred to as the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (TFSA), this force would adopt the name Syrian National Army in 2017.^[72]^[73]

By March 2017, the FSA together with Kurdish militias finished clearing the Islamic State from the north of Syria.^[74]

The FSA currently works in the 55 km area, alongside the border with Iraq and Jordan to prevent drug trafficking and IS activity in the region.^[75]^[76]

Syrian National Army

On 30 December 2017, at least 30 factions operating under the banner of the Syrian Interim Government merged in a unified armed group after four months of preparations. Jawad Abu Hatab, the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister, announced the forming of the Syrian National Army after meeting with rebel commanders in the town of Azaz. The newly formed body claimed to have 22,000 fighters, many of them trained and equipped by Turkey.^[77] Though concentrated in Turkish-occupied areas, originally as a part of Operation Euphrates Shield,^[78] the SNA also established a presence in the Idlib Governorate during the 2019 northwestern Syria offensive,^[79]^[80]^[78] and consolidated its presence when the National Front for Liberation joined the SNA on 4 October 2019.

The official aims of the group are to assist the Republic of Turkey in creating a "safe zone" in Syria, and to establish a National Army.^[81] They are strong opponents of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF),^[82]^[83] and have also fought the Islamic State (ISIL) and, to a lesser extent, the Baathist Syrian government's Syrian Arab Army.^[78] The SNA has a law enforcement equivalent, the Free Police, which is also backed by Turkey. The SNA currently controls the Afrin area, and nearby areas of Syria bordering Turkey, including the town of Jarabalus.^[84] They are currently estimated to have around 70,000 fighters, and have been involved in clashes with the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham since 2022.^[9]^[84]

National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change

Formed in 2011 and based in Damascus, the National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change is an opposition bloc consisting of 13 left-wing and Arab nationalist political parties and "independent political and youth activists".^[85]^[50] It has been defined by Reuters as the internal opposition's main umbrella group.^[86] In 2011, the group organised its first conference, opposing militarisation, internationalisation and sectarianisation of the uprising.^[50] Initially, the NCC had several Kurdish political parties as members, but all except for the Democratic Union Party left in October 2011 to join the Kurdish National Council.^[87]

Relations with other Syrian political opposition groups are generally poor. In 2011, the on-the-ground protest movement rejected the NCC in favour of the Syrian National Council (SNC).^[50] The Syrian Revolution General Commission, the Local Coordination Committees of Syria and the Supreme Council of the Syrian Revolution oppose the NCC' calls to dialogue with the Baathist government.^[88] Some of the organisations have accused the NCC of being a "front organisation" for Bashar al-Assad's government and some of its members of being ex-government insiders.^[89] In September 2012, the SNC reaffirmed that despite broadening its membership, it would not join with "currents close to [the] NCC".^[90] Despite the NCC recognising the Free Syrian Army on 23 September 2012,^[91] the FSA has dismissed the NCC as an extension of the government, stating that "this opposition is just the other face of the same coin".^[86]

In June 2023, the NCC came to an agreement with the Syrian Democratic Council and the two groups published a "consensus document" in which they stated their shared goals and visions for the future of Syria.^[92] These goals include the drafting of a new constitution, the rejection of separatist and divisive groups and the establishment of one united national democratic front.^[92]

Al-Qaeda and affiliates

Al-Qaeda is a jihadist militant group that was found in 1988 in Pakistan by Osama Bin Laden.^[93] Several groups aligned with Al-Qaeda have become armed actors in the Syrian Civil War.

Al-Nusra Front / Jabhat Fateh al-Sham

Prior to the expansion of ISIL, al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate,^[94] the al-Nusra Front was often considered to be the most aggressive and violent part of the opposition.^[95] Being responsible for over 50 suicide bombings, including several deadly explosions in Damascus in 2011 and 2012, it was recognized as a terrorist organization by the Syrian Arab Republic and was designated as such by United States in December 2012.^[96] In April 2013, the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq released an audio statement announcing that al-Nusra Front is its branch in Syria.^[97] The leader of al-Nusra, Abu Mohammad al-Julani, said that the group would not merge with the Islamic State of Iraq but would still maintain allegiance to Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of al-Qaeda.^[98] From 2012 to 2016, the estimated manpower of al-Nusra Front was approximately 6,000–10,000 people, including many foreign fighters.^[99]^[100]^[101]

The relationship between the al-Nusra Front and the indigenous Syrian opposition was tense, even though al-Nusra has fought alongside the FSA in several battles and some FSA fighters defected to the al-Nusra Front.^[103] The Mujahideen's strict religious views and willingness to impose sharia law disturbed many Syrians.^[104] Some rebel commanders have accused foreign jihadists of "stealing the revolution", robbing Syrian factories and displaying religious intolerance.^[105]

The al-Nusra Front renamed itself Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (JFS) in June 2016. In 2017, the group merged together with other groups into Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham

In January 2017, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) was formed when al-Nusra joined with other Salafi factions Ansar al-Din Front, Jaysh al-Sunna, the Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement and Liwa al-Haqq. (The Ansar al-Din Front and the Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement have since split off).^[106]^[107] The newly-formed HTS went on to gain more followers from defectors from Ahrar al-Sham. HTS fighters went after IS militants who fled to Idlib after their defeat and cracked down on Hurras al-Din, another militant group with ties to al-Qaeda.^[108]

In November 2017, HTS created the Syrian Salvation government, an alternative government of the Syrian Opposition which currently governs parts of the Idlib Governorate. It is seen as illegitimate by the opposition's main Syrian Interim Government.^[109] Initially, the Salvation government harshly enforced a strict interpretation of Islamic law, but in recent years the group has become more tolerant.^[108] The religious police has been disbanded and the HTS leader is advocating against the US designation of the group as a terrorist organisation, calling it "unfair".^[108] Contrary to al-Qaeda, HTS does not strive to create a global caliphate but is more locally oriented, with its primary objective being the establishment of Islamic rule in Syria through “toppling the criminal [Assad] regime and expelling the Iranian militias."^[110] The group gains money through spoils captured from the regime and opposition factions, prisoner exchange deals, the plunder of historical sites and the selling of artifacts, the claiming of private property from Christians and government supporters, and through taxes.^[111]

The current leader of HTS is Abu Mohammad al-Julani. The group had an estimated 10,000 members in 2024.^[9] HTS has denied being part of al-Qaeda and said in a statement that it is "an independent entity and not an extension of previous organisations or factions".^[112] The group has been involved in fierce clashes with the Syrian National Army in the north of Syria since 2022.^[84] In the beginning of 2024, protests broke out across Idlib province against HTS, their mismanagement of the local economy, and the detention and torture of political prisoners.^[113]

Hurras al-Din

Tanzim Hurras al-Din is a Salafi Jihadist group that was formed as a merger between several al-Qaeda aligned factions in February 2018.^[114] The head of the group, Abu Humam al-Shami, is a Syrian who fought with al-Qaeda in Afghanistan during the 1990s and previously with the al-Nusra Front, but who left when the group broke official ties with al-Qaeda.^[115]^[116] Since 2020, Hurras al-Din has not been officially endorsed by al-Qaeda.^[114] The group is currently estimated to have around 2500 fighters, an estimated half of whom are foreign fighters, a much higher percentage than in HTS.^[9]^[115]

Islamic State

The group called Dā'ash or the Islamic State (abbrv. IS, ISIL or ISIS), began to make rapid military gains in Northern Syria starting in April 2013 and as of mid-2014 controlled large parts of that region, where the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights described it as "the strongest group".^[117] The group strives to establish a global caliphate, by waging war on the "disbelievers".^[118] It has imposed strict Sharia law over land that it controls. The group was found by the Iraqi fighter Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and had an estimated 7,000 fighters in Syria, including many non-Syrians, by the end of 2013.^[119] IS was originally affiliated with al-Qaeda, until al-Qaeda officially severed ties with the group in early 2014.^[119]

The group gathered international attention for its gruesome abuses of human rights and for not tolerating non-Islamist militia groups, foreign journalists or aid workers, whose members it has expelled, imprisoned, or executed.^[120]^[121] Just across the border from Syria in Iraq, IS has carried out a genocide of the Yazidi people, killing hundreds of men, enslaving thousands of women and children and expelling the Yazidis from their homeland.^[122]

By summer 2014, ISIL controlled a third of Syria.^[123] It established itself as the dominant force of Syrian opposition, defeating Jabhat al-Nusra in Deir Ezzor Governorate and claiming control over most of Syria's oil and gas production.^[123] Mostly, the group was engaging in offensives against the Syrian Armed Forces and the Free Syrian Army, but they also targeted the Syrian Democratic Forces.^[124] ISIL have planted bombs in the ancient city area of Palmyra, which is counted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it is home to some of the most extensive and best-preserved ancient Roman ruins in the world.^[125] Having lost nearly half of their territory in Iraq between 2014 and 2016, some Islamic State leaders in Iraq moved into Syria, further destabilising the region.^[126]

Starting in 2014, an international coalition of states intervened against ISIL. A number of countries, including some individual NATO members, participated in air operations in Syria that came to be overseen by the Combined Joint Task Force, set up by the US Central Command to coordinate military efforts against ISIL pursuant to their collectively undertaken commitments, including those of 3 December 2014.^[127] Those who have conducted airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.^[128] Some members are involved in the conflict beyond combating ISIL; Turkey has been accused of fighting against Kurdish forces in Syria and Iraq, including intelligence collaborations with ISIL in some cases.^[129] As of December 2017, Russia declared ISIL to be totally defeated within Syria.^[130] At the end of 2018, the US declared it defeated, although its UK and German allies disagreed.^[131]^[132] On 23 March 2019 the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces declared ISIS Defeated, after seizing their last enclave of territory.^[133] In October 2019, the US assassinated IS leader al-Baghdadi.^[134]^[135] ISIL named Abu Ibrahim al Hashimi al-Qurayshi as Baghdadi's successor.^[136] As of 2024, ISIL continues to be active militarily in Northeast Syria, although it has lost almost all of its territory.^[137] Instead, most of the group's activity nowadays is carried out by affiliate branches in Afghanistan, Pakistan and various countries in Africa.^[138] Some international forces have remained in Syria to carry out missions against IS members and to prevent a resurgence of the movement.^[139]

AANES

The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, also known as Rojava, is a de facto autonomous region in northeastern Syria.^[140]^[141] It consists of self-governing sub-regions in the areas of Afrin, Jazira, Euphrates, Raqqa, Tabqa, Manbij, and Deir Ez-Zor.^[140]^[142] The region gained its de facto autonomy in 2012 in the context of the ongoing Rojava conflict and the wider Syrian civil war, in which its official military force, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has taken part.^[143]^[144] The Syrian Democratic Council is the political wing of the Syrian Democratic Forces and serves as the legislative government of the AANES.

Syrian Democratic Council

The Syrian Democratic Council was established on 10 December 2015 in al-Malikiyah.^[145] It was co-founded by prominent human rights activist Haytham Manna and was intended as the political wing of the Syrian Democratic Forces. The council includes more than a dozen blocs and coalitions that support federalism in Syria, including the Movement for a Democratic Society, the Kurdish National Alliance in Syria, the Law–Citizenship–Rights Movement, and since September 2016, the Syria's Tomorrow Movement. In March 2016 the Council declared the creation of an autonomous federation in Northeast Syria and in August that year they opened a public office in al-Hasakah.^[146]^[147]

The Syrian Democratic Council was excluded from the international Geneva III peace talks on Syria in March 2016, as well as other talks since, because of opposition from the Turkish state.

Syrian Democratic Forces

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are an alliance of mainly Kurdish but also Arab, Syriac-Assyrian, and Turkmen militias with mainly left-wing and democratic confederalist political leanings. They are opposed to the Assad government, but have directed most of their efforts against Al-Nusra Front and ISIL.

The group formed in December 2015, led primarily by the predominantly Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). Estimates of its size range from 55,000^[148] to 80,000 fighters.^[149] While largely Kurdish, it is estimated that about 40% of the fighters are non-Kurdish.^[150] Kurds – mostly Sunni Muslims, with a small minority of Yezidis – represented 10% of Syria's population at the start of the uprising in 2011. They had suffered from decades of discrimination and neglect, being deprived of basic civil, cultural, economic, and social rights.^[151]^: 7 When protests began, Assad's government finally granted citizenship to an estimated 200,000 stateless Kurds, in an effort to try and neutralize potential Kurdish opposition.^[152] Despite this concession, most Kurds remain opposed to the government, hoping instead for a more decentralized Syria based on federalism.^[153] The Syriac Military Council, like many Syriac-Assyrian militias (such as Khabour Guards, Nattoreh, and Sutoro), originally formed to defend Assyrian villages, but joined the Kurdish forces to retake Hasakah from ISIS in late 2015^[154] The Female Protection Forces of the Land Between the Two Rivers is an all-female force of Assyrian fighters in north east Syria fighting ISIS alongside other Assyrian and Kurdish units.^[155]

The Syrian Democratic Forces have received military and economic support from the US, which regards the group as an important ally in their fight against IS.^[156]

Opposing forces

Syrian Arab Republic and allies Russia–Syria–Iran–Iraq coalition	Syrian opposition and allies	Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and allies	Salafi Jihadist organisations
Syrian government forces Syrian Armed Forces Syrian Arab Army Republican Guard 100th Artillery Regiment 101st Security Regiment 102nd Security Regiment 103rd Commando Brigade Syrian Marines 104th Airborne Brigade 105th Mechanized Brigade 107th Artillery Regiment 108th Armoured Regiment 109th Armoured Regiment 124th Special Forces Brigade 151th Mechanized Regiment 152nd Mechanized Regiment 800th Regiment Lionesses of Defence Armoured Battalion Popular Security and Support Forces 30th Division^[157] Quwat al-Ghadab volunteers 4th Armoured Division 38th Armoured Brigade 40th Armoured Brigade 41st Armoured Brigade 42nd Armoured Brigade 138th Mechanized Brigade 154th Artillery Regiment 333rd Infantry Regiment 550th SF Regiment 555th SF (airborne) Regiment 666th Infantry Regiment Al-Imam Hussein Brigade Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba Syrian-wing^[158] Protective Lions Special Forces Command Tiger Forces Panther Forces Brigade Cheetah Forces Brigade Cheetah Forces Team 3 Cheetah Forces Team 6 Leopard Forces Brigade Termah (or Tarmeh) Group/Regiment Taha Group Yarrob Group/Regiment Shaheen Group/Regiment^[159] Shabaat Group/Regiment Al Hawarith Group/Regiment (Navaris Group)^[160]^{[better source needed]} Zaydar Group/Regiment Al Shabbour Group/Regiment Al-Komeet Group/Regiment^[161] Al-Luyouth Group/Regiment (Shadi Group)^[160]^{[better source needed]} Hayder Group/Regiment Raqqa Hawks Brigade^[162]^[163] 629th Battalion Desert Hawks Brigade 1st Corps 5th Mechanized Division 12th Armoured Brigade 38th Infantry Brigade 59th Commando Battalion 175th Artillery Regiment 6th Armoured Division 55th Mechanized Brigade 45th Special Forces Regiment 7th Mechanized Division 78th Armoured Brigade 70th Artillery Brigade 9th Armoured Division 52nd Mechanized Brigade 89th Artillery Brigade 15th Special Forces Division 2nd Corps 1st Armoured Division 171st Infantry Brigade 141st Artillery Regiment 167th Anti Tank Regiment 2nd Armoured Division 73rd Infantry Brigade 826th Coastal Regiment 10th Mechanized Division 122nd Artillery Regiment 14th Special Forces Division 3rd Corps 3rd Armoured Division 21st Mechanized Brigade 155th Missile Brigade Qalamoun Shield Forces Storming Battalions Rocket Battalion 8th Armoured Division 45th Artillery Regiment 45th Mechanized Brigade 11th Armoured Division 87th Mechanized Brigade 17th Division 137th Mechanized Brigade 93rd Armored Brigade 54th Special Forces Regiment 18th Armoured Division 120th Mechanized Brigade 64th Artillery Regiment Syrian Border Guard Forces Infantry Border Guard Brigade 99th Army Regiment 111th Army Regiment 5th Regiment 6th Regiment 8th Regiment 10th Regiment 11th Regiment 12th Regiment Lion Shield Forces ISIS Hunters^[164]^[165] Martyr or Victory Ba'ath Legion, formed from Ba'ath Brigades volunteers Homeland Shield Forces Elite Light Infantry Brigade 5th Assault Corps 1st Assault Brigade 2nd Assault Brigade 3rd Assault Brigade 4th Assault Brigade Ba'ath Brigades 5th Assault Brigade 6th Assault Brigade 7th Assault Brigade 8th Assault Brigade Liwa al-Quds^[166] Lions of al-Quds Battalion^[166] Defenders of Aleppo Battalion Deterrence Battalion Lions of al-Shahba Battalion^[167] 103rd and 148th Artillery Brigades Syrian Arab Air Force 12th Attack Squadron (MiG-21MF/UM)^[168] 24th Helicopter Brigade (Mi-8)^[168] 4th Flying Training Squadron Syrian Air Defense Force Syrian Arab Navy National Defence Forces Lijan Militias^[169] Golan Regiment Fist Battalion Second Battalion Third Battalion National Shield of the Patriotic Forces^[170] Quneitra Hawks Brigade forces from Khan Arnabah Al-Quneitra Hawks Brigade Ta'ie Tribal Militias Abu Jabal Brigade Free Patriots Brigade Saidnaya NDF Militias Taybat al-Imam unit Hama City unit Units from Suqaylabia Units from Muhrada Units from Masyaf As-Suwayda NDF volunteers Palmyrene NDF Garrison Hermon Regiment Loyalist Tribal Militias^[171] Quwat Dir' al-Watan^[172] Local Defence Forces Fawj Shuhada Nubl wa al-Zahraa Qamr Bani Hashim Division 313 Force Special Assigments Battalion Baqir Brigade Lions of Hussein^[173] Tribes of Manbij Regiment Safira Regiment Nayrab Battalion – Special Operations Militias from Nubl and al-Zahraa^[174] Military Intelligence Directorate Military Security Shield Forces Military Security Falcons Southern Shield Brigade al-Assad Shield Forces Desert Commandos Regiment Lions of Hamidiya Forces of the Fighters of the Tribes Falcons of the Euphrates Popular Resistance of the Eastern Region Syrian Communist Party (Bakdash) Syrian Communist Party (Unified) Syrian Resistance^[175] Falcons of the Jazira and Euphrates^[176] Air Force Intelligence Directorate Guardians of the Dawn Lions of the Cherubim Earthquake of Jobar Ararat Group Lions of the Valley Intervention Regiment Lions of Dwel’a Khaybar Brigade^[177] Nusur Homs Regiment^[178] Unit 333 Sahabat Group Shabiha Police forces Ministry of Interior Syrian Police Political Security Directorate General Intelligence Directorate Criminal Security Directorate Syrian Special Mission Forces Allied armed groups: Popular Resistance in Hasakah Popular Resistance in Manbij SSNP^[179]^[180] Eagles of the Whirlwind Al-Suqaylabiyah Unit^{[citation needed]} Mahardah Unit^{[citation needed]} Arab Nationalist Guard^[181]^[182] Army of Monotheists^[179] Rijal al-Karama^[183] Forces of Abu Ibrahim^[184] Bayraq al-Suwayda^[185] Mountain Brigade Rocks of Urman Battalion^[186] Druze Militias Sootoro People's Army^[187] Loyalist Army^[188] al-Jabal Brigade^[189] Jalamid Urman Brigade al-Zaghaba Ammar bin Yasir al-Suqur al-Basha Arab Socialist Movement^{[citation needed]} Al-Awda (Allegedly) Homeland Protection Forces^[190] Saladin Brigade^[191] Jaafariyah Force^[192] Sayyida al Raqqia Brigade^[192] al-Mukhtar al-Thiqfi Brigade^[192] Shield of the Coast^[193] Shield of the Lion's Lair^[193] Brigades of the Den^[194]^[195] al-Hosn^[193] al-Berri tribe militias^[196]^[197] Tayy tribe militias^[198] Raqqawi Tribe Militias al-Jihesh Tribe Militias^[199] al-Jabalawi Battalion Liwa Sayf al-Mahdi Saraya al-Areen Kata’ib Humat al-Diyar^[200] Harakat Abna al-Jazeera wal Furat Palestinian Militias as-Sa'iqa^[201] PFLP–GC^[202] Jihad Jibril Brigades Popular Committee-Yarmouk Refugee Camp Galilee Forces^[203] Fatah al-Intifada^[204] Palestine Liberation Army^[205] Palestinian Islamic Jihad^[206] Al-Quds Brigades^{[citation needed]} Free Palestine Movement^[207] PPSF^[208] Palestinian People's Party^[209] Liwa Fatemiyoun^[210] Hazrat-e Abolfazl Brigade^[211] Liwa Zainebiyoun^[212] Mukhtar Army Return Forces Al-Mukhtar Brigades Syrian National Resistance^[213]^[214] Kafr Saghir Martyrs Brigade (unclear) Liwa Abu al-Fadhal al-Abbas^[215] Far-Right Volunteers^[216] Russian Imperial Movement^[217] Russian Imperial Legion Falanga volunteers^[218] Third Way Greek nationalists^[219] Golden Dawn Mavros Krinos^[220] Slavonic Corps^[221]^[222] ENOT Corp^[223] 12th Peacekeeping Brigade LAAG^[224] Fulfilled Legion^[225] Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Lebanon Region^[226] Arab Unification Party^[227] Amal Movement^[228] (denied by Amal)^[229]^[230] Hezbollah Redwan Force^[231] Unit 910^[232] Hezbollah Rocket Division^{[citation needed]} 45th independent SF Regiment 47th independent SF Regiment 53rd independent SF Regiment 54th independent SF Regiment^[233] Lebanese Resistance Brigades Liwa Dhu al-Fiqar Homeland Shield Brigade Leopards of Homs Liwa al-Imam al-Hussein Syrian Hezbollah Quwat al-Ridha^[234]^[235] Liwa al-Imam al-Mahdi^[236] National Ideological Resistance^[237]^[238]^[235] Imam al-Hujja Regiment^[235] Soldiers of the Mahdi^[235] Al-Ghalibun^[239] Saryat al-Shaheed Abu Yasir^[240] Saryat al-'Ishq^[240] Kashafat al-Wilaya^[240] Imam al-Mahdi Scouts^[240]^[235] Fatima al-Zahara Regiment^[240] Nakhsa^[241] Iran^[242]^[243]^[244] Iranian Armed Forces IRGC^[245] Quds Force^[246] Basij^[247]^[248]^[249] 17th Ali ibn Abi Taleb Division^[211] IRGC Ground Forces Saberin Unit^[250] 110th Salman Farsi Special Operations Brigade^[251] 25th Karbala Division^[252] Imam Sajjad Takavar Brigade of Kazerun^[253] Isfahan division 102nd Imam Hossein Battalion Syrian auxiliaries 313 Battalion^[254] Ali Sultan Battalion^[255] Liwa al-Mukhtar al-Thiqfi^[256] Ruhollah Formations Alborz Division Iranian Army Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces 65th Airborne Special Forces Brigade^[257] Iranian Air Force^{[citation needed]} Russia^[258] Russian Armed Forces Russian Air Force Russian Navy Russian Naval Infantry^[259] Black Sea Fleet Caspian Flotilla^[260] Russian Aerospace Forces General Staff GRU Spetsnaz GRU^[261] 431st Naval Reconnaissance Spetsnaz Point^[261] Special Operations Command Special Operations Forces^[261]^[262]^[263] Russian Ground Forces 29th Combined Arms Army 200th Artillery Brigade^[264] Military Police 2nd Guards Motor Rifle Division^[265] 74th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade^{[citation needed]} Russian Engineer Troops Russian Airborne Forces 31st Guards Air Assault Brigade^[266] 56th Guards Air Assault Regiment^{[citation needed]} Federal Security Service Spetsgruppa "K" advisors^[267] Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Kadyrovites Wagner Group^[268] 5 Storm unit^[269] DShRG Rusich Interbrigades^[270] "Thorbrandr" (Scandinavian volunteers)^[271] Popular Mobilization Forces Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada Badr Organization^[272] Forces of Martyr Muhammed Baqir al-Sadr^[273] Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq Kafeel Zainab Brigade^[274] Haidar al-Karar Brigades^[272] Kata'ib Hezbollah^[275] Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba Golan Liberation Brigade^[276] Ammar ibn Yasir Brigade^[277] Peace Companies^[278] Kata'ib al-Imam Ali Iraqi Liberation Movement (Harakat al-Abdal)^[279]^[280] Force 313^[280] Promised Day Brigade Zulfiqar Brigade^[281]^[282] Saraya al-Khorasani^[283] Saraya al-Jihad^[284] Dir’ al Wilaya Brigades^[279] Saraya Ansar al-Aqeeda^[285] Ansar Allah al Awfiya in Iraq and Syria^[286] Jihad Companies^[286] Liwa'a Zulfiqar^[287] Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas Forces^[288] Jaysh al-Mu'ammal^[289] Armament support: Russia^[290]^[291] Iran^[292] China^[293] Facility support: Iraq (2013)^[294] Iraq (limited airstrikes on ISIL in eastern Syria, 2017) Iraqi Armed Forces Iraqi Air Force	Syrian National Army Free Syrian Army 1st Legion Hazzm Movement Muntasir Billah Brigade^{[citation needed]} Ahrar al-Sharqiya^[295] Arab Ahwaz Brigade Brigade 123 Badr Martyrs' Battalion Jaysh al-Nukhba Anwar al-Hak Brigade^[296] Mimati battalion^[297] Army of the East^{[citation needed]} Samarkand Brigade Sultan Suleyman Shah Brigade Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror Brigade Sham Legion^[298] Martyrs of Islam Brigade Central Division^[299] Suyuf al-Shahba Brigade 20th Division Commandos of Islam Brigade 2nd Legion Sultan Murad Division Alparslan Special Forces Al-Moutasem Brigade^{[citation needed]} Elite Division Men of War Brigade 3rd Legion Conquest Brigade Muthanna ibn Haritha Battalion Ghuraba al-Sham Battalion Dir al-Wafa Battalion^{[citation needed]} Jund al-Islam Brigade^{[citation needed]} Suyuf al-Sham^{[citation needed]} Sajidun^{[citation needed]} Levant Front Ahrar al-Sham 19th Division 32nd Division^[300] Revolutionaries of Atarib Northern Storm Brigade^[301] Jaysh al-Shamal^[302] Brigade of Conquest Al-hamza Battalion Sword of the Levant Brigade Northern Army Soldiers of Islam Brigade Soldiers of Levant Brigade Mount Turkmen Brigade Thuwar al Sham Battalion Joint Defence Alliance^[303] Glory Corps^[304] Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement^[305] Levant Revolutionaries Battalion Banners of Islam Movement Ahl al Diyar Qamishli Shield Afrin Shield Tajama a-Thuwar al-Kurd Mustafa Brigade Northern Hawks Brigade Vakkas Brigade Conqueror Lions Brigade Resolute Storm Brigade Sultan Othman Brigade 5th Regiment Second Army Justice Union National Front for Liberation Free Idlib Army^[306]^{[better source needed]} 13th Division Jabhat Thuwar Saraqib^[307]^[308] Northern Division Knights of Justice Brigade Mountain Hawks Brigade Free Men of the East Brigade^[309] 1st Coastal Division 2nd Army^[310]^{[self-published source?]} 46th Division 312th Division 314th Company Lightning Battalion^{[citation needed]} 2nd Coastal Division Jaysh al-Ahrar^[311] Jaysh al-Nasr^[312] al-Adiyat brigade^[313] Ahrar Darayya^[314] Suqour al-Sham Brigades Islamic Freedom Brigade^[315] Damascus Gathering Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib Battalions^[316] Brigades and Battalions to Unite the Capital Miqdad ibn Amr Brigade Unit 82 SWAT Forces Free Hayan Brigade Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah Battalion 23rd Division^[317] Syrian Liberation Front Katibat al-'Iqaab^[318] Sheikh Fadel al-Akel Katibat al-Bayia Lillah Katibat Usud al-Tawheed Liwa al-Adiyat Martyr Abu Omar Battalion Al-Tawhid Brigade Free North Brigade^{[citation needed]} Qabda al-Shamal Battalion Imam Ali Battalion^[319] Darat Izza Brigade^{[citation needed]} Fursan al Jabal Brigade^{[citation needed]} Martyr Ibraheem Afesh Battalion Alwiya al-Furqan Farouq Brigades Regiment 777 Omar al-Farouq Brigade Saladin Ayubi Brigade Jabhat Ghuraba al-Sham^[320] Jaysh al-Izza Victory Brigade^[321] Liwa Ahrar Souriya^{[citation needed]} Syrian Turkmen Brigades Sultan Malik-Shah Brigade^[322] Muntasar Billah Brigade^[323] Southern Front Revolutionary Army^{[citation needed]} Yarmouk Army Mu'tazz Billah Brigade Alliance of Southern Forces^[324] Omari Brigades 18 March Division Engineering and Rocket Battalion 46th infantry division Southern Alliance^[325] Syrian Revolutionaries Front^[326] Idlib Military Council Khalid ibn al-Walid Brigade Syrian Martyrs' Brigades^{[citation needed]} Idlib Martyrs' Brigade^[327] 406th Infantry Division^[328] Lions of Sunna Brigade First Corps Youth of Sunna Forces Army of the South^[329]^{[better source needed]} Jaysh al-Ababil^[330]^{[better source needed]} Alawiyat al Qasioun Alawiyat jidor horan Revolutionary Army of the Jidor Area Holding Fast Operations Room al-Hara Military Council Tasil Military Council Swords of Truth Room Liwa Ahrar Qita Manifest Victory Operations Room Aligned Factions of the Eastern Region First Army Hawks of the South^[331] Daraa Military Council Quneitra Military Council Tawhid Kata’ib Horan^[332] Hamza Division Damascus Military Council Revolutionary Commando Army^[333] Lions of the East Army Forces of Martyr Ahmad al-Abdo Army of Free Tribes Ahrar al-Jazeera^{[citation needed]} Ahfad al-Rasul Brigades Ummah Brigade^{[citation needed]} Syrian Salvation Front^{[citation needed]} Free Zawiya Union Liwa Sham al-Rasul Liwa al-Asifa Gathering of Revolutionaries of Mahajah^[334] Liwa Omar al-Mukhtar Liwa Muhammad ibn Abdullah Liwa al-Fatah 404 Lions of Golan Division^[335] Brigades and Battalions of the Unification Army Martyrs of Dignity Brigade Free Men of Deir Makar Brigade Norsur Artuz Brigade Strangers of the Countryside Brigade Aisha, Mother of Believers, Battalion Neighbourhoods of Jihad Battalion Syrian Front for Liberation Al-Jazeera–Euphrates Liberation Front (FAEL)^[336] SRCC^{[citation needed]} 5th Corps (Syrian rebel group) 21st Combined Force Fastaqim Union Army of Mujahideen^[337]^{[better source needed]} Azadî Battalion^[338] Atarib Martyrs Brigade Islamic Front Jaysh al-Islam Military Council of Damascus and its Suburbs^{[citation needed]} Kurdish Islamic Front^{[citation needed]} Liwa al-Haqq National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces^{[citation needed]} 3rd Infantry Division 4th Infantry Division 5th Commando Division 7th Division 11th Division Liwa Jund al-Rahman Liwa Chouhada' Deïr ez-Zor Liwa al-Khadra' Liwa al-Abbas Liwa al-Qadisiya Liwa al-Muhajirin ila Allah Lions of Al Jazeera Harakat Abna' al-Islam Jaysh Al-Tawhid Kata'ib al-Sa’iqa SRGC 313th Brigade Syrian Islamic Front Ansar al-Sham^[339] Fatah Halab^[340] Falcons of al-Ghab^[341] Liwa al-Haqq Katibat al-Bara'^{[citation needed]} Katibat Saraya al-Furat^{[citation needed]} Free Officers Movement Aleppo Revolutionary Council Jaysh Halab Abu Amara Battalions Ashida'a Mujahideen Brigade 1st Regiment Al-Safwa Islamic Battalions Jaysh al-Ummah Syrian Islamic Liberation Front UMCEG Ajnad al-Sham Islamic Union Al-Habib al-Mustafa Brigade al-Rahman Legion Al-Bara Brigade Glory Brigades Abu Musa al-Shari Brigade Liwa Homs al-Adiya Mashaal Tammo Brigade Ayad al-Fahri Battalion Hawar Kilis Operations Room Authenticity and Development Front Unification Army^[342] The White Shroud Liwa al-Mujahid Omar al-Mukhtar Liwa al-Qadisiya al-Islamiyya Tawhid Army^[343] Tajamuu Alwiyat al-Iman Billah Liwa Hamah al-Aqidah Lions of Islam Brigade Talbisah Brigade Falcons of Talbisah Brigade Muawiyah Ibn Abi Sufyan Brigade Sword of Islam Battalion Tajamuu Alwiyat wa Kataib Suyuf al-Haq Jaysh Ahl as-Sunna wa-l-Jama’a Liwa al-Athar Liwa Usud as-Sunna Liwa Ahl al-Raya Kataib Abd al-Rahman 9th Special Forces Division 112th Brigade Regiment 111^[344] Hasakah Shield Brigade Tajamu Saraya Darayya^[345] Salvation Front^[344] 40th Brigade^[346] Descendants of Saladin Brigade^{[citation needed]} Mare' Operations Room^[347] Repel the Invaders Operations Room Bunyan al-Marsous Operations Room Close Ranks Operations Room Triangle of Death Operations Room Repel the Aggressors Operations Room Itihad Quwat Jabal al-Sheikh Omar bin al-Khattab Brigade^[172] al-Ezz Brigade^[172] National Front for the Liberation of Syria^[348] Jabhat Ansar al-Islam Northern Homs Countryside Operation Room Homs Legion Ajnad al-Homs 313 Badr Brigade National Liberation Movement^[299]^[310] Men of God Brigade^[349]^[350] Leon Sedov Brigade^[351]^[352] Harakat al-Qiyam Sham Liberation Army Western Qalamoun Union Levant Liberation Army Martyr Mohammed Qassem Brigade^[353] Jaysh al-Sham Euphrates Islamic Liberation Front Ansar al-Sharia Ansar al-Khilafah^[354] Ansar al-Khilafah of Aleppo^{[citation needed]} Ansar al-Khilafah of al-Hasakah^{[citation needed]} Fursan al-Joulan Abdal al-Sham^[353] Zabandani Hawks Brigade^[355] Joint Operations Rooms Unified Military Council (Idlib) Al-Fatah al-Mubin Azm Unified Command Room^[356] Akhtarin Military Council^[357] Al-Bab Military Council Tal Rifaat Military Council^[358] Qabasin Military Council Mare Military Council Police forces Free Police^[359] Special Forces^[360] Ex-Free East Ghouta Police forces^[361] Allied armed groups: Grey Wolves^[362]^[363] Muslim Brotherhood Muslim Brotherhood in Syria^[364] Shields of the Revolution Council Hamas (2012–22)^[365]^[366]^[367]^[368] Aknaf Bait al-Maqdis Free Iraqi Army^[369]^[370]^[371] Army of Islam (Gaza Strip)^[372] Turkey Turkish Armed Forces Turkish Land Forces First Army 7th Commando Brigade Second Army 1st Commando Brigade 3rd Commando Brigade 4th Commando Brigade^[373] 11th Commando Brigade^[374] Third Army 57th Commando Battalion^[375] Gendarmerie General Command^[376] Gendarmerie Special Public Security Command Gendarmerie Special Operations (JÖH) Village Guards System^[377] Turkish Air Force Turkish Naval Forces^[378] SAT SAS Marines General Staff Special Forces Command General Directorate of Security^[379] Police Special Operation Department (PÖH) National Intelligence Organization (MİT)^[380]^[381] United States (against ISIL, 2014–2017, and limited strikes against pro-government forces, 2017–2018) US Armed Forces US Army US Air Force^[382] US Navy US Army Special Forces United Kingdom (limited strikes against pro-government forces, 2017–2018)^[383] British Armed Forces Royal Air Force France (limited strikes against pro-government forces, 2017–2018)^[383] French Air Force French Navy Armament support: Qatar^[384]^[385] Turkey^[386] Saudi Arabia (2012–17)^[384]^[387]^[388] France (2011–18)^[389] Netherlands (2014–18) Norway (2016–18)^[390] United States (2011–17)^[391]^[392] Central Intelligence Agency^[393] United Kingdom (2011–18)^[394] Secret Intelligence Service (unconfirmed)^[395] Bahrain (2012–16) Jordan (2012–17)^[396] United Arab Emirates (2012–16)^[397] Libya^[398] Egypt (2012–13) Israel ^[399]^[400] Support: Canada (2012–18)^[401] Germany (2012–18)^[402] Syrian Salvation Government Tahrir al-Sham Jaysh al-Usra Movement of Mujahideen of the Sunnis of Iran Army of Umar Ibn Khattab Army of Abu Bakr as-Sadiq Army of Uthman ibn Affan Tawhid and Jihad Battalion Popular Resistance Companies Aleppo City Battalion Red Bands Al hujra brigade Dawn of islam brigade Liwa Moaawiyah Bin Abi Sofyan Sa’ad bin Abi Waqas Brigades Bin Al-Walid battalions Katibat al-Ghuraba al-Turkistan^[403] Ajnad al-Kavkaz^[404]^[405] Jamaat Jund al-Qawqaz^{[citation needed]} Jama'at Ansar al-Haq^[406] Junud al-Makhdi^[407]^[408] Jamaat Bulgar Jaish al-Shomal al-Islami Abu Amara Battalions Covert Special Tasks Force^[310]^[409]^[410] Turkistan Islamic Party in Syria^[411] Islamic Jihad Union^[412] Ansar ut-Turkistan^[413] Katibat Jabal al-Islam^[414] Malhama Tactical Junud al-Sham Liwa Usud al-Idlam Movement of Salah al-Din the Kurd^[415] Support: Turkey^[416]^[417]^[418]^[419] Qatar (until 2017)^[420]^[421]^[422]	Syrian Democratic Forces People's Protection Units (YPG) YPG International Battalion (formerly International Anti-Fascist Battalion)^[423] Western leftist/anarchist YPG volunteers Martyr Abid Battalion Martyr Erdal Brigade Free Men of the Homeland American, British and German fighters^{[citation needed]} 4th Division of Girê Spî^{[citation needed]} Women's Protection Units (YPJ) Rukan Battalion Martyr Avesta Xabur Battalion^[424] Anti-Terror Units (part of YPG & YPJ) Kurdish Supreme Committee Democratic Union Party Movement for a Democratic Society (TEV-DEM) Kurdish National Council Kurdish Democratic Progressive Party^[425] Special Forces Regiment^[426] Euphrates Region Sapper unit^[427] Shammer tribe militias^[428] Al-Sanadid Forces Syria's Tomorrow Movement^[429] Elite Forces (unclear)^[430]^[431]^[432] Saadallah al-Jabiri Battalion^[433] Army of Revolutionaries Kurdish Front Tel Rifaat Revolutionaries Battalion^[434] Shahba Women's Protection Front^[435]^[436] Liwa Ahfad Othman Harakat al-Fedayeen Brigade 313 – Free Men of Aqrab Gathering Homs Revolutionaries Martyr Qasim Areef Battalion^[437] Martyr Yusuf al-Quzhul Company Division 30 remnants^[438] Seljuk Brigade Hammam Turkmen Martyrs Brigade^[439] al Qa'qa Brigade^[440] Homs Commandos Brigade 99th Infantry Brigade 455th Special Tasks Brigade Tribal Forces^[441]^[442] Southern Storm Company Eagles of the Sunnah Company Truthful Promise Company Fighters for Justice Company Revolutionary Shield Brigade^[443] Northern Democratic Brigade^[444] Shahba Forces^[445] Liwa Thuwar al-Raqqa Free Women of Raqqa Battalion^[446]^{[better source needed]} Brigade Groups of Al-Jazira^{[citation needed]} Raqqa Hawks Brigade Ghanim group^[447] Northern Union^[448] Martyr Tasleem Jimmo Brigade^[449]^[450] Idlib Revolutionaries Brigade Liwa Jund al-Haramain^[451] Raqqa Martyrs Brigade^[452] Raqqa Regiment^[453] Jazeera Knights^[454] Liwa Owais al-Qorani^[455] Free Officers Union (unclear)^[456]^[457]^[458] Jaysh al-Salam Liberation Brigade Tell Abyad Revolutionaries Brigade Free Raqqa Brigade Free Tabqa Brigade^[459] Liwa Umana al-Raqqa Harun al-Rashid Brigade Euphrates Volcano Dawn of Freedom Brigades^[460] Retribution Army Jarabulus Company^[461] Jihad in the Path of God Brigade Northern Brigade faction^[462] Al-Bab Revolutionary Front Qebasîn Martyrs Brigade Al-Bab Countryside Martyrs Battalion Free Arima Battalion Martyr Silo al-Rai Brigade Kieba Martyrs Brigade Syriac Military Council (MFS) Syriac-Assyrian Military Council^[463]^[464] Bethnahrain Women's Protection Forces^[465]^[466]^[467] Syriac Union Party Special Forces unit^[468] International volunteers^[469] Ashur Forces Khabour Guards Martyr Joel Hanna Nattoreh Martyr Amara Arab Women's Battalion^[470] Jazira Region Young Women's Union volunteers^[471] Euphrates Region Young Women Union volunteers^[472] Battalion of Karachok Martyrs^[473] al-Shaitat tribe militias^[474] Badia Hawks Brigade^[475] Martyr Nubar Ozanyan Brigade Revolutionary Forces^[476] Brigade for the Liberation of Idlib and Afrin^[477] Idlib Revolutionaries Brigade^[478] Wrath of Olives^[479] Afrin Liberation Forces^[480] Afrin Falcons Harabiyya tribe militias^[481] Ajeel tribe militias^[482] Al-Baggara tribe militias Zubayd tribe militias^[483] SDF Military Councils Manbij Military Council Northern Sun Battalion Euphrates Brigades Soldiers of the Two Holy Mosques Brigade Euphrates Martyrs Brigade Dam Martyrs Brigade Al-Qusais Brigade Manbij Turkmen Brigade Euphrates Liberation Brigade^[484] Manbij Hawks Brigade Manbij Revolutionaries Battalion Martyr Adnan Abu Amjad Regiment Martyr Abdo Dushka Regiment al-Bab Military Council Female Battalion^[485] Jarabulus Military Council^[486] Euphrates Jarabulus Brigades^{[citation needed]} Martyr Yusuf al-Jader Battalion Euphrates Shield Battalion Jarabulus Knights Battalion Martyr Zaki Jader Brigade Instructor Jader Brigade Juma al-Jader Brigade Gwadar Martyrs Brigade Jarabulus Armoured Battalion Jarabulus Hawks Battalion^{[citation needed]} Free Jarabulus Battalion^{[citation needed]} Deir ez-Zor Military Council^[487] Gathering of al-Baggara Youth Khabat al-Sha'iti Battalion^[488] Hajin battalion^[488] DZMC military units^[489] Local tribal forces Serê Kaniyê Military Council^[490] Ayn Issa Military Council^[491] Martyr Ilan Kobanê Brigade Martyr Adel Manbij Brigade Thuwar Tal Abyad Annaba Clan Volunteers Idlib Military Council Tal Abyad Military Council^[492] Qamishli Military Council^[493] Raqqa Military Council^[494] Hasakah Military Council^[495] Al-Shaddadi Military Council^[496]^[497] Police forces Northern Syria Internal Security Forces Asayish^[498] Anti-Terror Forces (HAT SWAT units)^[499] Manbij Internal Security Forces Quick Reaction Force unit^[500] Raqqa Internal Security Forces^[501] Quick Reaction Force unit^[502] Deir ez-Zor Internal Security Forces^[503] Quick Reaction Force unit Sutoro^[504] Bethnahrain Women's Protection Forces police branch Civilian defence units Self-Defense Forces (HXP)^[505] Military Discipline Units Special Forces^[506]^{[self-published source?]} Civilian Defense Force (HPC)^[507] Syrian Border Security Force (BSF)^[508]^[509] Allied armed groups: Kurdistan Workers' Party People's Defence Forces Free Women's Units People's Liberation Faction International Freedom Battalion^[510] MLKP^[511]^[512] Martyr Serkan Battalion TKP/TIKKO Turkey Workers and Peasants Liberation Army MKP United Freedom Forces THKP-C/MLSPB^[513] DKP/BOG^[514] Türkiye Devrim Partisi Sosyal İsyan^[515]^[516] Kadın Özgürlük Gücü Devrimci Karargâh Aziz Güler Özgürlük Gücü Milis Örgütü^{[citation needed]} Kader Ortakaya Timi^{[citation needed]} Kızılbaş Timi^{[citation needed]} Mahir Arpaçay Devrimci Savaş Okulu^{[citation needed]} Necdet Adalı Müfrezesi^{[citation needed]} Spartaküs Timi^{[citation needed]} Şehit Bedreddin Taburu^{[citation needed]} Emek ve Özgürlük Cephesi^[517]^[518] Martyr Mahir Arpaçay Battalion^[519] PML (RC)^[520] TKEP/L Revolutionary Communard Party/Birlik^[514] RUIS^[521] IRPGF TQILA^[522]^[523] Michael Israel Brigade^[524] Anarchist Struggle^[525]^[526] Henri Krasucki Brigade^[527] Bob Crow Brigade No Surrender Motorcycle Club^[528] Peoples' United Revolutionary Movement^[529] Anti-Turkish insurgents in Afrin District Sinjar Alliance Sinjar Resistance Units Êzîdxan Women's Units Kurdistan Freedom Party^[530] Iraqi Kurdistan Peshmerga KDP Peshmerga PUK Peshmerga Counterterrorism Group^[531] Kurdistan Region^[532]^[533] Iraq (until 20 November 2018) Iraqi Armed Forces ( – 20 May November 2018) Iraqi Ground Forces ( – 20 June November 2018)^[534] Counter Terrorism Service Iraqi Security Forces Armament support: Iraqi Kurdistan Kurdistan Democratic Party^[535] Patriotic Union of Kurdistan France^[536] United States^[537] Russia (sometimes)^[538]^[539] United Arab Emirates^[540] Saudi Arabia (from 2018)^[541]^[542] Italy^[543] Syria (sometimes)^[544]^[545]^[546]^[547]^[548]^[549] CJTF-OIR (against ISIL) United States^[550] (also supported SDF in clashes with pro-government forces, 2017–present) US Armed Forces US Army US Army Special Forces Delta Force^[551] 101st Airborne Division US Air Force United States Air Force Tactical Air Control Party^[552] United States Air Force Combat Control Team^[553] 9th Bomb Squadron^[554] 432nd Wing^[555] US Navy^[556] US Marine Corps 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit 1st Battalion, 4th Marines^[557] United States Marine Forces Special Operations Command Marine Raiders US SOF^[558] 75th Ranger Regiment^[559] 5th Special Forces Group^[553] Central Intelligence Agency Timber Sycamore United Kingdom^[560] British Armed Forces British Army Royal Air Force^[561] United Kingdom Special Forces Special Air Service^[562] France^[563] French Armed Forces French Army 68e Régiment d'Artillerie d'Afrique^[564] French Air Force French SOF^[565] Task Force Wagram (heavy artillery) Germany^[402] German Air Force German KSK^{[citation needed]} (denied by Germany)^{[citation needed]} Netherlands^[566] Royal Netherlands Air Force^[567] Norway^[568] Jordan^[569] Saudi Arabia^[570] United Arab Emirates^[541]^[571]^[572]^[573] Iraq (limited airstrikes and border operations against ISIL in northern Syria, June – Nov 2018) Iraqi Air Force (until 20 November 2018)^[574] Iraqi Ground Forces (until 20 November 2018) Former: Canada (2014–16)^[575] Denmark (2014–16)^[576]^[577] Belgium (2014–17)^[578] Australia (2015–17)^[579]^[580] Morocco (2014–16) Bahrain (2014–16) Qatar (2014–16) Russia^[581]^[582]^[583]^[584]^[585]^[586] (against ISIL and Turkish-backed rebels, 2015–17) Russian Air Force	Al-Qaeda Army of Conquest Tahaluf Fatah al-sham Liwa al-Jihad Tajamu al-Mujahideen Nawa Liwa Ansar al-Haq Liwa al-Umawayn al-Islami Ansar Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Al-Nusra Front Jabhat Fatah al-Sham Khorasan group Suqour al-Ezz Two al-Nusra battalions Inghimassiyeen elite shock troops^{[citation needed]} Nusra Brigades Jaysh Muhammad in Bilad al-Sham Mujahideen Shura Council Katibat Usud al-Sunna Army of Ahl al-Sunni wall Jamaa Jabhat al-Jihad wal-Bina Bayarq al Shaaitat Liwa al-Qadisiya Army of Maoata al-Islami Army of-Ikhlas al-Qa'qa Alliance to Support Islam^[587] Jaysh al-Haramoun^[588] Sword of al-Sham Brigades Ezz Brigade Liwa Fursan al-Sunna Liwa Jabal al-Sheikh Liwa Osama bin Zaid Liwa Omar ibn al-Khattab Liwa Sayad al-Usud Harakat Shuhada al-Sham Rouse the Believers Operations Room Ansar al-Tawhid^[589] Firqat al-Ghuraba Hurras al-Din Ansar al-Din Front Harakat Sham al-Islam^{[citation needed]} Harakat Fajr ash-Sham al-Islamiyya Ansar al-Islam in Kurdistan^[590]^[591] Jaysh al-Sunna^[592] Xhemati Alban^[593] So Be Steadfast Operations Room al-Muqatileen al-Ansar Brigade al-Jihad Coordination Group^[594]^[595] Katiba Abd Ar-Rahman^[596] Caucasus Emirate^[597] Tarkhan's Jamaat Ajnad al-Sham Liwa al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar Green Battalion Islamic Unity and Liberation Front ^{[citation needed]} Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman Brigade Victory of Saladin Battalions Nasr Saladin Brigade^{[citation needed]} Katibat Mohammed bin Abdullah^{[citation needed]} Katibat Musaib bin Umair^{[citation needed]} Katibat Abu Dujana^{[citation needed]} Katibat Shuhada al-Jamaa Jund al-Rahman^{[citation needed]} Katibat Ahrar al-Badiyah^{[citation needed]} Jamaat Bayt al-Maqdis al-Islamiyya Katibat al-Tawhid wal-Jihad^[598] Jama'at Ansar al-Furqan in Bilad al Sham Ghuraba al-Sham^[599] Taliban^[600] Pakistani Taliban^[601] Imam Bukhari Jamaat^[598] Fatah al-Islam^[602]^[603]^[604] Muhajirin wa-Ansar Alliance^[605] Liwaa al-Umma Jabhat al-Jihad wal-Bina' al-Islamiyya Liwa Jaf’ar al-Tayyar Liwa la Ilaha illa Allah Liwa al-Hawaz Liwa Ibn Qiam Liwa al-Risalla Liwa al-Tawhid al-Islami Liwa Othman bin Afan Liwa Ahfad Mohammad Liwa Sarayat al-Rasoul Liwa Sadiq al-Amin Tajamm’u al-Rachidin Brigade of al-Qaka^[606] Tawhid and Punishment Battalions and Brigades^[607] Sadqa Wa'dah Movement^[608] Islamic State Islamic State of Iraq Military of ISIL ISIL Aleppo branch al-Barakah Province Tayy tribal forces^{[citation needed]} Jibur tribal forces^{[citation needed]} "Army of the Caliphate" elite units Unit 335^[609] Wilayat al-Khair Wilayat al-Sham al-Khayr district^[610] al-Furat district^[610] Wilayat Deir ez Zor Garrison of Deir ez-Zor Province Wilayat Dimashq Wilayat Halab pro-ISIL local tribes^{[citation needed]} Badr Katiba Wilayat Homs Garrison of Homs Province Wilayat Raqqa Majority of al-Breij tribe^{[citation needed]} Elements of al-Ajeel tribe^{[citation needed]} Elements of al-Na'im tribe^{[citation needed]} Ahlul Sunnah wal Jama’a^[611] Assoud al-Islam Brigade Bayada Martyr's Brigade Insurgent forces Army of the Security Forces^[612] Hisba police^{[citation needed]} Khorasan Battalion^{[citation needed]} Bayt al-Maqdis Army of Aleppo Inghimasi units^[613] Russian-speaking battalion^[614] Army of Hasakah Knights Battalion^[615] Caliphate Army Katibah Nusantara elements^[616] Rapid Response Battalion^[617] Caliphate Cubs^[618]^[619] Tell Abyad sleeper cells^[618] Abu Ubada al-Shami Committee for Military Manufacturing and Development Aviation sector Al Bara’ bin Malik Brigade Badr Battalion^[620] Sabri Battalion^[620] Kurdish units^{[citation needed]} Sharia police Field army^[621] Defences of Al-Thawrah^[622] Defences of Raqqa city^[623] Large number of foreign mujahideen^[624] Defences of al-Fakhikha Khalid ibn al-Walid Army^[625] Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade^[626]^[627]^[628] Islamic Muthanna Movement^[629] Jaysh al-Jihad^[630] Dokumacılar^[631]^[632] Jund al-Aqsa^[633] Liwa Dawud^[634] Liwa Aqab al-Islami Group of the One and Only Katiba al-Bittar al-Libi Al-Khansaa Brigade

Notes

The United States alleged that Belarus and Cuba has provided or attempted to provide direct military support to the Syrian government. Both countries have denied this.^[635]^[636]^[637] There are also unconfirmed reports that Algeria is providing military support to the Syrian government.^[638]^[639]
There is regular conflict between the different rebel groups^[640] in the inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian Civil War.^[605]
Jund al-Aqsa was allied with al-Nusra Front and other rebels as part of the Army of Conquest, which the group left in October 2015 and subsequently was accused of being allied with ISIL, taking part in ISIL-led offensives such as the 2016 Khanasir offensive. However, Jund al-Aqsa again worked with the Army of Conquest and other rebels during the 2016 Southern Aleppo campaign. Eventually most of Jund al-Aqsa joined al-Nusra. Conflict between the two broke out in 2017.
The Kurdish National Council has joined the Syrian National Coalition—though without officially committing any military forces to the opposition—while simultaneously retaining its membership in the Kurdish Supreme Committee, alongside the PYD.^[641]
Canada withdrew jet fighters from the US-led coalition against ISIL on 15 February 2016.^[642]
The Syriac Military Council (including Bethnahrain Women's Protection Forces), Sutoro, Ashur Forces (Khabour Guards and Nattoreh) all represent the Assyrian people of Syria.
Turkey is part of the CJTF–OIR against ISIL, but is also fighting against the SDF, which is supported by CJTF–OIR.^[643]^[644]
Russia provides air support to the Syrian Ba'athist government. Previously, it also provided air support to Turkey and the Syrian Democratic Forces against ISIL and some Syrian rebel groups, respectively, but not against one another.^[645]^[646]^[647]
Serbia, a traditional Orthodox ally of Russia who supports the Assad government, has assisted Russian troops in humanitarian missions on multiple occasions.^[648]
Armenia, Egypt, Venezuela, Algeria, and China send non-lethal support to the Syrian Government.^{[citation needed]}
Israel has been neutral throughout the war, but has engaged with Iran as part of the Iran–Israel proxy conflict.

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