Salim Idris
Salim Idris | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | c. 1957 |
| Allegiance |  Syria (– July 2012) National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (December 2012–present) |
| Service/ | Syrian Army (– July 2012)Free Syrian Army (July 2012–present) |
| Rank | Brigadier general |
| Commands held | Free Syrian Army |
| Battles/wars | Syrian civil war |
Brigadier General Salim Idris (born c. 1957) is the Chief of Staff of the Supreme Military Council (SMC) of the Free Syrian Army. A German-trained electronics professor, he was a general in the Syrian Army when he defected in July 2012. General Idris is widely considered to represent the moderate elements of Syria's armed opposition, as Free Syrian Army commanders under his leadership have subscribed to the pro-democracy Proclamation of Principles.[1][2][3][4]
General Idris was elected as the Chief of Staff of the Supreme Military Council following its establishment in a conference held in Turkey on December 15, 2012. At the conference, over 550 members of the Syrian revolutionary council, brigades, and battalion commands elected 261 representatives to form the Revolutionary Force Authority. Thirty members were elected to form the SMC, which includes five combat Fronts covering Syria's 14 provinces.[5][6]
General Idris has become increasingly engaged with soliciting aid from Western nations since his initial request of specialized training and non-lethal material support from the United States in February 2013.[7] On April 30, 2013 the United States began deliveries of ready-to-eat rations and Warrior Aid and Litter Kits (WALK) to the Free Syrian Army under the oversight of General Idris, in what was the first U.S. delivery of tangible aid to Syria's armed opposition.[8] General Idris has issued letters and statements to Secretary of State John Kerry, President Barack Obama, and the United Nations Security Council to encourage international intervention and support in the ongoing Syrian civil war.[9][10][11][12][13][14] In a June 8, 2013 interview with the New York Times, Idris outlined that continued international support for the Free Syrian Army, including "game-changing weapons," were required as a precondition for his attendance at planned negotiations with Bashar al-Assad in Geneva.[15]
References
- ^ "Syrian Free Army names Salim Idris new chief of staff". Al Arabiya News. 10 December 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
- ^ "AP Interview: New Syrian rebel commander 'very afraid' regime will use chemical weapons". The Washington Post. 19 December 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
- ^ "Syrian rebel leader: We won't share U.S. arms with extremists".
- ^ "Free Syrian Army Proclamation of Principles" (PDF).
- ^ "Statement on the Formation of the Supreme Military Council Command of Syria".
- ^ "The Free Syrian Army, Institute for the Study of War" (PDF).
- ^ "What path now for Syria?".
- ^ "U.S. delivers first aid shipment to Free Syrian Army".
- ^ "Peace talks in jeopardy: Rebels demand heavy weapons as precondition".
- ^ "Frustrated by Obama's caution on Syria".
- ^ "Idris Letter to Obama".
- ^ "Syrian rebel leader cites Hezbollah in attack on town".
- ^ "General Idris's Letter to the United Nations Security Council".
- ^ "General Idris's Letter to Secretary of State John Kerry".
- ^ "Syrian opposition to sit out any talks unless arms are sent, General says".
