Jump to content

Syrian Democratic Forces

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by KAMiKAZOW (talk | contribs) at 03:03, 5 December 2016 (Fix list). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Syrian Democratic Forces
Template:Rtl-lang
Quwwāt Sūriyā al-Dīmuqrāṭīya
Hêzên Sûriya Demokratîk
Haylawotho d'Suriya Demoqratoyto
LeadersSDF Spokesman: Talal Selo[1]
Dates of operation10 October 2015 – present
Group(s)YPG & YPJ

Assyrian militias

Afrin & Sheikh Maqsood

  • Army of Revolutionaries (Arab & Kurdish)
    • Tel Rifaat Rebel Battalion
    • 99th Infantry Brigade
    • Special Forces Brigade
    • 1st Homs Commandos Brigade
    • Quwat al-Ashair (Tribal Forces) (mainly Arabized Kurds)
    • Jabhat al-Akrad (Kurdish)
      • Martyr Jiyan Ahras Battalion (Shabha Women Protection Front)
  • Northern Democratic Brigade (Arab)
  • Al Sahba Brigade[4]

Manbij

  • Northern Sun Battalion (Arab/Kurdish/Turkmen)
    • Euphrates Brigades
    • Jund al-Haramayn Brigade
    • Euphrates Martyrs Battalion
    • Al-Qousi Brigade
    • Manbij Turkmen Brigade (Turkmen)
  • Martyr Kaseem Al Areef Battalion (Arab)
  • Seljuk Brigade (Turkmen)

Tell Abyad & al-Raqqa

Jazira/Al-Hasakah

Military councils and their independent militias

Political wing

Syrian Democratic Council
HeadquartersAl-Qamishli (capital city)[15]
Active regionsAleppo Governorate
Hasakah Governorate[16]
Al-Raqqah Governorate
Deir ez-Zor Governorate[17]
Ideology
Allies

Militias and police forces of Rojava

Opponents Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant[42]

Syrian opposition// Syrian opposition, Al-Qaeda affiliates and allies

Turkey[45]
Battles and warsSyrian Civil War

The Syrian Democratic Forces (Arabic: قوات سوريا الديمقراطية, romanized: Quwwāt Sūriyā al-Dīmuqrāṭīya, [Hêzên Sûriya Demokratîk] Error: {{Lang-xx}}: text has italic markup (help), [Ḥaylawotho d'Suriya Demoqraṭoyto] Error: {{Lang-xx}}: text has italic markup (help)), commonly abbreviated as SDF or QSD, are a multi-ethnic and multi-religious alliance of Kurdish, Arab, Assyrian, Armenian, Turkmen, Circassian and Chechen[50][51][52][53] militias in the Syrian Civil War. Founded in October 2015, the SDF states its mission as fighting to create a secular, democratic and federal Syria, along the lines of the Rojava Revolution in northern Syria. The draft for the updated 2016 constitution of the Federation of Northern Syria – Rojava names the SDF as its official defence force.[54]

The prime opponents of the SDF and their allies are the Salafist and Islamic fundamentalist groups involved in the civil war, in particular the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Army of Conquest, Hawar Kilis Operations Room, Al Qaeda, Fatah Halab, Jaysh al-Halab and other Islamist groups and coalitions. The SDF has focused primarily on ISIL,[55] successfully driving them from important strategic areas, such as Al-Hawl, Shaddadi,[56] Tishrin Dam and Manbij.[57][58]

Establishment and signatory groups

The establishment of the SDF was announced on 11 October 2015 during a press conference in al-Hasakah.[59] The alliance built on longstanding previous cooperation between the founding partners. While the People's Protection Units (Yekîneyên Parastina Gel, YPG) and the Women's Protection Units (Yekîneyên Parastina Jin, YPJ) had been operating throughout the cantons of Rojava, the other founding partners were more geographically focused.

Geographically focused on Kobanî Canton were the YPG's partners in the Euphrates Volcano joint operations room, several mainstream Syrian rebel factions of the Free Syrian Army label, who had helped defend the Kurdish town of Kobanî during the Siege of Kobanî. Euphrates Volcano was joined by Liwa Thuwwar al-Raqqa, once expelled by the al-Nusra Front and ISIL from the city of Raqqa for being allied with the YPG, who participated in the capture of Tell Abyad from the Islamic State.

Geographically focused on Jazira Canton were notably the Assyrian Syriac Military Council (Mawtbo Fulhoyo Suryoyo, MFS) and the Al-Sanadid Forces of the Arab Shammar tribe, both of whom had cooperated with the YPG in fighting ISIL for years.[60] The MFS is further politically aligned with the YPG via the shared secular modernizing ideology of Democratic Confederalism of their respective founding parties, which in the Assyrian community translates into the Dawronoye movement.[61]

Geographically focused on Shahba region was the Army of Revolutionaries (Jaysh al-Thuwar, JAT), itself an alliance of several groups of diverse ethnic and political background, who had in common that they had been rejected by the mainstream Syrian opposition for secular, anti-Islamist views and affiliations. However, most of the JAT component groups have always used the Free Syrian Army label and continue to use it.

The following groups signed the founding document:[59]

  1. People's Protection Units (Yekîneyên Parastina Gel, YPG)
  2. Women's Protection Units (Yekîneyên Parastina Jin, YPJ)
  3. Al-Sanadid Forces
  4. Syriac Military Council (Mawtbo Fulhoyo Suryoyo, MFS)
  5. Liwa Thuwwar al-Raqqa
  6. Euphrates Volcano
  7. Army of Revolutionaries (Jaysh al-Thuwar, JAT)
  8. Brigade Groups of Al-Jazira
  9. Lîwai 99 Muşat

On 10 December 2015, after a two-day conference, the SDF established its political wing, called the Syrian Democratic Council.[62][63]

Size, growth and composition

At the time of its founding in late 2015, The Economist described the SDF as "essentially a subsidiary of the Kurdish YPG".[64] With continuous growth in particular due to Arab groups and volunteers joining, as of March 2016 only an estimated 60% of the men and women in the SDF fighting force were ethnic Kurdish.[65] Growth in particular of ethnic Arab, Turkmen and Assyrian participation in the SDF has since continued. In an interview on the first anniversary of the SDF's founding, spokesman Talal Silo, an ethnic Turkmen and former commander of the Seljuq Brigade, stated that "we started with 13 factions and now there are 32 factions", and that "90 percent" of the SDF growth since it began its operations were ethnic Arab.[66] In the context of the November 2016 Northern Raqqa offensive, The Economist claimed the SDF fighting force to be comppsed of "about 20,000 YPG fighters and about 10,000 Sunni Arabs".[67]

2015

2016 January–June

  • On 5 February 2016, a group called Martyrs of Dam Brigade from an Arab village called al-Makhmar liberated by the Syrian Democratic Forces in the Tishrin Dam offensive joined the Northern Sun Battalion and the SDF.[72]
  • On 28 February 2016, a group called Martyr Kaseem Al Areef Battalion from Sarrin formed and joined the Syrian Democratic Forces through their member Jaysh al-Thuwar.[73]
  • On 10 March 2016, a group called Jund al-Haramayn Brigade joined the Syrian Democratic Forces through Jaysh al-Thuwar group, the Northern Sun Battalion.[74] They are a former member of the Army of Mujahedeen group called the 19th Division. They operate in the Northern Aleppo Governorate countryside, and also have a presence in Aleppo city and Kobani.
  • On 12 March 2016, it was reported that more than 200 locals from the earlier liberated areas around the town of Shaddadi joined the SDF, most of them Arabs.[75]
  • On 19 March 2016, it was reported that a group under the name of Liwa Ahrar al-Raqqa ("Free Raqqa Brigade") joined the SDF.[76] The group had earlier been known under the name of Liwa al-Jihad fi Sabeel Allah ("Jihad in the Path of God Brigade") and had in September 2014 been part of the Euphrates Volcano operations room.[77]
  • On 2 April 2016 the SDF established the Manbij Military Council with the goal of securing the city of Manbij and its surrounding countryside (Manbij offensive). The council also includes a newly established group called the Manbij Turkmen Brigade which joined the Northern Sun Battalion of the Army of Revolutionaries.
  • On 20 June 2016, a group called the Tel Rifaat Rebel Battalion, with 250 members, joined the SDF.[78]
  • On 23 June 2016 in the al-Shaddadah area, 158 Al-Shaitat tribesmen from the FSA group Al-Nukhbat Brigade, which was not yet an SDF component group at the time, defected to join the SDF component group Siqur el-Badiye, consisting of members of that tribe.[79][80]

2016 July–December

  • On 14 August 2016, after securing Manbij, the SDF established the al-Bab Military Council with the goal of securing the city of al-Bab and it's surrounding countryside.[81]
  • On 21 August, in a similar fashion to the establishment of the Manbij and al-Bab Military Councils, the SDF established the Jarablus Military Council with the goal of securing the city of Jarablus and it's surrounding countryside. The council also includes the newly established group, the Manbij Revolutionary Brigades.[82][83][84][85] The commander of the council, General Sattar Jader from Jarabulus Hawks Brigades, was assassinated the next day, a suspect was later arrested.[86][87]
  • On 13 September 2016 the al-Nukhbat Brigade, consisting of members from the al-Shaitat and Shammar tribes and led by Ahmad Jarba, joined the SDF. While some of its members already had earlier defected and joined the SDF, the event was considered a major political coup for the SDF, as Jarba (who also is the cousin of Al-Sanadid Forces leader Hamidi Daham al-Hadi) was the former President of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces and now agreed to work with the Syrian Democratic Council framework instead.[88][11][89]
  • On 1 October 2016, 250 fighters from Manbij formed the Euphrates Liberation Brigade as part of the Manbij Military Council and the SDF.[90]
  • On 14 October 2016, the FSA group Free Officers Union numbering in the hundreds joined the SDF.[91][92]
  • On 31 October 2016, an all-female battalion was established within' the al-Bab Military Council.[14]
  • In early November 2016, a 'battalion' from the Sham Legion defected and joined the SDFs Manbij Military Council.[93] Also during this period, the former leader, along with remnants of the main FSA faction Owais al-Qarani Brigade from Al-Thawrah joined the SDF.[8]
  • On 20 November 2016, 200 fighters completed training joined the SDF and then where sent to participate in the Northern Raqqa offensive.[94]
  • On 27 November 2016, 260 fighters joined the Manbij Military Council and formed the Manbij Hawks Brigade.[95]
  • On 1 December 2016, the Shahba Brigade, made up of locals from al-Bab was established, and joined the SDF.[4]

Support by the United States, France and other Western nations

On 12 October 2015, the Pentagon confirmed U.S. C-17 transport aircraft having dropped 100 pallets with 45 tons of arms and ammunition over SDF-controlled territory in Rojava. Polat Can, spokesman of the SDF component militia People's Protection Units (YPG), identified the freight as being "assault rifles, mortars and ammunition, but no TOW anti-tank missiles nor anti-aircraft weapons".[96][97] The airdrop came only days after the Pentagon had officially abandoned its failed $500 million train-and-equip program of "moderate rebels" fighting ISIL.[98]

During the SDF's February 2016 al-Shaddadi offensive, there were US special forces embedded with the SDF forces who coordinated airstrikes against ISIL with the SDF.[99]

On 17 March 2016, the day after the declaration of the Federation of Northern Syria – Rojava, U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter praised the SDF component militia People's Protection Units (YPG) as having "proven to be excellent partners of ours on the ground in fighting ISIL. We are grateful for that, and we intend to continue to do that, recognizing the complexities of their regional role."[100]

The Manbij, al-Bab and Jarabulus Military Councils are three local military councils created by the SDF in Shahba region

During the SDF's May 2016 offensive against ISIL in Northern Raqqa, U.S. Special Forces were widely reported and photographed to be present, and to wear badges of YPG and YPJ on their uniforms.[101]

On 21 May 2016, General Joseph Votel, commanding general of U.S. Central Command, completed a secret several-hour-long trip to northern Syria to visit several locations where there were U.S. special operations forces and meet with local forces the U.S. was helping train to fight ISIL. The visit came as the first of 250 additional U.S. special operations forces were beginning to arrive in Syria to work with local forces.[18] The commander overseeing the war in Syria, at the end of a long Saturday spent touring SDF bases, said "We do, absolutely, have to go with what we've got".[19]

During the SDF's summer 2016 Manbij offensive against ISIL, the U.S. Air Force as well as special operation forces of several Western nations supported the SDF advanve. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that next to US special forces, also German and French forces were taking part,[102] with Germany officially denying[103] and France confirming.[22][23]

After two Syrian air force SU-24´s started air strikes in Al-Hasakah, on 19 August 2016,[20] near where coalition forces were conducting operations on the ground, coalition aircraft arrived and the Department of Defence spokesperson has said that "It troubles us when we see regime air strikes in Hasakah in an area where it's well known by everybody, to include the Assad regime, that the coalition is actively engaged in operations against Isis",[21] implicitly recognizing that elite troops are training and supporting the YPG and the Syrian Democratic Forces in the area.[21]

During the late summer 2016 Turkish military intervention in the Syrian Civil War in Shahba region, U.S. Special Operations Forces embedded with SDF forces, to successfully deter Turkey and Turkish-backed jihadi rebels from attacking SDF forces south of the Sajur river.[1] Further, the United States Department of Defense confirmed that U.S. Special Operation Forces were flying U.S. flags in the town of Tell Abyad in Kobanî Canton to deter Turkish harassment shelling or attacks against SDF forces there.[104]

During the SDF's late summer 2016 Western al-Bab offensive against ISIL, the U.S. Air Force provided close combat support for SDF forces.[105]

Late September 2016, the U.S. spokesman for the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF–OIR) confirmed that the SDF, including the YPG, is also part of the "vetted forces" in the train and equip program and will be supplied with weapons. The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, condemned this and claimed that the SDF are "endangering our future".[106]

Early October 2016, media reports highlighted construction work on another military airfield in SDF controlled territory for operations of U.S. air assets, in the vicinity of Al-Shaddadah in Jazira Canton,[107][108][109] in addition to the two airfields the U.S. is widely reported to already co-operate there, Abu Hajar Airport in Rmelan in Jazira Canton and one airfield at the village of Septe south of Kobanî in Kobanî Canton.[110][111][112][113]

Late October 2016, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, the commander of the international coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, said that the SDF would lead the impending assault on Al-Raqqah, ISIL's stronghold and capital, and that SDF commanders would plan the operation with advice from American and coalition troops.[114]

From November, more than 300 U.S. Special Operations Forces were embedded to train and advise SDF fighters in the Raqqa offensive.[115]

Alleged internal conflicts between SDF factions

In November 2015, Liwa Thuwar al-Raqqa merged with the Tribal Army to form Jabhat Thuwar al-Raqqa to became part of the SDF. After some tensions between the group and the People's Protection Units (YPG), on 6 January 2016 the group allegedly issued a statement claiming it was disbanding.[116] Later the same month, some sources claimed that the Liwa Thuwar al-Raqqa reappeared, announcing it had decided to rejoin the SDF.[117]

Turkey has at various times tried and failed to incite tensions along ethnic lines within the SDF.[1] At the height of one such attempts after the start of the summer 2016 Manbij offensive, Sheikh Farouk al-Mashi, an ethnic Arab former member of the Syrian parliament and designated co-chairman of the Manbij City Council, stated: "I have a Syrian ID, and Kurds have a Syrian ID. Let those people who talk against us in Turkey and Europe come here and fight ISIS. Why this distortion in media about problems between Kurds and Arabs?" Ethnic Kurdish fellow co-chairman Salih Haji Mohammed stated: "In our social contract, we say we want to have good relations with neighboring countries like Turkey. Any country that does not interfere in Manbij and our areas, we will have good relations with."[118] A fighter gave his perspective as "we have Arabs, Kurds, nobody knows how many exactly, we all work under the SDF-forces".[119]

In September 2016 during the Turkish military intervention in the Syrian Civil War, the leader of small SDF component group Liwa al-Tahrir, Abdul Karim Obeid, defected to the camp of Turkish-backed rebels with 20 to 100 of his men, citing opposition to alleged YPG domination of the SDF, while SDF sources suggested he was displeased with the civil administration of the Federation of Northern Syria - Rojava replacing warlordist political rule in the Free Syrian Army style. The remaining fighters stayed with the SDF.[1]

Also In September 2016 during the Turkish military intervention, some Arab sources reported that Liwa Ahrar al-Raqqa clashed with the YPG,[120] however two days later the Liwa Ahrar al-Raqqa's commander said that news about the clashes and defections were false, he denied that such clashes had ever happened.[121]

In mid-November 2016, Liwa Thuwar al-Raqqa's political bureau, which has strong connections with Turkey, condemned the SDF's Raqqa offensive led by the YPG. This caused tensions between the group's political bureau, who opposes the YPG, and the overall leader and military commander of Jabhat Thuwar al-Raqqa, Abu Issa, who is allied with the YPG.[122][123] Some members of Jabhat Thuwar al-Raqqa left the group and joined the SDF's Liwa Ahrar al-Raqqa in response to the tensions.[124]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "US backing ensures Arab-Kurd alliance in Syria will survive". Al-Monitor. 9 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  2. ^ "Kovan Direj". Twitter. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  3. ^ "Kurds Establish Anti Terror Units in Rojava – KURDISH DAILY NEWS". Kurdishdailynews.org. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Hamza Hemze on Twitter: "Formation of SDF Al Sahba brigade which consists of local Arabs & Kurds from Al bab & Azaz. Their aim is to stop ISIS & Turkish occupation"". Twitter. 4 September 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  5. ^ "Jabhat Thuwar al-Raqqa forms new female branch "Katibat Harayir Raqqa"". Reddit.com. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  6. ^ a b c "Who is taking part in Ghadab al-Firat campaign? | ANHA". En.hawarnews.com. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  7. ^ "Thomas van Linge on Twitter: "#Syria: Liwa al-Tahrir has fallen apart, some have remained within the #SDF while others joined the Euphrates shield". Twitter. 6 September 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  8. ^ a b "Syrian Rebellion Obs on Twitter: "#SRO - EXCLUSIVE SRO - Former leader of the main #Tabqa #FSA factions, Liwa Owais al-Qarni, entered Northern Federation days ago (1)."". Twitter. 6 November 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  9. ^ United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. "Refworld - Kurdish Strategy Towards Ethnically-Mixed Areas in the Syrian Conflict". Refworld.
  10. ^ United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. "Refworld – Kurdish Strategy Towards Ethnically-Mixed Areas in the Syrian Conflict". Refworld.
  11. ^ a b Szakola, Albin. "New rebel force battling ISIS in northeast Syria". Now.mmedia.me. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  12. ^ [1][dead link]
  13. ^ Heras, Nicholas. "The battle for Syria's al-Hasakah province". Combating Terrorism Center. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  14. ^ a b "Inspired by Kurdish units, al-Bab Military Council creates all-female battalion". ARA News. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  15. ^ "YPG declared the Qamishli as the capital of the Rojava-Northern Syria, part of Federation". 2 July 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  16. ^ Lister, Tim (1 November 2015). "New assaults on ISIS in Iraq and in Syria". CNN.
  17. ^ "Syrian Democratic Forces inch closer to Deir Ezzor: Al-Mukmin captured". Almasdar News.
  18. ^ a b "Top U.S. commander completes day-long secret visit to Syria (CNN)". 22 May 2016.
  19. ^ a b "The new coalition to destroy the Islamic State". The Washington Post). 22 May 2016.
  20. ^ a b "Syrian fighter jets hit Kurd-held areas for first time (Aljazeera)". 19 August 2016.
  21. ^ a b c "Syria war: US fighter jets scrambled to stop Syrian planes bombing special forces and allies in Hasakah (Independent)". 20 August 2016.
  22. ^ a b "France Admits Special Forces Operating on Ground With Rebels in Syria (Newsweek)". 9 June 2016.
  23. ^ a b "Battle for Manbij: French Special Forces Building Military Base in Kobani (Sputnik News)". 14 June 2016.
  24. ^ "Activists and a rebel commander say Kurdish fighters have launched an attack in northern Syria under the cover of Russian airstrikes to try and capture a military air base held by insurgents". US News. 10 February 2016.
  25. ^ "Russia cooperates with PYD against ISIL". TodaysZaman. 9 October 2015. Archived from the original on 29 October 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ "Russian support for PKK's Syrian arm PYD". Anadolu Agency.
  27. ^ "Kurds attack Turkish-backed Syrian opposition forces with Russian help". i24 News. 28 November 2015.
  28. ^ "YPG advances near Turkey's border". Rudaw Media Network. 28 November 2015. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015.
  29. ^ Wood, L. Todd (8 February 2016). "Russia supporting Kurdish groups in Syria to Turkey's detriment". Washington Times.
  30. ^ "Syrian Opposition Calls for Suspension of U.S.-led Air Strikes". SOHR. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  31. ^ "Origins of the Syrian Democratic Forces: A Primer". 15 June 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  32. ^ Charkatli, Izat. "Map Update: Syrian Army, Kurds continue steamrolling in east Aleppo as rebels mass retreat". Almasdarnews.com. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  33. ^ "American, German, and French forces are backing up SDF in Menbej battle". SOHR. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  34. ^ "Damascus says German special forces in Syria, Germany denies". Reuters. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  35. ^ Szakola, Albin. "New Syria group vows to "resist" Turkish military incursion". Now.mmedia.me. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  36. ^ Tomson, Chris. "Syrian Army captures first village from Turkish-backed rebels on the outskirts of al-Bab". Almasdarnews.com. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  37. ^ "Syrian Rebellion Obs on Twitter: "#SRO - IMPORTANT - Here are the two "border" forces (one old : Quwat al-Ashair) to secure the future buffer zone between #Rojava and regime."". Twitter. 26 November 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  38. ^ @Syria_Rebel_Obs (27 December 2015). "INFORMATION - Dozens of young men from #Manbij, in #FSA Liwa Fursan al-Furat, involved in clashes in Tishreen" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  39. ^ País, Ediciones El (7 July 2015). "Two Spaniards arrested on return from fighting ISIS in Syria". EL PAÍS. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  40. ^ "New Leftist 'Freedom Brigade' to Join Kurdish Forces in Rojava". www.telesurtv.net. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  41. ^ "Quentin Sommerville on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  42. ^ Lambert, Fred (1 November 2015). "Syria: Joint Kurd-Arab-Assyrian force announces U.S.-backed offensive in al-Hasakah". UPI. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  43. ^ "Aleppo rebels rally around former Ahrar leader". Now.mmedia.me. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  44. ^ "Caucasus Emirate in Syria fighting in Aleppo - The Long War Journal". Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  45. ^ "Jader assassination by Turkish MIT - ANHA". Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  46. ^ Abu Zeid, Osama; Nelson, Maria (3 December 2015). "Accusations, recriminations and bloodshed in north Aleppo arena as Kurds fear for Afrin". Syria Direct. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  47. ^ "YPG, allies clash with Syrian opposition groups in Aleppo". Middle East Eye. 29 November 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  48. ^ "New U.S.-backed Syrian rebel alliance launches offensive against Islamic State". Reuters. 31 October 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  49. ^ "QSD Press Office on Twitter". Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  50. ^ "SDF on Youtube: "Different cultures come together in the Syrian Democratic Forces : syriancivilwar". Reddit.com. 13 March 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  51. ^ "Chechens, Arabs and Kurds in Serêkaniyê fighting shoulder to shoulder against ISIS". Diclehaber.com. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  52. ^ mahmou415 (24 August 2015). "Faction Guide of the Syrian war – Part 4 – Rojava Kurds – Middle East Observer". Meobserver.wordpress.com. Retrieved 4 December 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  53. ^ "Serekanye chechen battalions (part of SDF) arrived near Shadade, reinforcing ongoing SDF massive war preparations, Shadade is seeing one of the biggest SDF military moves. Thousands coming from Kobane and Hasake cantons preparing battles. : syriancivilwar". Reddit.com. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  54. ^ "Syrian Kurds declare Qamishli as capital for the new federal system". ARA News. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  55. ^ "Syrian Democratic Forces set sights on IS stronghold". Al-Monitor. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  56. ^ Van Wilgenburg, Wladimir (19 February 2016). "Kurds celebrate capture of key IS stronghold in Syria". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  57. ^ Shiwesh, Ahmed (10 March 2016). "Kurds, allies seize ISIS supply route on Syria-Iraq border". ARA News. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  58. ^ "Confirmed: #SDF and #Manbij Military Council forces liberated #Manbij !". CC News – via Twitter.
  59. ^ a b "Declaration of establishment by Syrian Democratic Forces". Kurdish Question. 15 October 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  60. ^ "YPG, backed by al- Khabour Guards Forces, al- Sanadid army and the Syriac Military Council, expels IS out of more than 230 towns, villages and farmlands". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  61. ^ Carl Drott (25 May 2015). "The Revolutionaries of Bethnahrin". Warscapes. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  62. ^ "Kurdish-Arab coalition fighting Islamic State in Syria creates political wing agency". Global Post=Agence France-Presse. 10 December 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  63. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 20 December 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  64. ^ "Global powers seek to revive diplomatic process". The Economist. 12 February 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  65. ^ "Syrian-Kurdish SDF successfully absorbing non-Kurdish groups, says US". Rudaw. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  66. ^ "Talal Silo: our major aim founding SDF was uniting military factions". ANHA. 10 October 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  67. ^ "Anyone for Raqqa? There is less to the offensive on Islamic State's capital than meets the eye". The Economist. 11 November 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  68. ^ "أبناء العشائر العربية يشكلون لواءً وينضمون إلى QSD". Hawar News. 7 November 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  69. ^ "من هم تجمع كتائب فرات جرابلس؟". Hawar News. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  70. ^ "Michael Horowitz". Twitter.
  71. ^ "400 Sheitat tribesmen joined U.S.-backed alliance to fight ISIS: sources SYRIA NEWS | ZAMAN ALWSL". En.zamanalwsl.net. 7 January 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  72. ^ "Martyrs of Dam Brigade join Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) | Washington Kurdish Institute". Dckurd.org. 4 February 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  73. ^ "بيان انضمام كتيبة الشهيد كاظم عارف لجيش الثوار". YouTube. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  74. ^ "QSD Press Office on Twitter: "A new brigade "Liwa Jund Al Haramayn" announced it is joining to our forces "". Twitter. 10 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  75. ^ "Dozens of young men join western-backed SDF to fight ISIS northeast Syria". ARA News. 12 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  76. ^ "Who are the banner of free tenderness?". Hawar News. 19 March 2016.
  77. ^ "YPG and FSA set up 'Joint Action Centre'". Firat News. 11 September 2014.
  78. ^ "Dr Partizan on Twitter". Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  79. ^ "Kurdish-led SDF attracts more Arab fighters in Syria's Deir ez-Zor amid growing anti-ISIS campaign - ARA News". 24 June 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  80. ^ "158 مقاتلاً جديداً يلتحقون بـ ق.س.د - ANHA". Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  81. ^ "Syrian Democratic Forces aim to capture al-Bab, call for coalition support". ARA News. 15 August 2016.
  82. ^ "Kurdish-backed Jarabulus council warns Turkey of supporting ISIS north Syria - ARA News". 22 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  83. ^ "Ajansa Nûçeyan a Firatê". ANF. 22 August 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  84. ^ "Pro-SDF Groups Set Up Jarablus Military Council, Warn Turkish-Backed Groups from Taking City". Southfront.org. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  85. ^ "Jarablus Military Council announced by groups within the Syrian Democratic Forces". Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  86. ^ "Assassinator of Jader arrested | ANHA". En.hawarnews.com. 23 August 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  87. ^ "Sattar Jader, commanding general of the Jarabulus Military Council, assassinated". Qasioun. 22 August 2016.
  88. ^ "flintsparc comments on Syrian opposition leader hails new coalition with Kurdish administration". Reddit.com. 13 September 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  89. ^ "South Hasakah/North Deir Ezzor situation on April 28, 2016". agathocledesyracuse.com. 28 April 2016. Archived from the original on 31 May 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  90. ^ "Join the banner of liberalization of the Euphrates to the Military Council in Aleppo Manbej". ARA News. 2 October 2016.
  91. ^ "Hundreds of Syrian rebels join the pro-Kurdish SDF alliance". ARA News. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  92. ^ "Ajansa Nûçeyan a Firatê". ANF. 13 October 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  93. ^ "Syrian Rebellion Obs on Twitter: "#SRO - #Manbij Military Council proud to announce its first defector from Faylaq ash-#Sham to join them, Saddam al-Tai, from Ali village (1)". Twitter. 6 November 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  94. ^ "Dr Partizan on Twitter: "Graduation of 200 fighter to join SDF and participate in the Raqqa campaign. (ANHA) "". Twitter. 20 November 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  95. ^ "Dr Partizan on Twitter: "260 fighters join the Manbij Military Council and are prepared to defend #Manbij from Turkish occupiers and ISIS terrorists"". Twitter. 27 November 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  96. ^ Roy Gutman (12 October 2015). "U.S. begins airdrops of weapons to Kurdish forces in northern Syria". McClatchy. Archived from the original on 13 October 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  97. ^ "Syrian Arab militias dispute they received U.S. airdrop of ammunition". McClatchy DC. 20 October 2015. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  98. ^ "Syria conflict: US air drop for anti-IS forces in Hassakeh". BBC. 12 October 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  99. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Interethnic coalition takes on the IS group in Syria". France 24 (Youtube). 22 April 2016.
  100. ^ "Pentagon chief praises Kurdish fighters in Syria". Hurriyet Daily News. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  101. ^ "U.S. Troops 18 Miles from ISIS Capital". The Daily Beast. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  102. ^ "New details in the German, American and French forces support for The Syria Democratic Forces in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo (SOHR)". 15 June 2016.
  103. ^ "German, French special forces in Syria 'an aggression' (PressTV)". 15 June 2016.
  104. ^ "Mysterious American Flags In Northern Syria Were Planted By U.S. Troops, Pentagon Says". Huffington Post. 20 September 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  105. ^ "YPG-led SDF capture 3 villages from ISIS in north Aleppo countryside". Al-Masdar News. 30 August 2016.
  106. ^ "US sending arms to Kurdish-led SDF in Syria, Turkey's Erdogan outraged". ARA News. 25 September 2016.
  107. ^ "US Military Builds a New Air Base in Northern Syria". Aviation Voice. 5 October 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  108. ^ "US Military Builds a New Air Base in Northern Syria". Sputnik International. 4 October 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  109. ^ "US Military Builds a New Air Base in Oil-Rich Region North of Syria". Farsnews. 5 October 2016. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
  110. ^ "U.S. builds two air bases in Kurdish-controlled north Syria: Kurdish report". Reuters. 6 March 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  111. ^ "US Confirms Involvement in Syria Airfield Expansion". Voice of America. 4 February 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  112. ^ "Inside Syria: The farm airstrip that's part of the U.S. fight against ISIS". CNN. 3 February 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  113. ^ "U.S. troops take over air base in Syria, local reports say". Military Times. 21 January 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  114. ^ "US general: Syrian Democratic Forces will lead the assault on Raqqa". Stars and Stripes. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  115. ^ "American Is Killed in First Casualty for U.S. Forces in Syria Combat". New York Times. 24 November 2016.
  116. ^ "Tribes' Army disbands in north amidst accusations of YPG blockade". Syria Direct. 6 January 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  117. ^ "Ultimele stiri si informatii despre Liwa Thuwwar Al Raqqa". www.disperat.ro. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  118. ^ "On the Front Line in the Bloody Fight to Take Manbij From ISIS". The Daily Beast. 5 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  119. ^ "SDF-led Manbij Military Council cuts off ISIS supply route between Raqqa and Manbij". Ara News. 5 June 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  120. ^ "Liberation Brigade defected in Jarabulus". Baladi News. 2 September 2016.
  121. ^ "Free Raqqa Brigade denies split with the Syrian Democratic Forces". DW. 3 September 2016.
  122. ^ @Syria_Rebel_Obs (10 November 2016). "IMPORTANT - Liwa Thuwar #Raqqa political bureau was many times in conflict with its military leader, Abu Issa, that's the problem" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  123. ^ @Syria_Rebel_Obs (10 November 2016). "Stop saying "Liwa Thuwar #Raqqa left #SDF" : brigade is few, and MORE IMPORTANT, besieged de facto by #SDF bases around its HQ" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  124. ^ @Syria_Rebel_Obs (11 November 2016). "LOCAL SOURCE - Fighters from Liwa Thuwar #Raqqa left #HQ during night and joined #SDF Liwa Ahrar #Raqqa (former Liwa al-Jihad)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Syrian_Democratic_Forces&oldid=753086492"