Ahl Al-Sham | |
---|---|
غرفة أهل الشام | |
Dates of operation | 24 February 2014 [1] – 6 February 2015 [2] |
Group(s) | |
Headquarters | Aleppo, Syria [3] |
Active regions | Aleppo Governorate, Syria |
Allies |
Free Syrian Army Syria Revolutionaries Front [4] People's Protection Units [3] Jabhat al-Akrad |
Opponents | Syrian Armed Forces Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant |
Battles and wars | Syrian Civil War |
Ahl Al-Sham ( Arabic: غرفة أهل الشام) was a joint command structure and umbrella organization of four main Syrian opposition factions operating in Aleppo, Syria. The factions are:
The group has held talks with the People's Protection Units and Jabhat al-Akrad; they have agreed to a truce in order to focus on fighting the Assad government. [5]
The groups involved in the structure are perceived differently by the United States; while Al-Nusra Front and Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar are designated as terrorist organizations by the United States. [6] [7] In contrast Islamic Front is considered by the United States as a "moderate" fighting force and the Army of Mujahedeen is being vetted by them to receive support. [8] [9]
In late October 2014, the al-Nusra Front began attacking cities held by the Free Syrian Army and other moderate Islamist groups, in an attempt to establish its own Islamic state with imposed Sharia rule. [10]
In December 2014, the Levant Front coalition was established, possibly superseding Ahl al-Sham. [11] It includes the Islamic Front and the Army of Mujahideen but excludes al-Nusra and Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar. The Aleppo Liberation operations room was established in February 2015; it includes Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar as part of the Jabhat Ansar al-Din. [2]