Jaysh al-Sunna
| Jaysh al-Sunna | |
|---|---|
| Participant in the Syrian Civil War | |
|
The logo of Jaysh al-Sunna | |
| Active | 20 March 2015 – present[1] |
| Ideology |
Sunni Islamism Salafism |
| Leaders | Ammar Bouqai[1] |
| Area of operations |
Homs Governorate Idlib Governorate[1] Aleppo Governorate |
| Strength | 500+ fighters[1] |
| Part of |
Army of Conquest[1] Fatah Halab[2] |
| Allies |
Islamic Front al-Nusra Front |
| Opponents |
Syrian Armed Forces National Defense Force Syrian Democratic Forces |
| Battles and wars | |
The Jaysh al-Sunna is an Homs-based Islamist rebel group that was established as a merger between different rebel groups of which some originally came from the Free Syrian Army, and is active during the Syrian Civil War. It joined the Army of Conquest on 24 March 2015, and took part in the Second Battle of Idlib. It lost 14 fighters in the battle.[1]
Alleged bombing by the U.S.-led coalition
On 11 August 2015, an ammunition depot and base belonging to the group were allegedly bombed by the U.S.-led anti-ISIL Coalition in the Atme area in the Idlib Governorate. Ten of the group's fighters were killed along with 8 civilians including 5 children. Robert Ford, the former U.S. ambassador to Syria, expressed consternation at why an airstrike was conducted on Jaysh al-Sunna.[4]
On 26 February 2016, Jaysh al-Sunna's branch in Hama merged with Ahrar ash-Sham, though its northern Aleppo branch was not a part of this merger.[5]
Reported use of child soldiers
In October 2016, it was reported that Jaysh al-Sunna released a video which featured child soldiers at an unidentified training camp.[6] A radical Saudi cleric named Abdullah al-Muhesini was linked to the child soldier recruitment in northern Aleppo, and has allegedly recruited up to 1000 children in all of Syria by paying them a $100 monthly salary.[7]
Member groups
- Kataeb al-Farouq Homs
- Liwa al-Iman
- Some small units from Homs city and Homs Governorate[1]
- Battalion 13[8][9]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "The Homs tribute to the Idlib liberation battle". 29 March 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
- ↑ https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CHz9sulUkAAj9pT.png:large
- ↑ "Al Qaeda and allies form coalition to battle Syrian regime in Idlib". Long War Journal. 24 March 2015.
- ↑ Weiss, Michael. "Did the U.S. Just Kill 5 Kids in Syria?". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
- ↑ https://twitter.com/archicivilians/status/703321779117359104
- ↑ Chris Tomson (2 October 2016). "VIDEO: Syrian rebels recruit child soldiers to boost manpower". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
- ↑ Zen Adra (11 September 2016). "Syrian children soldiers paid $100 monthly salary to fight Syrian Army". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqCsYflTXwTWKM5ZeODm_Rw
- ↑ "Jaysh al-Sunna hold Democratic Union the responsibility for the actions of "Battalion 13" and clear its responsibility regarding shelling Afrin". SOHR. 12 May 2016.
