Armed factions in the Syrian civil war

Understanding the Complexities of the Syrian Civil War

Imagine a battlefield where nations and factions are entangled in a web of alliances and conflicts, each with their own motives and strategies. The Syrian civil war is such a complex tapestry, involving numerous states and armed groups that have become belligerents over time.

The Main Players

Let’s start by looking at the main players in this conflict. On one side, we have the Syrian Arab Republic and its allies, including the Syrian Armed Forces, National Defense Forces (NDF), and Shabiha militias. These groups are backed by Russia and Iran, forming a formidable alliance against the opposition.

On the other side, there’s the Syrian opposition and their allies, which include Al-Qaeda and affiliates, Islamic State, and Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). This coalition is diverse and often fragmented, making it challenging to predict their combined actions.

The Role of Hezbollah and Iran

Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Shia armed group, has played a significant role in supporting the Syrian government. Their involvement began as early as 2012 when they started collaborating with the Syrian Army to combat Islamic extremists. By 2014, around 500 Hezbollah fighters had died, and by 2024, their troop numbers had grown to an estimated 7000-8000.

Iran has been a constant supporter of Syria since the civil uprising began in 2011. They have provided financial, technical, and military support, including training and sending combat troops. By December 2013, Iran had approximately 10,000 operatives in Syria but later reduced this number to around 1500 by 2024.

The Syrian National Coalition and Free Syrian Army

Meanwhile, the Syrian National Coalition (SNC), formed by anti-Assad groups, struggled with internal power conflicts. The Free Syrian Army (FSA), established in 2011 to defend civilians and effect government change, received aid from countries like Turkey but faced fragmentation due to personal contacts.

In 2016, the Turkish military intervention led to the FSA becoming dependent on Turkish help. This resulted in the formation of a new coalition known as the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (TFSA), later renamed the Syrian National Army (SNA).

The Kurdish Role and SDF

The Kurdish role is also significant, with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) opposing the Assad government while primarily targeting Al-Nusra Front and ISIL. The SDF has received military support from the US but faces opposition from Turkey’s involvement in northern Syria.

Al-Qaeda and ISIS

The al-Nusra Front (Jabhat Fateh al-Sham), an Al-Qaeda affiliate, was considered violent and aggressive. It merged into Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in January 2017 but faced internal conflicts and protests over its governance.

The Islamic State (ISIS) began rapid military gains in Northern Syria in April 2013, controlling large parts of the region by mid-2014. Despite losing nearly half of its territory in Iraq between 2014 and 2016, ISIS remained active militarily until 2020.

International Support

Several countries have provided support to the Syrian government or opposition. Belarus and Cuba are alleged to have offered direct military support, though both deny it. Algeria is also reported to be providing military assistance, although this remains unconfirmed.

Russia provides air support to the Syrian Ba’athist government but has also supported Turkey and the SDF against IS and some rebel groups at different times. Serbia, a traditional ally of Russia supporting Assad, assists Russian troops in humanitarian missions. Armenia, Egypt, Venezuela, Algeria, and China send non-lethal support to the Syrian government.

Conclusion

The Syrian civil war is a multifaceted conflict involving numerous states and armed groups with complex alliances and motives. Each player has their own strategies and goals, making it challenging to predict outcomes. The involvement of international actors adds another layer of complexity, further entangling the region in a web of geopolitical interests.