Wikipedia - Benutzerbeiträge [de]

Mustafa asch-Schaich

2012-12-31T17:50:02Z

Sopher99: Not a reliable source

{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Mustafa Al-Sheikh
|image =
|office = [[Free Syrian Army|Head of the Free Syrian Army Higher Military Council]]
|president = [[Abdulbaset Sieda]] as [[Chair|Chairman of]] [[Syrian National Council|the Syrian National Council]]
|deputy =
|1blankname = [[Free Syrian Army|Commander]]
|1namedata = [[Riad al-Asaad]]
|term_start = March 2012{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}
|term_end = December 2012<ref name="Huff_unifiedcommand_8Dec2012" />
|predecessor = Office established
|successor =
|birth_date =
|death_date =
|birth_place = [[Syria]]
|death_place =
|party =
|religion = [[Sunni Islam]]
|allegiance = {{flagicon|Syria|1932}} [[Syrian National Council]]
|branch = [[Free Syrian Army]]
|serviceyears = 2011-present
|rank = [[General]]
|commands =
|battles = [[Syrian Civil War]]
|awards =
|laterwork =
}}
'''Mustafa Al-Sheikh''' ({{lang-ar|مصطفى أحمد الشيخ}}) was the head of the [[Free Syrian Army]] (FSA) military council until December 2012<ref name="Huff_unifiedcommand_8Dec2012" /> and a commander of the [[Sham Falcons]], a battalion numbering about 2,000 men.<ref name=haa>http://www.haaretz.com/news/features/world-must-intervene-before-iraqization-of-syria.premium-1.439772</ref><ref name=DT26May>{{cite news|title=United Nations ceasefire in tatters after 92 killed in Syrian violence|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9292414/United-Nations-ceasefire-in-tatters-after-92-killed-in-Syrian-violence.html|accessdate=26 May 2012|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=26 May 2012|author=Colin Freeman|author2=Ruth Sherlock}}</ref> He was a general in the [[Syrian Army]] prior to his defection during the [[Syrian Civil War]].<ref name=aljaz>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp5gBXWqKJ4 Brigadier-General Mustafa al-Sheikh Defects], Al Jazeera.</ref>

Al-Sheikh said he battled with his conscience before defecting, mindful of his 37 years' service and of possible retribution against his extended family. He said the final straw had been a sexual assault by soldiers who took turns attacking a young bride in a village near [[Hama]].<ref name=teleg>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9061432/Syrias-most-senior-defector-Assads-army-is-close-to-collapse.html</ref>

==See also==
*[[Free Syrian Army]]

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="Huff_unifiedcommand_8Dec2012">{{cite news | first=Bassem | last=Mroue | coauthors=Suzan Fraser | pages= | language =| title= Syria Rebels Create New Unified Military Command | date=2012-12-08 | publisher=[[Huffington Post]]/[[Associated Press|AP]] | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/08/syria-rebels-military-council_n_2263256.html |accessdate=2012-12-08 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6ClMtkEue |archivedate=2012-12-08 |deadurl=no}}</ref>
}}

{{2011 Syrian uprising}}

{{Persondata
| NAME = al-Sheikh, Mustafa
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Syrian military leader
| DATE OF BIRTH =
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Syria]]
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sheikh, Mustafa}}
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Syrian military personnel]]
[[Category:People of the Syrian civil war]]
[[Category:Syrian defectors]]

{{Syria-bio-stub}}
{{MEast-mil-bio-stub}}

[[ar:مصطفى الشيخ]]
[[it:Mustafa al-Shaykh]]

Freie Syrische Armee

2011-11-29T15:34:08Z

Sopher99:

{{Distinguish|Syrian Army}}

{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=Free Syrian Army الجيش السوري الحر
|image=[[File:Free Syrian Army Green Logo.jpg|150px]]
|caption= Official logo of Free Syrian Army
|dates= July 2011–present
|country= [[Syria]], [[Turkey]], [[Lebanon]], [[Jordan]], [[Iraq]]
|allegiance=[[Syrian National Council]]
|branch=[[Army]]
|type= [[Light Infantry]]
|role= Civilian protection, Guerrilla warfare
|size= 20,000<ref name=Hafez/><ref name=WT0927>{{cite news|title=Thousands of Syrian Army defectors join militias|url=http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2011/me_syria1207_09_27.asp|accessdate=5 October 2011|newspaper=World tribune|date=27 September 2011}}</ref><ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/8868027/15000-strong-army-gathers-to-take-on-Syria.html|newspaper = Telegraph|Access date = 4/11/11|date = 4/4/11</ref>
|command_structure=
|garrison=[[Hatay]], [[Turkey]]
|garrison_label= Main Bases
|nickname= Free Officers Movement ({{lang-ar|حركة الضباط الأحرار}})
|patron=
|motto= '''Free Army, Free Syria!''' 
|colors=[[Green]], [[Red]], [[White]] and [[Black]]
|colors_label=
|march=
|mascot=
|battles=
[[2011 Syrian uprising]]
*[[Siege of Rastan and Talbiseh]]
*[[October 2011 Jabal al-Zawiya clashes]]
*[[Siege of Homs]]
*[[Siege of Rif Dimashq]]
*[[Damascus clashes]]
*[[Homs Province Ambush]]
*[[2011 Daraa province clashes|Daraa Province]]
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|battle_honours=

|commander1= [[Colonel]] [[Riyad al-Asad]]
|commander1_label=Commander-in-Chief
|commander2= Colonel Malik Kurdi
|commander2_label=Deputy Commander-in-Chief
|commander3= Colonel Ahmed Hijazi<ref name=FSA1114>{{cite web|title=Statement: 14 November 2011|url=http://www.facebook.com/freesyrianarmy.alas3ad|publiser=Free Syrian Army}}</ref><ref>[http://syrianrevolutiondigest.blogspot.com/2011/11/war-of-worlds-syria-edition.html Syrian Revolution Digest: War of the Worlds – Syria Edition!]</ref>
|commander3_label=Chief of Staff
|notable_commanders=

|identification_symbol=[[File:Syria-flag 1932-58 1961-63.svg|75px]]
|identification_symbol_label= Identification mark

|aircraft_attack=
|aircraft_bomber=
|aircraft_electronic=
|aircraft_fighter=
|aircraft_helicopter=
|aircraft_helicopter_attack=
|aircraft_helicopter_cargo=
|aircraft_helicopter_multirole=
|aircraft_helicopter_observation=
|aircraft_helicopter_transport=
|aircraft_helicopter_utility=
|aircraft_interceptor=
|aircraft_patrol=
|aircraft_recon=
|aircraft_trainer=
|aircraft_transport=
}}

The '''Free Syrian Army''' ({{lang-ar|الجيش السوري الحر}}, ''al-jayš as-suri al-ħurr'') is the main opposition army group in [[Syria]].<ref name=Albayrak/> It is composed of defected [[Syrian Armed Forces]] personnel, who have been active during the [[2011 Syrian uprising]].<ref name=Albayrak/> The formation of the opposition army group was announced on 29 July 2011 in a web video released by a group of uniformed defectors from the Syrian military, who called upon members of the army to defect and join them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/?p=11043|title=Free Syrian Army Founded by Seven Officers to Fight the Syrian Army|publisher=Syria Comment|first=Joshua|last=Landis|date=29 July 2011|accessdate=7 August 2011}}</ref> The leader of the men, who identified himself as Colonel [[Riyad al-Asad]], announced that the FSA would work with demonstrators to bring down the system and declared that all security forces attacking civilians are justified targets.<ref name="wtarc">{{cite news|url=http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2011/me_syria0973_08_03.asp|title=Defecting troops form 'Free Syrian Army', target Assad security forces|agency=World Tribune|date=3 August 2011|accessdate=7 August 2011}}</ref><ref name="sharq">{{cite news|url=http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=26095|agency=Asharq Alawsat|title=Syrian Army Colonel Defects forms Free Syrian Army|date=1 August 2011|accessdate=7 August 2011}}</ref> Riyad al-Asad emphasised that the Free Syrian Army has no political goals except the liberation of Syria from [[Bashar Assad|Bashar Assad's]] regime.<ref name=AlArabiya>{{cite news|title=Commander of Free Syrian Army: Al Asad to face Gaddafi's fate|url=http://en.trend.az/regions/met/arabicr/1929681.html|accessdate=22 October 2011|newspaper=Trend|date=10 September 2011}}</ref><ref name=Abbas>{{cite news|last=Abbas|first=Thair|title=Asharq Al-Awsat visits the Free Syrian Army|url=http://awsat-e.com/news.asp?section=3&id=26872|accessdate=22 October 2011|newspaper=Asharq Al-Awsat|date=10 September 2011}}</ref>

The Free Syrian Army has also stated that the conflict is not sectarian, and that they have in their ranks Alawis who oppose the regime, and that there will be no reprisals when the regime falls.<ref name=Hafez/> On 23 September 2011, the Free Syrian Army merged with the Free Officers Movement ({{lang-ar|حركة الضباط الأحرار}}, ''ħarakat al-ḍubbaṭ al-aħrar'') and became the main opposition army group.<ref name=Albayrak>{{cite news|last=Albayrak|first=Ayla|title=Turkey Plans Military Exercise on Syrian Border|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204524604576610781937462842.html|accessdate=4 October 2011|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=4 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Syria Army Defectors Press Conference - 9-23-11|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttfy6h2BMyo|publisher=Syria2011archives|accessdate=9 October 2011}}</ref><ref name=Burch>{{cite news|last=Burch|first=Johnathon|title=War is only option to topple Syrian leader|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/07/us-turkey-syria-colonel-idUSTRE7964OQ20111007|accessdate=7 October 2011|newspaper=Reuters|date=7 October 2011}}</ref> As of October there were estimates of 20,000 defectors from the armed forces, although not all defectors chose to actively participate with the Free Syrian Army.<ref name=IWPR>{{cite web|last=Hafez|first=Salem|title=Syria: How Far Has Uprising Spread?|url=http://iwpr.net/report-news/syria-how-far-has-uprising-spread|publisher=Institute for War and Peace Reporting|accessdate=27 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/27/world/middleeast/army-defectors-in-syria-take-credit-for-deadly-attack.html | work=The New York Times | first=Nada | last=Bakri | title=Defectors Claim Attack That Killed Syrian Soldiers | date=26 October 2011}}</ref>

According to their leader Colonel al-Asad, as of November 2011, the FSA gained 100 to 300 members every time it mounted an attack. The group’s fighters had seen combat in the eastern town of Deir al-Zour, the port city of Latakia, the northern province of Idlib, the southern area of Daraa, where the uprising began, in suburbs of the capital [[Damascus]], the city of Aleppo and the central towns of Homs and Hama.<ref>http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-11-18/free-syrian-army-seeks-no-fly-zone-vows-to-reach-palace.html</ref>

==History==
=== Declaration of formation ===
In the Free Syrian Army’s first statement, Riyad al-Asad explained that the opposition army’s formation resulted “from our nationalistic duty, our loyalty to the people, our sense of the current need for conclusive decisions to stop the regime’s massacres that cannot be tolerated any longer, and resulting from the army’s responsibility to protect the unarmed free people.” And he proceeded to “announce the formation of the free Syrian army to work hand in hand with the people to achieve freedom and dignity, bring the regime down, protect the revolution and the country’s resources, and stand in the face of the irresponsible military machine that protects the regime.”<ref name="sharq"/>

Asad continued by calling on the officers and men of the Syrian army to "defect from the army, stop pointing their rifles at their people's chests, join the free army, and form a national army that can protect the revolution and all sections of the Syrian people with all their sects." He continued that the Syrian army "[represents] gangs that protect the regime" and declared, "as of now, the security forces that kill civilians and besiege cities will be treated as legitimate targets. We will target them in all parts of the Syrian territories without exception.<ref name="sharq"/>

[[File:FSA-grab.png|200px|thumb|left|Colonel [[Riyad al-Asad]] and others announcing the FSA's formation in an online video statement]]

As no confirmed evidence of an organized Free Syrian Army beyond video statements was produced in the beginning, its existence was questioned by some sources.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/?p=11060&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Syriacomment+%28Syria+Comment%29|title=Is the Free Syrian Army Real?|first=Joshua|last=Landis|publisher=Syria Comment|date=30 July 2011|accessdate=8 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/aug/02syria-destruction-bashar-al-assad|agency=The Guardian|date=2 August 2011|accessdate=8 August 2011|title=Syria is on course for destruction|first=Fadwa|last=Al-Hatem|location=London}}</ref> However in late August, a top member of the organization, colonel Hussein Harmoush, was detained during a special operation by Syrian forces in Idlib and confessed on state television that he was a member of the opposition army and that while in the Syrian army he was not forced to shoot on protesters.<ref>[http://www.dp-news.com/en/detail.aspx?articleid=96766 Lt. Col. Hussein Harmoush told his part at “Syria Uprising” | English | NEWS | DayPress]</ref> Since August, the Free Syrian Army has also made a number of interviews with the international media from both locations on the Syrian-Turkish border and inside Syria.<ref name=Rosen>{{cite news |title=Syria: The revolution will be weaponised |first=Nir |last=Rosen |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/09/201192315735281764.html |work=[[Al Jazeera English]] |date=23 September 2011 |accessdate=30 October 2011}}</ref>

According to its leader, the Free Syrian Army "aims to be the military wing of the Syrian peoples opposition to the regime".<ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{cite news| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/8868027/15000-strong-army-gathers-to-take-on-Syria.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=Ruth | last=Sherlock | title='15,000 strong' army gathers to take on Syria | date=3 November 2011}}</ref> He also asked that the international community help arm the opposition army and impose a no fly zone and a naval blockade of Syria<ref name=Burch/><ref name="telegraph.co.uk"/>

On 16 November, the FSA released a statement which announced that a temporary military council had been formed, in an effort to weaken the Pro Assad forces.<ref name=autogenerated2>[http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Syrian-Army-Defectors-Go-on-Offense-Militarizing-Syrias-Uprising-133963348.html Syrian Army Defectors Go on Offense, Militarizing Syria's Uprising | News | English]</ref> On 17 November, the FSA announced the formation of the Sham Falcons battalion, pledging to Bashar al-Assad that "you will find us everywhere at all times, and you will see that which you do not expect, until we re-establish the rights and freedom of our people."<ref>{{cite web|last=Raman|first=Suby|title=The Beginnings of the Syrian Civil War|url=http://subyraman.com/the-beginnings-of-the-syrian-civil-war/}}</ref>

=== Military tactics ===
The soldiers on desertion have to abandon their armoured vehicles and, carrying only light weapons, hide in cities and suburbs. As the Syrian army is highly organised and well-armed, the Free Syrian Army has adopted [[Guerrilla warfare|guerrilla-style tactics]] in the countryside and cities, similar to those described in Guevara’s book ''[[Guerrilla Warfare (book)|Guerrilla Warfare]]''.<ref>Che Guevara: [http://www3.uakron.edu/worldciv/pascher/che.html Guerrilla Warfare]</ref> The FSA claims it actively engages and ambushes security forces and the state’s [[shabiha]] militia, but seldom confronts other regular army soldiers for fear of alienating them. Most of their attacks have been on buses bringing in security reinforcements, often by planting bombs or carrying out hit-and-run attacks.<ref name=Hafez/>

In order to encourage defections, the Free Syrian Army has been ambushing patrols and shooting their commanders and then convincing the rank and file to switch sides. Ninety percent of the Syrian Army soldiers are Sunni, while the commanders are mostly from [[Bashar al-Assad|Bashar Assad’s]] Alawi sect. The FSA battalions have also acted as defense forces in neighborhoods opposed to the government, guarding streets while protests take place and attacking the militias, known as shabiha, which are an integral part of the government's efforts to suppress dissent.<ref name=Sly>{{cite news|last=Sly|first=Liz|title=In Syria, defectors form dissident army in sign uprising may be entering new phase|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/in-syria-defectors-form-dissident-army-in-sign-uprising-may-be-entering-new-phase/2011/09/24/gIQAKef8wK_story_1.html|accessdate=6 October 2011|newspaper=Washington Post|date=25 September 2011}}</ref>

In [[Deir ez-Zor]], [[Al-Rastan]] and [[Abu Kamal]] the Free Syrian Army, however, engaged in street battles that raged for days with no particular side gaining the advantage. Recently, air support was used against them in [[Hama]], [[Homs]], [[Al-Rastan]], Deir ez-Zor and [[Deraa]].<ref name=Hafez/>

== Armed actions ==
{{See also|Timeline of the 2011 Syrian uprising (from September)}}
===September===
[[File:Syria 2004 CIA map.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Detailed map of Syria]]
In late September, Syrian government forces, backed by tanks and helicopters, led a major offensive on the city of [[Al-Rastan]], which had been under opposition control for the past couple weeks.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite news| url=http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCATRE79017Y20111001 | work=Reuters | title=Pro-Assad forces regain rebel Syrian town: agency | date=1 October 2011}}</ref> There were reports of large numbers of defections in the city, and the Free Syrian Army claimed it had destroyed 17 pro-Assad armoured vehicles during clashes in Rastan,<ref>{{cite web|last=Fielding |first=Abigail |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cf5a4510-eaa9-11e0-aeca-00144feab49a.html?ftcamp=rss |title=Syrian defectors battle Assad’s army |publisher=FT.com |date=29 September 2011 |accessdate=4 October 2011}}</ref> using RPGs and booby traps.<ref name="thenational1">{{cite web|author=Zoi Constantine |url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/middle-east/thousands-of-troops-desert-from-syrian-army |title=Thousands of troops desert from Syrian army |publisher=The National |date= |accessdate=4 October 2011}}</ref> The Al-Harmoush battalion also claimed to have killed 80 loyalist soldiers in fighting.<ref>{{cite web|author=Al Arabiya with agencies |url=http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/09/29/169224.html |title=Defected brigade says it has killed 80 members of Assad’s forces |publisher=Al Arabiya English |date=29 September 2011 |accessdate=4 October 2011}}</ref> A defected officer in the Syrian opposition claimed that over a hundred officers had defected as well as thousands of conscripts, although many had gone into hiding or home to their families, rather than fighting the loyalist forces.<ref name="thenational1"/> The fighting between the government forces and the Free Syrian Army was the longest and most intense action so far. After a week of fighting, the FSA was forced to retreat from Rastan.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> To avoid government forces, the leader of the FSA, Col. Riyad Asad, retreated to the [[Turkey|Turkish]] side of Syrian-Turkish border.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/04/us-syria-opposition-idUSL5E7L41CT20111004 | work=Reuters | title=Dissident Syrian colonel flees to Turkey | date=4 October 2011}}</ref>
===October===
By mid October, clashes between loyalist and defected army units were being reported fairly regularly. On 13 October, clashes were reported in the town of [[Harra]] in the south of Syria that resulted in the death of two rebel and six loyalist soldiers, according to the London based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/clashes-between-syrian-troops-and-army-defectors-kill-at-least-13/2011/10/13/gIQAp0vMhL_story.html | deadurl=yes}} {{Dead link|date=November 2011|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref> Clashes were also reported in [[Banish]] with a total of 14 fatalities for both affected towns, including rebels, loyalists and civilians.<ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=241610 Activist group: Fourteen killed in Syrian vi... JPost - Headlines]</ref> A few days later on 17 October, five government troops were killed in the town of [[Qusair]], near the border with Lebanon, and 17 people were reported wounded in battles with defectors in the town of [[Hass]], although it was unclear if the wounded included civilians.<ref>[http://www.mail.com/news/world/770626-activists-syrian-forces-fight-defectors-5-killed.html Activists: Syrian forces fight defectors; 5 killed - World news]</ref> According to the London based organization, an estimated 11 government soldiers were killed that day, four of which were killed in a bombing. It was not clear if the defectors linked to these incidents were connected to the Free Syrian Army.<ref>[http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/afp/11-troops-killed-as-un-chief-urges-end-to-syria-violence/472317 11 troops killed as UN chief urges end to Syria violence | The Jakarta Globe]</ref>

On 20 October, the opposition claimed that clashes occurred between loyalists and defectors in Burhaniya near Homs, leading to the death of several soldiers and the destruction of two military vehicles.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/10/21/idINIndia-60042820111021 | work=Reuters | title=Gaddafi is Africa's latest "Big Man" to fall | date=21 October 2011}}</ref>

Clashes occurred in the north western town Maarat al-Numaan on 25 October between loyalists and defected soldiers at a roadblock on the edge of the town. The defectors launched an assault on the government held roadblock in retaliation against a raid on their positions the previous night.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/10/25/idINIndia-60114220111025 | work=Reuters | title=Assad forces fight deserters at northwestern town | date=25 October 2011}}</ref>

On 26 October, the opposition claimed that nine soldiers were killed by a rocket-propelled grenade when it hit their bus in the village of Hamrat, near Hama. The gunmen who attacked the bus are believed to be defected soldiers.<ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=243228 Report: 9 Syrian soldiers killed in attack - JPost - Headlines]</ref>

Oppositions claimed that 17 pro Assad soldiers were killed in Homs on 29 October during fighting with suspected army deserters, including a defected senior official who was aiding the rebel soldiers. Two armoured personnel carriers were disabled in the fighting. Later that number would say to be 20 Syrian soldiers were killed and 53 wounded in clashes with presumed army deserters, according to [[Agence France Presse]]. In a separate incident, 10 security agents and a deserter were killed in a bus ambush near the Turkish border, activists said, AFP reports. The Observatory said the bus was transporting security agents between the villages of Al-Habit and Kafrnabuda in Idlib province when it was ambushed "by armed men, probably deserters".<ref>[http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/world/263790/syria-bloodletting-spurs-new-arab-warning Bangkok Post : 20 Syrian soldiers killed in 'clashes with deserters']</ref><ref>[http://www.agi.it/english-version/world/elenco-notizie/201110291302-pol-ren1023-syria_deserters_kill_17_soldiers_in_homs AGI News On - SYRIA: DESERTERS KILL 17 SOLDIERS IN HOMS]</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15508630 | work=BBC News | title=Syria's Assad warns of 'earthquake' if West intervenes | date=30 October 2011}}</ref>
===November===
On the 1 November, "dozens" of armoured vehicles allegedly converged on a village in the Kafroma in Idlib, as defected soldiers (it is unknown if they are associated with the Free Syrian Army) apparently killed an unknown number of Syrian soldiers.<ref>in the Kafroma in Idlib.</ref>

On the 5 November at least nine people died in clashes between soldiers, protesters and defectors and four Shabeeha were killed in Idlib, reportedly by army deserters.<ref>[http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/Syria Syria Live Blog | Al Jazeera Blogs]</ref> On the same day, the state-news agency [[Syrian Arab News Agency|SANA]] reported the deaths of 13 soldiers and policemen as a result of clashes with armed groups.<ref>[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2011/1105/1224307106510.html At least nine dead in Syria as regime pledges to free prisoners - The Irish Times - Sat, Nov 05, 2011]</ref> According to SANA, four policemen were also wounded in clashes with an armed group in Kanaker in the Damascus countryside, while one of the armed individuals died. Additionally two explosive devices were also allegedly dismantled.<ref>[http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/11/05/379925.htm Syrian Arab news agency - SANA - Syria : Syria news ::]</ref>

More army defections were reported in Damascus on 10 November, three out of at least nine defectors were shot dead by loyalist gunmen after abandoning their posts. The same day, clashes reportedly resulted in the death of a fifteen year old boy in Khan Sheikhoun, when he was caught in crossfire between Assad loyalists and the free army.<ref name="uk.reuters.com">{{cite news| url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/11/10/uk-syria-killings-idUKTRE7A95LD20111110 | work=Reuters | title=Syria crackdown, attacks on army kill 25 - activists | date=10 November 2011}}</ref> Also on the 10 November "at least four soldiers in the regular army were killed at dawn in an attack, headed by armed men - probably deserters - on a military checkpoint in Has region, near Maaret al-Numan town" according to the Syrian Observatory for Human rights.<ref>[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/girl-soldiers-among-21-killed-in-syria/story-e6frf7jx-1226192181916 Girl, soldiers among 21 killed in Syria | Herald Sun]</ref> However, the number has also been put at five soldiers.<ref name="uk.reuters.com"/> A checkpoint in Maarat al-Numaan three kilometers south of Homs also came under attack by defectors, resulting in an increase in tank deployment by Syrian security forces in the city.<ref name="uk.reuters.com"/>

On 11 November, [[Reuters]] reported that 26 soldiers were killed,<ref name="msnbc.msn.com">[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45252656/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/ 26 soldiers killed as Syria protesters fight back - World news - Mideast/N. Africa - msnbc.com]</ref> while Syrian state media reported the lower figure of 20 soldiers killed at this time.<ref name="sana.sy">[http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/11/13/381276.htm Syrian Arab news agency - SANA - Syria : Syria news ::]</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">[http://www.sana.sy/print.html?sid=381096&newlang=eng Syrian Arab news agency - SANA - Syria : Syria news]</ref> For November, there have been conflicting reports of the number of Syrian soldiers injured and killed. For the month up until 13 November, the [[2011 Syrian uprising#Local coordination committees|Local Coordination Committees]] have reported about 20 deaths,<ref name="msnbc.msn.com"/> the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights has reported more than 100 deaths,<ref name="msnbc.msn.com"/> and the Syrian state media SANA has reported 71 deaths.<ref name="sana.sy"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>[http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/11/08/380471.htm Syrian Arab news agency - SANA - Syria : Syria news ::]</ref><ref>[http://www.sana.sy/print.html?sid=380614&newlang=eng Syrian Arab news agency - SANA - Syria : Syria news]</ref><ref>[http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/11/07/380048.htm Syrian Arab news agency - SANA - Syria : Syria news ::]</ref><ref>[http://www.sana.sy/print.html?sid=379484&newlang=eng Syrian Arab news agency - SANA - Syria : Syria news]</ref><ref>[http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/11/03/379741.htm Syrian Arab news agency - SANA - Syria : Syria news ::]</ref>

On the 14 November, 34 soldiers and 12 defectors were killed in clashes in an ambush by the Free Syrian Army in Deraa. The death toll as a result of the fighting also included 23 civilians.<ref>[http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=1759907 Syrian soldiers killed in clash with defectors - Taiwan News Online]</ref>

On the 15 November, eight soldiers and security forces troops were killed by an assault on a checkpoint in Hama province, according to activists.<ref>[http://m.ibtimes.com/syria-news-free-syrian-army-assad-250587.html Syria: Army Defectors Storm Miltary Bases]</ref>

On the 16 November, an air force intelligence complex on the edges of Damascus was attacked. According to the Free Syrian Army, they did so with machine guns and rockets, leading to the death of at least six soldiers with twenty others wounded. A western diplomat said the assault was "hugely symbolic and tactically new".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/16/us-syria-idUSL5E7MD0GZ20111116 | work=Reuters | title=Arab League steps up pressure on Syria | date=16 November 2011}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated2 />

The Free Syrian Army launched an assault against the Baath party youth headquarters in Idlib the next day with RPG's and small arms.<ref>http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/Nov-17/154380-syria-rebels-hit-ruling-party-after-raid-on-intelligence.ashx#axzz1dxwFmd5Q</ref>

The state news agency SANA reported the deaths of three Syrian troops as a result of a bomb blast, with an officer also critically wounded and two law-enforcement agents injured.<ref>http://www.presstv.ir/detail/210788.html</ref>

Three members of the security forces were reportedly killed on the 18th/19th November by the Free Syrian Army. <ref>http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/Syria</ref> Multiple attacks on the 19th by "armed terrorists" were also reported by the state news agency SANA.<ref>http://www.sana.sy/print.html?sid=382424&newlang=eng</ref> They allege that ten "wanted terrorists" were captured in Maarat al-Numan.<ref>www.guardiorsan.co.uk/world/2011/nov/18/syria-delays-monit</ref>

According to Reuters, two rocket propelled grenades hit a Baath party building in Damascus on the 20th. This if true is highly significant; it is the first attack of this kind within the capital itself and would lend weight to the Free Syrian Army's claim that it can strike anywhere in Syria. According to Reuters, a witness said: "Security police blocked off the square where the Baath's Damascus branch is located. But I saw smoke rising from the building and fire trucks around it." The building was reportedly mostly empty in the attack which took place before dawn and was seemingly a message to the regime.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/20/us-syria-idUSL5E7MD0GZ20111120 | work=Reuters | title=Arab League rebuffs Syria on monitors | date=20 November 2011}}</ref> However, an AFP reporter went to the area and saw no signs of the claimed attack while residents said that there had been no explosions. <ref>http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/20/assad-vows-no-exit-as-arab-deadline-passes.html</ref> Colonel Asad himself denied that the Free Syrian Army was responsible for the attack. It is therefore likely that it was a provocation by the Assad regime.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omJSyRoXLqc</ref>

On the 22nd of November, the Free Syrian Army claimed responsibility for killing eight members of the security forces.<ref>http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=234185123315643&set=a.227231060677716.56299.227208994013256&type=1</ref>

On Tuesday 23rd November, five defected soldiers were killed; four in a farm near Deraa where they were hiding and one near the Lebanese border, according to Reuters. If there was a confrontation between the soldiers and government troops is unclear. Any government troop casualties as a result of these clashes are also unknown.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/22/us-syria-killings-toll-idUSTRE7AL2SC20111122 | work=Reuters | title=Syrian forces kill 23 civilians, 5 deserters: group | date=22 November 2011}}</ref>

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, on the 24th November soldiers and Shabiha with armoured vehicles allegedly started operations in farmland west of Rastan to hunt down defectors. 24 people died as a result (if they were soldiers, defectors or civilians is not made clear). At least fifty tanks and other armed vehicles opened fire with 50 cal. machine guns and anti aircraft weapons on positones held by the Free Syrian Army on Rastan's outskirts. Deaths were also reported in Darr'a and Homs<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/24/syrian-army-bashar-al-assad?newsfeed=true | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Ian | last=Black | title=Syrian army shells rebels as Bashar al-Assad given 24-hour ultimatum | date=24 November 2011}}</ref>

Six elite piots, four technical officers and three other personnel were killed in Homs in an ambush on the 24th November. The Syrian government vowed to "cut every evil hand" of the attackers as a result. It is unclear who is behind the attacks, but it is most likely the Free Syrian Army.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/25/syria-military-cut-evil-hand | location=London | work=The Guardian | title=Syrian military vows to 'cut every evil hand' of attackers | date=25 November 2011}}</ref><ref>http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16117757</ref>

At least 10 troops and security service agents were killed in clashes with mutinous soldiers in the east of Syria, a human rights group said on Saturday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the deaths occurred late Friday in Deir Ezzor while early Saturday a civilian was also killed in the eastern city. Several defectors were also killed or wounded.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/syrian-activists-report-fierce-clashes-between-army-defectors-in-countrys-east/2011/11/26/gIQA8lU1xN_story.html | work=The Washington Post | first=Greg | last=Jaffe}}</ref><ref>http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gDIfDFTAnqRVhyrOZnsMonlH3Z4A?docId=CNG.d2cb7fcead198fb5fcf3ea88ef8ea035.a1</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/nov/26/egypt-syria-morocco-protest-elections | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=David | last=Batty | title=Egypt: protests continue in runup to elections – live}}</ref>

== Command structure ==
=== Leadership ===
{{Syria Labelled Map|float=right}}

The Free Syrian Army operates its central command from a camp in Turkey's southern [[Hatay province]], close to the Syrian border, and its field command from inside Syria.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/28/world/europe/turkey-is-sheltering-antigovernment-syrian-militia.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2 | work=The New York Times | first=Liam | last=Stack | title=Turkey Shelters Anti-Assad Group, the Free Syrian Army | date=27 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.economist.com/node/21534827 | work=The Economist | title=Cracks in the army | date=29 October 2011}}</ref> The FSA has declared the following command structure.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15563900 Q&A: The Free Syrian Army], BBC News, 16 Nov 2011</ref> [[Colonel]] [[Riyad al-Asad]] is the Commander-in-Chief,<ref name=FSA1114/><ref name="wtarc"/> Colonel Malik Kurdi is his deputy, and Colonel Ahmed Hijazi is the Chief of Staff of the Free Syrian Army.<ref name=Leverrier>{{cite news|last=Leverrier|first=Ignace|title=What is known about the Free Syrian Army|url=http://syrie.blog.lemonde.fr/2011/10/17/que-sait-on-de-l%E2%80%99armee-syrienne-libre/#comments|accessdate=21 October 2011|newspaper=Le Monde|date=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref name=Abdulhamid>{{cite web|last=Abdulhamid|first=Ammar|title=Syrian Revolution Digest|url=http://syrianrevolutiondigest.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-10-16T23%3A52%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=7|accessdate=16 October 2011}}</ref>

====Battalion Commanders====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Commander !! Battalion
|-
|Lt. Col. Abdul Satar Yunsu || Hamza Khateeb
|-
|Capt. Ammar Al-Wawi || Ababeel<ref name=FSA1114/>
|-
|Capt. Ayham al-Kurdi || Abu Fida<ref>http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/11/25/gun-smuggling-business-is-booming-thanks-to-syrian-uprising/</ref>
|-
|Capt. Abdelaziz Tlass || Khalid Bin Walid<ref name=Burch/><ref name=Abdulhamid/>
|-
|Capt. Ibrahim Majbur || Hurriya<ref name=WT0927/><ref name=Abdulhamid/>
|-
|Capt. Riyad Ahmad || Samer Nunu
|-
|Capt. Qais Qata’neh ||Omari
|-
|Lt. Mazen al-Zein || Qassam
|-
| Maher Al-Rahmoun || Moawiyah Bin Abi Sufian
|-
| Youssef Yahya || Harmoush
|-
| Muhammad Tayseer Ousso || Suqur
|-
| Wassim al-Khalid || Abu Obeidah bin Al-Jarrah
|-
|}

=== Battalions ===
As of October 2011, the Free Syrian Army has according to its deputy commander twenty-two battalions. The battalions are spread across the country in its thirteen different [[Governorates of Syria|governorates]]. The battalions are:<ref name=Hafez>{{cite news|last=Hafez|first=Salam|title=Syrian Opposition Call for No-Fly Zone|url=http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/124717/syrian-opposition-call-for-no-fly-zone.html|accessdate=8 October 2011|newspaper=The Journal of Turkish Weekly|date=8 October 2011}}</ref><ref name=WT0927/><ref name=Abdulhamid/>

{{Div col|cols=3}}
*Khalid bin Walid battalion ([[Homs]] city)<ref name=Rosen />
*Hamzah Al-Khateeb battalion ([[Idlib Governorate|Idlib]] city)
*Al-Harmoush battalion ([[Idlib Governorate|Idlib]] province)<ref name=Mouterde>{{cite news|last=Mouterde|first=Perrine|title=‘Free Syrian Army’ poses growing threat to Assad|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20111014-free-syria-army-opposition-bashar-al-assad-exile-turkey-batallion|accessdate=16 October 2011|newspaper=France 24|date=14 October 2011}}</ref>
*Salaheddine Al-Ayoubi battalion ([[Jisr ash-Shugur]])
*Qashoush battalion ([[Hama]] city)<ref>[http://syriarevolts.wordpress.com Syria Revolts | Documenting the Syrian uprising]</ref>
*Aboul Fidaa battalion ([[Hama]] province)
*Saad Bin Moaz battalion ([[Hama Governorate|Hama]] province)
*Moawiyah Bin Abi Sufian ([[Damascus]] city)
*Abu Obeidah bin Al-Jarrah battalion ([[Damascus Governorate|Damascus]] province)
*Houriyeh battalion ([[Aleppo Governorate|Aleppo]] city)
*Ababeel battalion ([[Aleppo Governorate|Aleppo]] province)
*Omari battalion ([[Daraa Governorate|Daraa]]/[[Hauran]])
*Sultan Pasha Al-Atrash battalion ([[As-Suwayda Governorate|As-Suwayda]])
*Qassam battalion ([[Jableh]])
*Suqur battalion ([[Latakia]])
*Samer Nunu battalion ([[Tartus Governorate|Baniyas]])
*Mishaal Tammo battalion ([[Al Qamishli|Qamishli]])
*Odai Al-Tayi battalion ([[Al-Hasakah|Hasakah]])
*Omar Ibn al-Khattab battalion ([[Deir ez-Zor Governorate|Deir ez-Zor]] city)<ref>[http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=317759&MID=0&PID=0 Lebanon news - NOW Lebanon -Assad is growing weaker]</ref>
*Moaz Al-Raqad battalion ([[Deir ez-Zor Governorate|Deir ez-Zor]] province)
*Allahu Akbar battalion ([[Deir ez-Zor Governorate|Abu Kamal]])
*Ahmad Nayif Al-Sukhni battalion ([[Ar-Raqqah Governorate|Ar-Raqqah]]){{Div col end}}

==International Support==
The Libyan [[National Transitional Council]] announced in November 2011 that it had been in talks with the Syrian National Council and was considering supplying weapons and volunteer fighters of the [[National Liberation Army (Libya)|National Liberation Army]] to the Free Syrian Army, and that international intervention may only be weeks away. According to people with links to the National Council, the Libyans were offering money, weapons and training forces loyal to the Syrian National Council.<ref>http://www.smh.com.au/world/libya-to-arm-rebels-in-syria-20111126-1o088.html|name = Libya to arm syrian rebels| access date = November 27 2011| date = November 27 2011| agency = Sydney Morning Herald</ref><ref>http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/11/26/179274.html|name = syrian dissidents to get arms, volunteers from Libya| date = 26 November 2011| access = 27 November 2011 | agency = Al Arabiya</ref>

== See also ==
*[[Alliance of Yemeni Tribes]]
*[[National Liberation Army (Libya)]]

== References==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
*{{facebook|freesyrianarmy.alas3ad}} {{Ar icon}} (official website)
*{{youtube|SZcCbIPM37w|Original video declaration of formation}} {{Ar icon}}

{{2011 Syrian uprising}}

[[Category:2011 in Syria]]
[[Category:2011 Syrian protests]]
[[Category:Rebellions in Syria]]
[[Category:Guerrilla organizations]]

[[ar:الجيش السوري الحر]]
[[es:Ejército Libre de Siria]]
[[he:הצבא הסורי החופשי]]
[[tr:Özgür Suriye Ordusu]]
[[zh:自由叙利亚军]]

Freie Syrische Armee

2011-11-29T15:32:48Z

Sopher99: Undid revision 463099731 by 212.174.165.206 (talk)

{{Distinguish|Syrian Army}}

{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=Free Syrian Army الجيش السوري الحر
|image=[[File:Free Syrian Army Green Logo.jpg|150px]]
|caption= Official logo of Free Syrian Army
|dates= July 2011–present
|country= [[Syria]], [[Turkey]], [[Lebanon]], [[Jordan]], [[Iraq]]
|allegiance=[[Syrian National Council]]
|branch=[[Army]]
|type= [[Light Infantry]]
|role= Civilian protection, Guerrilla warfare
|size= 20,000<ref name=Hafez/><ref name=WT0927>{{cite news|title=Thousands of Syrian Army defectors join militias|url=http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2011/me_syria1207_09_27.asp|accessdate=5 October 2011|newspaper=World tribune|date=27 September 2011}}</ref><ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/8868027/15000-strong-army-gathers-to-take-on-Syria.html|newspaper = Telegraph|Access date = 4/11/11|date = 4/4/11</ref>
|command_structure=
|garrison=[[Hatay]], [[Turkey]]
|garrison_label= Main Bases
|nickname= Free Officers Movement ({{lang-ar|حركة الضباط الأحرار}})
|patron=
|motto= '''Free Army, Free Syria!''' '''Soldiers of Democracy''' '''People's Forces'''
|colors=[[Green]], [[Red]], [[White]] and [[Black]]
|colors_label=
|march=
|mascot=
|battles=
[[2011 Syrian uprising]]
*[[Siege of Rastan and Talbiseh]]
*[[October 2011 Jabal al-Zawiya clashes]]
*[[Siege of Homs]]
*[[Siege of Rif Dimashq]]
*[[Damascus clashes]]
*[[Homs Province Ambush]]
*[[2011 Daraa province clashes|Daraa Province]]
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|battle_honours=

|commander1= [[Colonel]] [[Riyad al-Asad]]
|commander1_label=Commander-in-Chief
|commander2= Colonel Malik Kurdi
|commander2_label=Deputy Commander-in-Chief
|commander3= Colonel Ahmed Hijazi<ref name=FSA1114>{{cite web|title=Statement: 14 November 2011|url=http://www.facebook.com/freesyrianarmy.alas3ad|publiser=Free Syrian Army}}</ref><ref>[http://syrianrevolutiondigest.blogspot.com/2011/11/war-of-worlds-syria-edition.html Syrian Revolution Digest: War of the Worlds – Syria Edition!]</ref>
|commander3_label=Chief of Staff
|notable_commanders=

|identification_symbol=[[File:Syria-flag 1932-58 1961-63.svg|75px]]
|identification_symbol_label= Identification mark

|aircraft_attack=
|aircraft_bomber=
|aircraft_electronic=
|aircraft_fighter=
|aircraft_helicopter=
|aircraft_helicopter_attack=
|aircraft_helicopter_cargo=
|aircraft_helicopter_multirole=
|aircraft_helicopter_observation=
|aircraft_helicopter_transport=
|aircraft_helicopter_utility=
|aircraft_interceptor=
|aircraft_patrol=
|aircraft_recon=
|aircraft_trainer=
|aircraft_transport=
}}

The '''Free Syrian Army''' ({{lang-ar|الجيش السوري الحر}}, ''al-jayš as-suri al-ħurr'') is the main opposition army group in [[Syria]].<ref name=Albayrak/> It is composed of defected [[Syrian Armed Forces]] personnel, who have been active during the [[2011 Syrian uprising]].<ref name=Albayrak/> The formation of the opposition army group was announced on 29 July 2011 in a web video released by a group of uniformed defectors from the Syrian military, who called upon members of the army to defect and join them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/?p=11043|title=Free Syrian Army Founded by Seven Officers to Fight the Syrian Army|publisher=Syria Comment|first=Joshua|last=Landis|date=29 July 2011|accessdate=7 August 2011}}</ref> The leader of the men, who identified himself as Colonel [[Riyad al-Asad]], announced that the FSA would work with demonstrators to bring down the system and declared that all security forces attacking civilians are justified targets.<ref name="wtarc">{{cite news|url=http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2011/me_syria0973_08_03.asp|title=Defecting troops form 'Free Syrian Army', target Assad security forces|agency=World Tribune|date=3 August 2011|accessdate=7 August 2011}}</ref><ref name="sharq">{{cite news|url=http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=26095|agency=Asharq Alawsat|title=Syrian Army Colonel Defects forms Free Syrian Army|date=1 August 2011|accessdate=7 August 2011}}</ref> Riyad al-Asad emphasised that the Free Syrian Army has no political goals except the liberation of Syria from [[Bashar Assad|Bashar Assad's]] regime.<ref name=AlArabiya>{{cite news|title=Commander of Free Syrian Army: Al Asad to face Gaddafi's fate|url=http://en.trend.az/regions/met/arabicr/1929681.html|accessdate=22 October 2011|newspaper=Trend|date=10 September 2011}}</ref><ref name=Abbas>{{cite news|last=Abbas|first=Thair|title=Asharq Al-Awsat visits the Free Syrian Army|url=http://awsat-e.com/news.asp?section=3&id=26872|accessdate=22 October 2011|newspaper=Asharq Al-Awsat|date=10 September 2011}}</ref>

The Free Syrian Army has also stated that the conflict is not sectarian, and that they have in their ranks Alawis who oppose the regime, and that there will be no reprisals when the regime falls.<ref name=Hafez/> On 23 September 2011, the Free Syrian Army merged with the Free Officers Movement ({{lang-ar|حركة الضباط الأحرار}}, ''ħarakat al-ḍubbaṭ al-aħrar'') and became the main opposition army group.<ref name=Albayrak>{{cite news|last=Albayrak|first=Ayla|title=Turkey Plans Military Exercise on Syrian Border|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204524604576610781937462842.html|accessdate=4 October 2011|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=4 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Syria Army Defectors Press Conference - 9-23-11|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttfy6h2BMyo|publisher=Syria2011archives|accessdate=9 October 2011}}</ref><ref name=Burch>{{cite news|last=Burch|first=Johnathon|title=War is only option to topple Syrian leader|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/07/us-turkey-syria-colonel-idUSTRE7964OQ20111007|accessdate=7 October 2011|newspaper=Reuters|date=7 October 2011}}</ref> As of October there were estimates of 20,000 defectors from the armed forces, although not all defectors chose to actively participate with the Free Syrian Army.<ref name=IWPR>{{cite web|last=Hafez|first=Salem|title=Syria: How Far Has Uprising Spread?|url=http://iwpr.net/report-news/syria-how-far-has-uprising-spread|publisher=Institute for War and Peace Reporting|accessdate=27 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/27/world/middleeast/army-defectors-in-syria-take-credit-for-deadly-attack.html | work=The New York Times | first=Nada | last=Bakri | title=Defectors Claim Attack That Killed Syrian Soldiers | date=26 October 2011}}</ref>

According to their leader Colonel al-Asad, as of November 2011, the FSA gained 100 to 300 members every time it mounted an attack. The group’s fighters had seen combat in the eastern town of Deir al-Zour, the port city of Latakia, the northern province of Idlib, the southern area of Daraa, where the uprising began, in suburbs of the capital [[Damascus]], the city of Aleppo and the central towns of Homs and Hama.<ref>http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-11-18/free-syrian-army-seeks-no-fly-zone-vows-to-reach-palace.html</ref>

==History==
=== Declaration of formation ===
In the Free Syrian Army’s first statement, Riyad al-Asad explained that the opposition army’s formation resulted “from our nationalistic duty, our loyalty to the people, our sense of the current need for conclusive decisions to stop the regime’s massacres that cannot be tolerated any longer, and resulting from the army’s responsibility to protect the unarmed free people.” And he proceeded to “announce the formation of the free Syrian army to work hand in hand with the people to achieve freedom and dignity, bring the regime down, protect the revolution and the country’s resources, and stand in the face of the irresponsible military machine that protects the regime.”<ref name="sharq"/>

Asad continued by calling on the officers and men of the Syrian army to "defect from the army, stop pointing their rifles at their people's chests, join the free army, and form a national army that can protect the revolution and all sections of the Syrian people with all their sects." He continued that the Syrian army "[represents] gangs that protect the regime" and declared, "as of now, the security forces that kill civilians and besiege cities will be treated as legitimate targets. We will target them in all parts of the Syrian territories without exception.<ref name="sharq"/>

[[File:FSA-grab.png|200px|thumb|left|Colonel [[Riyad al-Asad]] and others announcing the FSA's formation in an online video statement]]

As no confirmed evidence of an organized Free Syrian Army beyond video statements was produced in the beginning, its existence was questioned by some sources.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/?p=11060&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Syriacomment+%28Syria+Comment%29|title=Is the Free Syrian Army Real?|first=Joshua|last=Landis|publisher=Syria Comment|date=30 July 2011|accessdate=8 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/aug/02syria-destruction-bashar-al-assad|agency=The Guardian|date=2 August 2011|accessdate=8 August 2011|title=Syria is on course for destruction|first=Fadwa|last=Al-Hatem|location=London}}</ref> However in late August, a top member of the organization, colonel Hussein Harmoush, was detained during a special operation by Syrian forces in Idlib and confessed on state television that he was a member of the opposition army and that while in the Syrian army he was not forced to shoot on protesters.<ref>[http://www.dp-news.com/en/detail.aspx?articleid=96766 Lt. Col. Hussein Harmoush told his part at “Syria Uprising” | English | NEWS | DayPress]</ref> Since August, the Free Syrian Army has also made a number of interviews with the international media from both locations on the Syrian-Turkish border and inside Syria.<ref name=Rosen>{{cite news |title=Syria: The revolution will be weaponised |first=Nir |last=Rosen |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/09/201192315735281764.html |work=[[Al Jazeera English]] |date=23 September 2011 |accessdate=30 October 2011}}</ref>

According to its leader, the Free Syrian Army "aims to be the military wing of the Syrian peoples opposition to the regime".<ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{cite news| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/8868027/15000-strong-army-gathers-to-take-on-Syria.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=Ruth | last=Sherlock | title='15,000 strong' army gathers to take on Syria | date=3 November 2011}}</ref> He also asked that the international community help arm the opposition army and impose a no fly zone and a naval blockade of Syria<ref name=Burch/><ref name="telegraph.co.uk"/>

On 16 November, the FSA released a statement which announced that a temporary military council had been formed, in an effort to weaken the Pro Assad forces.<ref name=autogenerated2>[http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Syrian-Army-Defectors-Go-on-Offense-Militarizing-Syrias-Uprising-133963348.html Syrian Army Defectors Go on Offense, Militarizing Syria's Uprising | News | English]</ref> On 17 November, the FSA announced the formation of the Sham Falcons battalion, pledging to Bashar al-Assad that "you will find us everywhere at all times, and you will see that which you do not expect, until we re-establish the rights and freedom of our people."<ref>{{cite web|last=Raman|first=Suby|title=The Beginnings of the Syrian Civil War|url=http://subyraman.com/the-beginnings-of-the-syrian-civil-war/}}</ref>

=== Military tactics ===
The soldiers on desertion have to abandon their armoured vehicles and, carrying only light weapons, hide in cities and suburbs. As the Syrian army is highly organised and well-armed, the Free Syrian Army has adopted [[Guerrilla warfare|guerrilla-style tactics]] in the countryside and cities, similar to those described in Guevara’s book ''[[Guerrilla Warfare (book)|Guerrilla Warfare]]''.<ref>Che Guevara: [http://www3.uakron.edu/worldciv/pascher/che.html Guerrilla Warfare]</ref> The FSA claims it actively engages and ambushes security forces and the state’s [[shabiha]] militia, but seldom confronts other regular army soldiers for fear of alienating them. Most of their attacks have been on buses bringing in security reinforcements, often by planting bombs or carrying out hit-and-run attacks.<ref name=Hafez/>

In order to encourage defections, the Free Syrian Army has been ambushing patrols and shooting their commanders and then convincing the rank and file to switch sides. Ninety percent of the Syrian Army soldiers are Sunni, while the commanders are mostly from [[Bashar al-Assad|Bashar Assad’s]] Alawi sect. The FSA battalions have also acted as defense forces in neighborhoods opposed to the government, guarding streets while protests take place and attacking the militias, known as shabiha, which are an integral part of the government's efforts to suppress dissent.<ref name=Sly>{{cite news|last=Sly|first=Liz|title=In Syria, defectors form dissident army in sign uprising may be entering new phase|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/in-syria-defectors-form-dissident-army-in-sign-uprising-may-be-entering-new-phase/2011/09/24/gIQAKef8wK_story_1.html|accessdate=6 October 2011|newspaper=Washington Post|date=25 September 2011}}</ref>

In [[Deir ez-Zor]], [[Al-Rastan]] and [[Abu Kamal]] the Free Syrian Army, however, engaged in street battles that raged for days with no particular side gaining the advantage. Recently, air support was used against them in [[Hama]], [[Homs]], [[Al-Rastan]], Deir ez-Zor and [[Deraa]].<ref name=Hafez/>

== Armed actions ==
{{See also|Timeline of the 2011 Syrian uprising (from September)}}
===September===
[[File:Syria 2004 CIA map.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Detailed map of Syria]]
In late September, Syrian government forces, backed by tanks and helicopters, led a major offensive on the city of [[Al-Rastan]], which had been under opposition control for the past couple weeks.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite news| url=http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCATRE79017Y20111001 | work=Reuters | title=Pro-Assad forces regain rebel Syrian town: agency | date=1 October 2011}}</ref> There were reports of large numbers of defections in the city, and the Free Syrian Army claimed it had destroyed 17 pro-Assad armoured vehicles during clashes in Rastan,<ref>{{cite web|last=Fielding |first=Abigail |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cf5a4510-eaa9-11e0-aeca-00144feab49a.html?ftcamp=rss |title=Syrian defectors battle Assad’s army |publisher=FT.com |date=29 September 2011 |accessdate=4 October 2011}}</ref> using RPGs and booby traps.<ref name="thenational1">{{cite web|author=Zoi Constantine |url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/middle-east/thousands-of-troops-desert-from-syrian-army |title=Thousands of troops desert from Syrian army |publisher=The National |date= |accessdate=4 October 2011}}</ref> The Al-Harmoush battalion also claimed to have killed 80 loyalist soldiers in fighting.<ref>{{cite web|author=Al Arabiya with agencies |url=http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/09/29/169224.html |title=Defected brigade says it has killed 80 members of Assad’s forces |publisher=Al Arabiya English |date=29 September 2011 |accessdate=4 October 2011}}</ref> A defected officer in the Syrian opposition claimed that over a hundred officers had defected as well as thousands of conscripts, although many had gone into hiding or home to their families, rather than fighting the loyalist forces.<ref name="thenational1"/> The fighting between the government forces and the Free Syrian Army was the longest and most intense action so far. After a week of fighting, the FSA was forced to retreat from Rastan.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> To avoid government forces, the leader of the FSA, Col. Riyad Asad, retreated to the [[Turkey|Turkish]] side of Syrian-Turkish border.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/04/us-syria-opposition-idUSL5E7L41CT20111004 | work=Reuters | title=Dissident Syrian colonel flees to Turkey | date=4 October 2011}}</ref>
===October===
By mid October, clashes between loyalist and defected army units were being reported fairly regularly. On 13 October, clashes were reported in the town of [[Harra]] in the south of Syria that resulted in the death of two rebel and six loyalist soldiers, according to the London based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/clashes-between-syrian-troops-and-army-defectors-kill-at-least-13/2011/10/13/gIQAp0vMhL_story.html | deadurl=yes}} {{Dead link|date=November 2011|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref> Clashes were also reported in [[Banish]] with a total of 14 fatalities for both affected towns, including rebels, loyalists and civilians.<ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=241610 Activist group: Fourteen killed in Syrian vi... JPost - Headlines]</ref> A few days later on 17 October, five government troops were killed in the town of [[Qusair]], near the border with Lebanon, and 17 people were reported wounded in battles with defectors in the town of [[Hass]], although it was unclear if the wounded included civilians.<ref>[http://www.mail.com/news/world/770626-activists-syrian-forces-fight-defectors-5-killed.html Activists: Syrian forces fight defectors; 5 killed - World news]</ref> According to the London based organization, an estimated 11 government soldiers were killed that day, four of which were killed in a bombing. It was not clear if the defectors linked to these incidents were connected to the Free Syrian Army.<ref>[http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/afp/11-troops-killed-as-un-chief-urges-end-to-syria-violence/472317 11 troops killed as UN chief urges end to Syria violence | The Jakarta Globe]</ref>

On 20 October, the opposition claimed that clashes occurred between loyalists and defectors in Burhaniya near Homs, leading to the death of several soldiers and the destruction of two military vehicles.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/10/21/idINIndia-60042820111021 | work=Reuters | title=Gaddafi is Africa's latest "Big Man" to fall | date=21 October 2011}}</ref>

Clashes occurred in the north western town Maarat al-Numaan on 25 October between loyalists and defected soldiers at a roadblock on the edge of the town. The defectors launched an assault on the government held roadblock in retaliation against a raid on their positions the previous night.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/10/25/idINIndia-60114220111025 | work=Reuters | title=Assad forces fight deserters at northwestern town | date=25 October 2011}}</ref>

On 26 October, the opposition claimed that nine soldiers were killed by a rocket-propelled grenade when it hit their bus in the village of Hamrat, near Hama. The gunmen who attacked the bus are believed to be defected soldiers.<ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=243228 Report: 9 Syrian soldiers killed in attack - JPost - Headlines]</ref>

Oppositions claimed that 17 pro Assad soldiers were killed in Homs on 29 October during fighting with suspected army deserters, including a defected senior official who was aiding the rebel soldiers. Two armoured personnel carriers were disabled in the fighting. Later that number would say to be 20 Syrian soldiers were killed and 53 wounded in clashes with presumed army deserters, according to [[Agence France Presse]]. In a separate incident, 10 security agents and a deserter were killed in a bus ambush near the Turkish border, activists said, AFP reports. The Observatory said the bus was transporting security agents between the villages of Al-Habit and Kafrnabuda in Idlib province when it was ambushed "by armed men, probably deserters".<ref>[http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/world/263790/syria-bloodletting-spurs-new-arab-warning Bangkok Post : 20 Syrian soldiers killed in 'clashes with deserters']</ref><ref>[http://www.agi.it/english-version/world/elenco-notizie/201110291302-pol-ren1023-syria_deserters_kill_17_soldiers_in_homs AGI News On - SYRIA: DESERTERS KILL 17 SOLDIERS IN HOMS]</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15508630 | work=BBC News | title=Syria's Assad warns of 'earthquake' if West intervenes | date=30 October 2011}}</ref>
===November===
On the 1 November, "dozens" of armoured vehicles allegedly converged on a village in the Kafroma in Idlib, as defected soldiers (it is unknown if they are associated with the Free Syrian Army) apparently killed an unknown number of Syrian soldiers.<ref>in the Kafroma in Idlib.</ref>

On the 5 November at least nine people died in clashes between soldiers, protesters and defectors and four Shabeeha were killed in Idlib, reportedly by army deserters.<ref>[http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/Syria Syria Live Blog | Al Jazeera Blogs]</ref> On the same day, the state-news agency [[Syrian Arab News Agency|SANA]] reported the deaths of 13 soldiers and policemen as a result of clashes with armed groups.<ref>[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2011/1105/1224307106510.html At least nine dead in Syria as regime pledges to free prisoners - The Irish Times - Sat, Nov 05, 2011]</ref> According to SANA, four policemen were also wounded in clashes with an armed group in Kanaker in the Damascus countryside, while one of the armed individuals died. Additionally two explosive devices were also allegedly dismantled.<ref>[http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/11/05/379925.htm Syrian Arab news agency - SANA - Syria : Syria news ::]</ref>

More army defections were reported in Damascus on 10 November, three out of at least nine defectors were shot dead by loyalist gunmen after abandoning their posts. The same day, clashes reportedly resulted in the death of a fifteen year old boy in Khan Sheikhoun, when he was caught in crossfire between Assad loyalists and the free army.<ref name="uk.reuters.com">{{cite news| url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/11/10/uk-syria-killings-idUKTRE7A95LD20111110 | work=Reuters | title=Syria crackdown, attacks on army kill 25 - activists | date=10 November 2011}}</ref> Also on the 10 November "at least four soldiers in the regular army were killed at dawn in an attack, headed by armed men - probably deserters - on a military checkpoint in Has region, near Maaret al-Numan town" according to the Syrian Observatory for Human rights.<ref>[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/girl-soldiers-among-21-killed-in-syria/story-e6frf7jx-1226192181916 Girl, soldiers among 21 killed in Syria | Herald Sun]</ref> However, the number has also been put at five soldiers.<ref name="uk.reuters.com"/> A checkpoint in Maarat al-Numaan three kilometers south of Homs also came under attack by defectors, resulting in an increase in tank deployment by Syrian security forces in the city.<ref name="uk.reuters.com"/>

On 11 November, [[Reuters]] reported that 26 soldiers were killed,<ref name="msnbc.msn.com">[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45252656/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/ 26 soldiers killed as Syria protesters fight back - World news - Mideast/N. Africa - msnbc.com]</ref> while Syrian state media reported the lower figure of 20 soldiers killed at this time.<ref name="sana.sy">[http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/11/13/381276.htm Syrian Arab news agency - SANA - Syria : Syria news ::]</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">[http://www.sana.sy/print.html?sid=381096&newlang=eng Syrian Arab news agency - SANA - Syria : Syria news]</ref> For November, there have been conflicting reports of the number of Syrian soldiers injured and killed. For the month up until 13 November, the [[2011 Syrian uprising#Local coordination committees|Local Coordination Committees]] have reported about 20 deaths,<ref name="msnbc.msn.com"/> the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights has reported more than 100 deaths,<ref name="msnbc.msn.com"/> and the Syrian state media SANA has reported 71 deaths.<ref name="sana.sy"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>[http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/11/08/380471.htm Syrian Arab news agency - SANA - Syria : Syria news ::]</ref><ref>[http://www.sana.sy/print.html?sid=380614&newlang=eng Syrian Arab news agency - SANA - Syria : Syria news]</ref><ref>[http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/11/07/380048.htm Syrian Arab news agency - SANA - Syria : Syria news ::]</ref><ref>[http://www.sana.sy/print.html?sid=379484&newlang=eng Syrian Arab news agency - SANA - Syria : Syria news]</ref><ref>[http://www.sana.sy/eng/337/2011/11/03/379741.htm Syrian Arab news agency - SANA - Syria : Syria news ::]</ref>

On the 14 November, 34 soldiers and 12 defectors were killed in clashes in an ambush by the Free Syrian Army in Deraa. The death toll as a result of the fighting also included 23 civilians.<ref>[http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=1759907 Syrian soldiers killed in clash with defectors - Taiwan News Online]</ref>

On the 15 November, eight soldiers and security forces troops were killed by an assault on a checkpoint in Hama province, according to activists.<ref>[http://m.ibtimes.com/syria-news-free-syrian-army-assad-250587.html Syria: Army Defectors Storm Miltary Bases]</ref>

On the 16 November, an air force intelligence complex on the edges of Damascus was attacked. According to the Free Syrian Army, they did so with machine guns and rockets, leading to the death of at least six soldiers with twenty others wounded. A western diplomat said the assault was "hugely symbolic and tactically new".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/16/us-syria-idUSL5E7MD0GZ20111116 | work=Reuters | title=Arab League steps up pressure on Syria | date=16 November 2011}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated2 />

The Free Syrian Army launched an assault against the Baath party youth headquarters in Idlib the next day with RPG's and small arms.<ref>http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/Nov-17/154380-syria-rebels-hit-ruling-party-after-raid-on-intelligence.ashx#axzz1dxwFmd5Q</ref>

The state news agency SANA reported the deaths of three Syrian troops as a result of a bomb blast, with an officer also critically wounded and two law-enforcement agents injured.<ref>http://www.presstv.ir/detail/210788.html</ref>

Three members of the security forces were reportedly killed on the 18th/19th November by the Free Syrian Army. <ref>http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/Syria</ref> Multiple attacks on the 19th by "armed terrorists" were also reported by the state news agency SANA.<ref>http://www.sana.sy/print.html?sid=382424&newlang=eng</ref> They allege that ten "wanted terrorists" were captured in Maarat al-Numan.<ref>www.guardiorsan.co.uk/world/2011/nov/18/syria-delays-monit</ref>

According to Reuters, two rocket propelled grenades hit a Baath party building in Damascus on the 20th. This if true is highly significant; it is the first attack of this kind within the capital itself and would lend weight to the Free Syrian Army's claim that it can strike anywhere in Syria. According to Reuters, a witness said: "Security police blocked off the square where the Baath's Damascus branch is located. But I saw smoke rising from the building and fire trucks around it." The building was reportedly mostly empty in the attack which took place before dawn and was seemingly a message to the regime.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/20/us-syria-idUSL5E7MD0GZ20111120 | work=Reuters | title=Arab League rebuffs Syria on monitors | date=20 November 2011}}</ref> However, an AFP reporter went to the area and saw no signs of the claimed attack while residents said that there had been no explosions. <ref>http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/20/assad-vows-no-exit-as-arab-deadline-passes.html</ref> Colonel Asad himself denied that the Free Syrian Army was responsible for the attack. It is therefore likely that it was a provocation by the Assad regime.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omJSyRoXLqc</ref>

On the 22nd of November, the Free Syrian Army claimed responsibility for killing eight members of the security forces.<ref>http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=234185123315643&set=a.227231060677716.56299.227208994013256&type=1</ref>

On Tuesday 23rd November, five defected soldiers were killed; four in a farm near Deraa where they were hiding and one near the Lebanese border, according to Reuters. If there was a confrontation between the soldiers and government troops is unclear. Any government troop casualties as a result of these clashes are also unknown.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/22/us-syria-killings-toll-idUSTRE7AL2SC20111122 | work=Reuters | title=Syrian forces kill 23 civilians, 5 deserters: group | date=22 November 2011}}</ref>

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, on the 24th November soldiers and Shabiha with armoured vehicles allegedly started operations in farmland west of Rastan to hunt down defectors. 24 people died as a result (if they were soldiers, defectors or civilians is not made clear). At least fifty tanks and other armed vehicles opened fire with 50 cal. machine guns and anti aircraft weapons on positones held by the Free Syrian Army on Rastan's outskirts. Deaths were also reported in Darr'a and Homs<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/24/syrian-army-bashar-al-assad?newsfeed=true | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Ian | last=Black | title=Syrian army shells rebels as Bashar al-Assad given 24-hour ultimatum | date=24 November 2011}}</ref>

Six elite piots, four technical officers and three other personnel were killed in Homs in an ambush on the 24th November. The Syrian government vowed to "cut every evil hand" of the attackers as a result. It is unclear who is behind the attacks, but it is most likely the Free Syrian Army.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/25/syria-military-cut-evil-hand | location=London | work=The Guardian | title=Syrian military vows to 'cut every evil hand' of attackers | date=25 November 2011}}</ref><ref>http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16117757</ref>

At least 10 troops and security service agents were killed in clashes with mutinous soldiers in the east of Syria, a human rights group said on Saturday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the deaths occurred late Friday in Deir Ezzor while early Saturday a civilian was also killed in the eastern city. Several defectors were also killed or wounded.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/syrian-activists-report-fierce-clashes-between-army-defectors-in-countrys-east/2011/11/26/gIQA8lU1xN_story.html | work=The Washington Post | first=Greg | last=Jaffe}}</ref><ref>http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gDIfDFTAnqRVhyrOZnsMonlH3Z4A?docId=CNG.d2cb7fcead198fb5fcf3ea88ef8ea035.a1</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/nov/26/egypt-syria-morocco-protest-elections | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=David | last=Batty | title=Egypt: protests continue in runup to elections – live}}</ref>

== Command structure ==
=== Leadership ===
{{Syria Labelled Map|float=right}}

The Free Syrian Army operates its central command from a camp in Turkey's southern [[Hatay province]], close to the Syrian border, and its field command from inside Syria.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/28/world/europe/turkey-is-sheltering-antigovernment-syrian-militia.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2 | work=The New York Times | first=Liam | last=Stack | title=Turkey Shelters Anti-Assad Group, the Free Syrian Army | date=27 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.economist.com/node/21534827 | work=The Economist | title=Cracks in the army | date=29 October 2011}}</ref> The FSA has declared the following command structure.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15563900 Q&A: The Free Syrian Army], BBC News, 16 Nov 2011</ref> [[Colonel]] [[Riyad al-Asad]] is the Commander-in-Chief,<ref name=FSA1114/><ref name="wtarc"/> Colonel Malik Kurdi is his deputy, and Colonel Ahmed Hijazi is the Chief of Staff of the Free Syrian Army.<ref name=Leverrier>{{cite news|last=Leverrier|first=Ignace|title=What is known about the Free Syrian Army|url=http://syrie.blog.lemonde.fr/2011/10/17/que-sait-on-de-l%E2%80%99armee-syrienne-libre/#comments|accessdate=21 October 2011|newspaper=Le Monde|date=17 October 2011}}</ref><ref name=Abdulhamid>{{cite web|last=Abdulhamid|first=Ammar|title=Syrian Revolution Digest|url=http://syrianrevolutiondigest.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-10-16T23%3A52%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=7|accessdate=16 October 2011}}</ref>

====Battalion Commanders====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Commander !! Battalion
|-
|Lt. Col. Abdul Satar Yunsu || Hamza Khateeb
|-
|Capt. Ammar Al-Wawi || Ababeel<ref name=FSA1114/>
|-
|Capt. Ayham al-Kurdi || Abu Fida<ref>http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/11/25/gun-smuggling-business-is-booming-thanks-to-syrian-uprising/</ref>
|-
|Capt. Abdelaziz Tlass || Khalid Bin Walid<ref name=Burch/><ref name=Abdulhamid/>
|-
|Capt. Ibrahim Majbur || Hurriya<ref name=WT0927/><ref name=Abdulhamid/>
|-
|Capt. Riyad Ahmad || Samer Nunu
|-
|Capt. Qais Qata’neh ||Omari
|-
|Lt. Mazen al-Zein || Qassam
|-
| Maher Al-Rahmoun || Moawiyah Bin Abi Sufian
|-
| Youssef Yahya || Harmoush
|-
| Muhammad Tayseer Ousso || Suqur
|-
| Wassim al-Khalid || Abu Obeidah bin Al-Jarrah
|-
|}

=== Battalions ===
As of October 2011, the Free Syrian Army has according to its deputy commander twenty-two battalions. The battalions are spread across the country in its thirteen different [[Governorates of Syria|governorates]]. The battalions are:<ref name=Hafez>{{cite news|last=Hafez|first=Salam|title=Syrian Opposition Call for No-Fly Zone|url=http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/124717/syrian-opposition-call-for-no-fly-zone.html|accessdate=8 October 2011|newspaper=The Journal of Turkish Weekly|date=8 October 2011}}</ref><ref name=WT0927/><ref name=Abdulhamid/>

{{Div col|cols=3}}
*Khalid bin Walid battalion ([[Homs]] city)<ref name=Rosen />
*Hamzah Al-Khateeb battalion ([[Idlib Governorate|Idlib]] city)
*Al-Harmoush battalion ([[Idlib Governorate|Idlib]] province)<ref name=Mouterde>{{cite news|last=Mouterde|first=Perrine|title=‘Free Syrian Army’ poses growing threat to Assad|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20111014-free-syria-army-opposition-bashar-al-assad-exile-turkey-batallion|accessdate=16 October 2011|newspaper=France 24|date=14 October 2011}}</ref>
*Salaheddine Al-Ayoubi battalion ([[Jisr ash-Shugur]])
*Qashoush battalion ([[Hama]] city)<ref>[http://syriarevolts.wordpress.com Syria Revolts | Documenting the Syrian uprising]</ref>
*Aboul Fidaa battalion ([[Hama]] province)
*Saad Bin Moaz battalion ([[Hama Governorate|Hama]] province)
*Moawiyah Bin Abi Sufian ([[Damascus]] city)
*Abu Obeidah bin Al-Jarrah battalion ([[Damascus Governorate|Damascus]] province)
*Houriyeh battalion ([[Aleppo Governorate|Aleppo]] city)
*Ababeel battalion ([[Aleppo Governorate|Aleppo]] province)
*Omari battalion ([[Daraa Governorate|Daraa]]/[[Hauran]])
*Sultan Pasha Al-Atrash battalion ([[As-Suwayda Governorate|As-Suwayda]])
*Qassam battalion ([[Jableh]])
*Suqur battalion ([[Latakia]])
*Samer Nunu battalion ([[Tartus Governorate|Baniyas]])
*Mishaal Tammo battalion ([[Al Qamishli|Qamishli]])
*Odai Al-Tayi battalion ([[Al-Hasakah|Hasakah]])
*Omar Ibn al-Khattab battalion ([[Deir ez-Zor Governorate|Deir ez-Zor]] city)<ref>[http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=317759&MID=0&PID=0 Lebanon news - NOW Lebanon -Assad is growing weaker]</ref>
*Moaz Al-Raqad battalion ([[Deir ez-Zor Governorate|Deir ez-Zor]] province)
*Allahu Akbar battalion ([[Deir ez-Zor Governorate|Abu Kamal]])
*Ahmad Nayif Al-Sukhni battalion ([[Ar-Raqqah Governorate|Ar-Raqqah]]){{Div col end}}

==International Support==
The Libyan [[National Transitional Council]] announced in November 2011 that it had been in talks with the Syrian National Council and was considering supplying weapons and volunteer fighters of the [[National Liberation Army (Libya)|National Liberation Army]] to the Free Syrian Army, and that international intervention may only be weeks away. According to people with links to the National Council, the Libyans were offering money, weapons and training forces loyal to the Syrian National Council.<ref>http://www.smh.com.au/world/libya-to-arm-rebels-in-syria-20111126-1o088.html|name = Libya to arm syrian rebels| access date = November 27 2011| date = November 27 2011| agency = Sydney Morning Herald</ref><ref>http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/11/26/179274.html|name = syrian dissidents to get arms, volunteers from Libya| date = 26 November 2011| access = 27 November 2011 | agency = Al Arabiya</ref>

== See also ==
*[[Alliance of Yemeni Tribes]]
*[[National Liberation Army (Libya)]]

== References==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
*{{facebook|freesyrianarmy.alas3ad}} {{Ar icon}} (official website)
*{{youtube|SZcCbIPM37w|Original video declaration of formation}} {{Ar icon}}

{{2011 Syrian uprising}}

[[Category:2011 in Syria]]
[[Category:2011 Syrian protests]]
[[Category:Rebellions in Syria]]
[[Category:Guerrilla organizations]]

[[ar:الجيش السوري الحر]]
[[es:Ejército Libre de Siria]]
[[he:הצבא הסורי החופשי]]
[[tr:Özgür Suriye Ordusu]]
[[zh:自由叙利亚军]]

Freie Syrische Armee

2011-10-02T15:28:48Z

Sopher99: undoing revisions by previous user

{{Distinguish|Syrian Army}}
{{Cleanup-link rot|date=August 2011}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= Free Syrian Army الجيش السوري الحر Syrian Liberation Forces
|image= [[File:Free syrian army logo.svg|300px|thumb|center|Official logo of Free Syrian Army]]
|caption=
|dates= July 2011-present
|country= [[Syria]]
|allegiance=[[National Council of Syria]]
|branch=[[Army]]
|type=
|role=
|size= 3.000
|command_structure=
|garrison=
|garrison_label=
|nickname= '''Movement of Free Officers''' ({{lang-ar|حركة الضباط الأحرار}})
|patron=
|motto=
|colors=
|colors_label=
|march=
|mascot=
|battles=
[[2011 Syrian uprising]] 
*[[Siege of Homs]]
*[[Siege of Jisr al-Shughur]]
*[[Siege of Daraa]]
*[[Siege of Rastan and Talbiseh]]
*[[Siege of Talkalakh]]
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|battle_honours=

|commander1= [[Riyad al-Asad]]
|commander1_label= Commander-in-Chief
|commander2=
|commander2_label=
|notable_commanders=

|identification_symbol=[[File:Syria-flag 1932-58 1961-63.svg|120px]]
|identification_symbol_label= Identification mark

|aircraft_attack=
|aircraft_bomber=
|aircraft_electronic=
|aircraft_fighter=
|aircraft_helicopter=
|aircraft_helicopter_attack=
|aircraft_helicopter_cargo=
|aircraft_helicopter_multirole=
|aircraft_helicopter_observation=
|aircraft_helicopter_transport=
|aircraft_helicopter_utility=
|aircraft_interceptor=
|aircraft_patrol=
|aircraft_recon=
|aircraft_trainer=
|aircraft_transport=
}}

The '''Free Syrian Army''' or '''Peoples's Liberation Forces''' ({{lang-ar|الجيش السوري الحر}}), sometimes called the '''Movement of Free Officers''' ({{lang-ar|حركة الضباط الأحرار}}),{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} is a group of defected military officers and soldiers of the [[Syrian Army]] allegedly active during the [[2011 Syrian uprising]]. It was declared on 29 July 2011 in a web video released by a group of uniformed men claiming to be defectors from the Syrian military, who called upon members of the army to defect and join them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/?p=11043|title=Free Syrian Army Founded by Seven Officers to Fight the Syrian Army|publisher=Syria Comment|first=Joshua|last=Landis|date=29 July 2011|accessdate=7 August 2011}}</ref> The leader of the men, who identified himself as Colonel [[Riyad al-Asad]], announced that the FSA would work with demonstrators to bring down the system and declared that all security forces attacking civilians are justified targets.<ref name="wtarc">{{cite news|url=http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2011/me_syria0973_08_03.asp|title=Defecting troops form 'Free Syrian Army', target Assad security forces|agency=World Tribune|date=3 August 2011|accessdate=7 August 2011}}</ref><ref name="sharq">{{cite news|url=http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=26095|agency=Asharq Alawsat|title=Syrian Army Colonel Defects forms Free Syrian Army|date=1 August 2011|accessdate=7 August 2011}}</ref>

In his video statement, Asad said the Syrian Army "[represents] gangs that protect the regime" and declared, "As of now, the security forces that kill civilians and besiege cities will be treated as legitimate targets. We will target them in all parts of the Syrian territories without exception."<ref name="sharq"/>
[[File:FSA-grab.png|310px|thumb|right|Colonel [[Riyad al-Asad]] and others announcing the FSA's formation in a [[YouTube]] video.]]
As no confirmed evidence of an organized Free Syrian Army beyond video statements has been produced, its existence has been questioned by some sources.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/?p=11060&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Syriacomment+%28Syria+Comment%29|title=Is the Free Syrian Army Real?|first=Joshua|last=Landis|publisher=Syria Comment|date=30 July 2011|accessdate=8 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/aug/02/syria-destruction-bashar-al-assad|agency=The Guardian|date=2 August 2011|accessdate=8 August 2011|title=Syria is on course for destruction|first=Fadwa|last=Al-Hatem}}</ref>

In late September, there were reports of more defections in the city of [[Rastan (Syria)|Rastan]], and the Free Syrian Army claimed to have destroyed 17 Pro Assad armoured vehicles during clashes in Rastan<ref>http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cf5a4510-eaa9-11e0-aeca-00144feab49a.html?ftcamp=rss</ref>, using RPGs and booby traps<ref>http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/middle-east/thousands-of-troops-desert-from-syrian-army
</ref>. The Al-Harmoush Brigade also claimed to have killed 80 loyalist soldiers in fighting.<ref>http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/09/29/169224.html</ref> A defected officer in the Syrian opposition claimed that over a hundred officers had defected as well as thousands of conscripts, although many had gone into hiding or home to their families, rather than fighting the loyalist forces.<ref>http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/middle-east/thousands-of-troops-desert-from-syrian-army
</ref>
==List of public members==
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 100%"
|-
!Date
!Name
!Position
!Division/Department
|-
|2011-04-30
|{{*}}Walid al-Qashami ({{lang-ar|وليد القشعمي }}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAUsF6PKa90</ref><ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzXorBwsNpU</ref><ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDbCUOuaNLs</ref>
|Conscript
|Republican Guard, [[Mount Qasioun|Qasioun]], [[Damascus]]
|-
|2011-05-06
|{{*}}Anas Ismail ({{lang-ar|أنس اسماعيل}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4LYt4Xocgk</ref>
|Conscript
|Special Forces, [[Tartus]]
|-
|2011-06-06
|{{*}}Abdul Razzaq Tlas ({{lang-ar|عبد الرزاق طلاس }}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWFbki1FaSs</ref><ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpDg_JS4kLU</ref>
|First lieutenant
|Fifth Division, [[Daraa]]
|-
|2011-06-07
|{{*}}Mustafa Ahmad al-Mousa ({{lang-ar|مصطفى أحمد الموسى}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_BsCaOz3II</ref>
|Soldier
|Air Forces, [[Zawiya Mountain]], [[Idlib]]
|-
|2011-06-09
|{{*}}Husain Harmoush ({{lang-ar|حسين هرموش}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxRL5PIWhxM</ref>
|Lieutenant Colonel
|Division Command, 11th Division, [[Jisr ash-Shugur]], [[Idlib]]
|-
|2011-06-09
|{{*}}Mazen Al-Zein ({{lang-ar|مازن الزين}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUE21D7l04w</ref>
|Lieutenant
|Division Command, 11th Division, [[Jisr ash-Shugur]], [[Idlib]]
|-
|2011-06-16
|{{*}}Muhammad Aslan ({{lang-ar|محمد أصلان}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bfm6bb0kT-4</ref><ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YICgWY4TQJQ</ref>
|Conscript
|Department of General Intelligence, Security Forces, [[Homs]]
|-
|2011-06-16
|{{*}}Riyad Ahmad ({{lang-ar|رياض أحمد }}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZlvn4IQysM</ref>
|Captain
|Leader of the first detachment, Special Forces, [[Baniyas]]
|-
|2011-06-26
|{{*}}Taha Asa'd al-Alloush ({{lang-ar|طه أسعد العلوش}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zArNMJxC1LU</ref>
|Conscript
|[[Zawiya Mountain]], [[Idlib]]
|-
|2011-06-27
|{{*}}Mustafa Yihya al-Asa'd ({{lang-ar|مصطفى اليحيى الأسعد}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTNZoF24iHM</ref>
|Staff warrant officer
|Military intelligence, Anti-Terror Department, [[Aleppo]]
|-
|2011-06-28
|{{*}}Abdul Hamid al-Abii ({{lang-ar|عبد الحميد العبي}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsyFGRoQYRI</ref>
|Intelligence Officer
|Air Forces, Aleppo
|-
|2011-06-29
|{{*}}Mahmoud Harmoush ({{lang-ar|محمود محمد هرموش}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWgs0MgXByU</ref>
|Conscript
|General Intelligence Department, State Security Branch, Damascus
|-
|2011-06-28
|{{*}}Beseem al-Khaled ({{lang-ar|بسيم الخالد}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lpjgNCmcqw</ref>
|First Lieutenant
|11th Division, Infantry troops
|-
|2011-06-29
|{{*}}Amjad al Hameed ({{lang-ar|أمجد الحميد}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QAcFYYYkq4</ref><ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cxWdTlQsYc
</ref><ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc_5Ixhww6M</ref>
|First Lieutenant
|Air Forces, 13th Division, al-Rastan, Homs
|-
|2011-07-03
|{{*}}Ayham Kurdi ({{lang-ar|أيهم كردي}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4BKNxxJW3M</ref>
|Captain
|Air Forces, 24th Division, [[Hama]]
|-
|2011-07-04
|{{*}}Emad Sattouf ({{lang-ar|عماد الصطوف}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3mrY4r3GKE</ref>
|Sergeant
|Raid department, Damascus
|-
|2011-07-04
|{{*}}Riyad Musa al Asa'd ({{lang-ar|رياض موسى الأسعد }}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vevqrt9zFfM</ref>
|Colonel
|Air Forces, 22nd Division, Damascus
|-
|2011-07-06
|{{*}}Hassan Abd al-Kareem ({{lang-ar|حسن عبد الكريم}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6hM27kYnnQ</ref>
|First Assistant
|Military Intelligence Division, Ministry of Defense, Damascus
|-
|2011-07-07
|{{*}}Mustafa Ejaj ({{lang-ar| مصطفى عجاج}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60DT9bQIhoQ</ref>
|Captain
|Police staffing, Idlib
|-
|2011-07-08
|{{*}}Tha'er Abd al-Hameed ({{lang-ar|ثائر عبد الحميد}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEG0Lk1iu28</ref>
|Soldier
|Suicidal Division, Homs
|-
|2011-07-10
|{{*}}Qais Alqtaana ({{lang-ar| قيس القطاعنة}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjVMSxax8to</ref><ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu-y06YLYQE</ref>
|Captain
|Air Forces, Aerial reconnaissance
|-
|2011-07-11
|{{*}}Khaled al-Zoubi ({{lang-ar|خالد الزعبي}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58jK7jaDKBs</ref>
|Sergeant
|18th Division
|-
|2011-07-18
|{{*}}Fares Abu Zaid ({{lang-ar| فارس ابا زيد}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArzQ7FdqVqU</ref>
|Conscript
|Teshreen Military Hospital, Damascus
|-
|2011-07-20
|{{*}}Daoud Daoud ({{lang-ar| داوود داوود}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0HN1OnNMv8</ref>
|Sergeant
|14th Division, Special Forces, al-Dmair
|-
|2011-07-23
|{{*}}Muhammad Akleh ({{lang-ar| محمد العكلة}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxyVI_e06OE</ref>
|Sergeant
|Central Security Forces, Internal Security, [[Deir ez-Zor]]
|-
|2011-07-23
|{{*}}Mustafa al-Omar ({{lang-ar|مصطفى العمر}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6bfyau7L6c</ref>
|Conscript
|Suicidal Division, Damascus
|-
|2011-07-24
|{{*}}Muhammad Younsou ({{lang-ar|محمد يونسو}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_24KPL2CHw</ref>
|First Lieutenant
|18th Division, Idlib
|-
|2011-07-24
|{{*}}Muhammad Ajini ({{lang-ar|محمد عجيني}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2Qe-soZWPw</ref>
|Staff sergeant
|Military Intelligence Division, Unit raid
|-
|2011-07-26
|{{*}}Abdulsattar Younsou ({{lang-ar| عبد الستار يونسو}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nJeOPk4Zks</ref>
|Lieutenant Colonel
|Department of air defense
|-
|2011-07-28
|{{*}}Ismail al-Zein ({{lang-ar|إسماعيل الزين}}) <ref name="W_exAeHiePE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_exAeHiePE</ref>
|Officer
|Syrian Army
|-
|2011-07-28
|{{*}}Malek al-Olewi ({{lang-ar|مالك العليوي }}) <ref name="W_exAeHiePE" /><ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nioxnbUtAHI</ref>
|Sergeant
|11th Division
|-
|2011-07-28
|{{*}}Muhammad Zeinab ({{lang-ar|محمد زينب}}) <ref name="W_exAeHiePE" />
|Sergeant
|Command center, 11th Division
|-
|2011-07-29
|{{*}}Ahmad Hijazi ({{lang-ar|أحمد حجازي}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikUcjlmti7E</ref>
|Colonel
|18th Division, Tanks, Leader of Division
|-
|2011-08-03
|{{*}}Fadi Qarqazan ({{lang-ar|فادي قرقزان}}) <ref name="lkfgNR7q56k">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkfgNR7q56k</ref>
|Corporal Sgt.
|Central Security Battalion, Internal Security Forces, Damascus
|-
|2011-08-03
|{{*}}Ammar al-Sheikh ({{lang-ar|عمار الشيخ}} <ref name="lkfgNR7q56k" />
|Assistant
|Central Security Battalion, Internal Security Forces, Damascus
|-
|2011-08-03
|{{*}}Fares al-Ghanem ({{lang-ar|فارس الغانم}}) <ref name="lkfgNR7q56k" />
|Corporal Sgt.
|Central Security Battalion, Internal Security Forces, Damascus
|-
|2011-08-04
|{{*}}Muhammad al-Rouz ({{lang-ar|محمد الرز}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFu0f1BnBp0</ref>
|Lieutenant
|Brigade 90. Independent infantry, Syrian Army
|-
|2011-08-05
|{{*}}Omar al-Shamsi ({{lang-ar|عمر الشمسي}}) <ref name="7YLyLf-814U">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YLyLf-814U</ref>
|First Lieutenant
|Session 61, Air Force Academy
|-
|2011-08-05
|{{*}}Muhammad al-Tourkmani ({{lang-ar|محمد التركماني}}) <ref name="7YLyLf-814U" />
|Conscript
|Assessment Brigade 158
|-
|2011-08-05
|{{*}}Anwar al-Ahmad ({{lang-ar|أنور الأحمد}}) <ref name="7YLyLf-814U" />
|Conscript
|Department of Military Records
|-
|2011-08-05
|{{*}}Abdul Aziz Obaid ({{lang-ar|عبد العزيز عبيد}}) <ref name="7YLyLf-814U" />
|Conscript
|Vehicle management
|-
|2011-08-05
|{{*}}Muawiya al-Saleh ({{lang-ar|معاوية الصالح}}) <ref name="7YLyLf-814U" />
|Conscript
|4th Division, Department of tanks
|-
|2011-08-05
|{{*}}Muhammad Hasnou ({{lang-ar|محمد حسنو}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HtJYsrLobY</ref>
|Corporal Sgt.
|2nd Division, Department of Air Defense
|-
|2011-08-06
|{{*}}Addallah Oudeh ({{lang-ar|عبد الله عوده}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFPgii1mIIM</ref>
|First Lieutenant
|Syrian Army
|-
|2011-08-07
|{{*}}Yousef al-Tourki ({{lang-ar|يوسف التركي}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68L8yvqsgwQ</ref>
|Lieutenant
|11th Division, Department of tanks
|-
|2011-08-07
|{{*}}Ousama al-Khoudari ({{lang-ar|أسامة الخضري}}) <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Xeqai008Uk</ref>
|Officer
|Homeland Security
|-class="sortbottom"
|}

==See also==
*[[Alliance of Yemeni Tribes]]
*[[National Liberation Army (Libya)]]

==External links==
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SZcCbIPM37w اعلان تشكيل الجيش السوري الحر (Original YouTube Video of Declaration)]

==References==

{{reflist|2}}

{{2011 Syrian uprising}}

[[Category:2011 in Syria]]
[[Category:National liberation armies]]
[[Category:2011 Syrian protests]]

[[ar:الجيش السوري الحر]]

Parti Bersatu Sabah

2010-10-09T21:49:40Z

Sopher99: /* TRAGEDY ACCIDENT */

{{Politics of Malaysia}}
The '''Parti Bersatu Sabah''' ('''PBS''', or ''United Sabah Party'') is a [[political party]] in [[Sabah]], east [[Malaysia]]. It was registered as a political party on March 5, 1985. The founding president was Datuk [[Joseph Pairin Kitingan]], who broke away from the ruling [[Parti Berjaya]] because of his differences with party president [[Harris Salleh]], the [[Chief Minister of Sabah|Chief Minister]] in whose cabinet Pairin served before the break.

Although it is mainly seen as an ethnically-based [[Kadazan-Dusun]] political party, PBS calls itself a "Malaysian multi-racial political party". Its declared political mission is to strive to safeguard Sabah's [[Autonomous entity|autonomy]] and states rights, promote [[democratic]] principles, economic advancement, human rights, and justice.

PBS formed the state government after winning the [[Sabah state election, 1985|1985 state elections]] and governed Sabah from 1985 to 1994. Following the [[1986 Sabah riots]], PBS joined the [[Barisan Nasional]] coalition after winning the May 1986 state election.<ref name=aliran>{{cite web|publisher=Aliran Monthly|url=http://www.aliran.com/oldsite/monthly/2003/7i.html|title=Sabah: All Quiet On The Eastern Front? |author=Lim, G.|accessdate=2008-01-20 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071119003313/http://www.aliran.com/oldsite/monthly/2003/7i.html  |archivedate = 2007-11-19}}</ref> However, on the eve of the July 1990 state election, PBS pulled out of the coalition<ref name="aliran" /> and won the state election for a third time. It also won the [[Sabah state election, 1994|1994 state elections]] by a narrow margin. However, numerous defections occurred as many PBS representatives switched allegiance to the then opposition [[Barisan Nasional]] (BN) coalition before PBS were even able to form a new state government; these politicians were nicknamed ''katak'', which means frogs in Malay. PBS subsequently rejoined the BN coalition in 2002, ending any form of opposition as BN fully occupied the state legislature and returning Sabah to the rule of the BN coalition that holds the federal parliament.

==Tragedy Accident==

Batu Sapi MP Edmund Chong Ket Wah (pic) of Parti Bersatu Sabah died in a road accident in Kota Kinabalu on 09/10/2010. He was 54.He is believed to have been riding a Kawasaki 750 bike along the Sembulan-Tanjung Aru road when he was involved in a crash with an on-coming Mercedez car at about 11.40am Saturday.

Chong was born on April 9, 1956 in Sandakan. He is married to Linda Tsen Thau Lin and has four children.

He first became MP after winning the Batu Sapi seat in the 2004 general election.

==References==
{{refbegin}}
*Chin, James 1994. "Sabah State Election of 1994: End of Kadazan Unity, [[Asian Survey]], Vol. 34, No. 10, pp. 904-915
{{refend}}
----
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.pbs-sabah.org Official Parti Bersatu Sabah web site]

{{Malaysian political parties}}
{{Malaysia-party-stub}}

[[Category:Political parties in Sabah]]

[[ms:Parti Bersatu Sabah]]
[[zh:沙巴團結黨]]

Portlick Castle

2010-08-04T19:07:13Z

Sopher99:

{{unreferenced}}
{{expand}}
{{csb-pageincluded|1=http://www.portlickcastle.com}}

'''Portlick Castle''' is a 12th century Dillon Castle located on the shores of Lough Ree with 30 acres of walled gardens, wooded areas and pasture land. The castle and period extensions have all been extensively renovated to a very high standard.

Secrets in the Walls

2010-04-28T01:01:14Z

Sopher99:

{{unreferenced}}
{{Infobox television film
| name = Secrets in the Walls
| image = Secretsone.jpg
| caption = Promotional poster
| runtime = 90 minutes
| genre = Drama, Family, Thriller, Horror
| creator =
| writer = [[William Penick]] [[Chris Sey]]
| director = [[Christopher Leitch]]
| producer = [[Michael G. Larkin]] [[Michael R. Goldstein]]
| starring = [[Jeri Ryan]] [[Marianne Jean-Baptiste]] [[Kay Panabaker]] [[Peyton List]] [[Ian Kahn]]
| editing = [[John Duffy]]
| music = [[Jeff Cardoni]]
| budget =
| country = United States
| language = English
| network = [[Lifetime Movie Network]]
| company = [[Larkin-Goldstein Productions]]
| released = {{Start date|2010|}}
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
}}
'''''Secrets in the Walls''''' is an [[United States|America]]n TV film directed by [[Christopher Leitch]]. It will be air on October, 31, 2010 in the United States.

==Synopsis==
[[Jeri Ryan]] stars as Rachel Easton, a single mom who, along with her teenage daughters, Lizzie [[Kay Panabaker]], and Molly [[Peyton Roi List]], move from their cramped Detroit apartment to the suburbs where Rachel gets an irresistible deal on her dream house. But with the night comes scratching from within the walls, distant cries, and a figure of a young woman in the shifting shadows of the basement, and Lizzie begins to behave strangely. As the haunting intensifies, Rachel and her friend Belle [[Marianne Jean-Baptiste]] must uncover the horrifying secret of what happened in the house years ago to save her family.

== Cast ==
* [[Jeri Ryan]] - Rachel Easton
* [[Marianne Jean-Baptiste]] - Belle
* [[Peyton Roi List]] - Molly Easton
* [[Kay Panabaker]] - Lizzie Easton
* [[Ian Kahn]] - Marty

==Reception==

==External links==
* [[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1559359/]]
* [http://rhitv.com/movies/secrets-in-the-walls]
* [http://lmn.tv/]
* [http://www.larkingoldstein.com/]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Secrets in the Walls}}
[[Category:2010 television films]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:American films]]