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Ansar al-Din Front

{{Short description|Syrian jihadist alliance founded in 2014}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}

{{infobox war faction

| name = Supporters of the Religion Front

| native_name = جبهة أنصار الدين
Ansar al-Din

| native_name_lang = ar

| war = Syrian Civil War

| image = File:Flag of Ansar al-Din Front.svg

130px
{{Small| The flag and the logo of Jabhat Ansar al-Din}}

| caption =

| active = 25 July 2014{{cite web|url=https://www.iswresearch.org/2014/07/syria-update-july-17-25-2014.html?m=1|title=Syria Update: July 17 - 25, 2014|publisher=Institute for the Study of War Syria Updates|date=25 July 2014|access-date=9 January 2025|author=Jennifer Cafarella}} – 28 January 2017{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-rebels-idUSKBN15C0MV|title=Syria Islamist factions, including former al Qaeda branch, join forces: statement|date=28 January 2017|accessdate=11 February 2025|work=Reuters|archivedate=31 January 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131010506/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-rebels-idUSKBN15C0MV/}}
1 February 2018 – present (splinter faction){{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/ibnnabih1/status/1012227374816071680|title=While there's a lot of chatter of rebels in Idlib opening up a front vs the regime to ease the pressure on Daraa, the only factions that have announced their readiness are jihadi groups Ansar al-Din, TIP, Hurras al-Din, and HTS.|publisher=Twitter|date=28 June 2018|accessdate=11 February 2025|archivedate=28 July 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728203230/https://twitter.com/ibnnabih1/status/1012227374816071680}}

| ideology = Salafist jihadism{{cite web|url=http://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Syria%20Control%20Map%20Feb_9.pdf|title=Control of Terrain in Syria: February 9, 2015 |publisher=Institute for the Study of War|date=9 February 2015|accessdate=30 April 2015|quote=the Aleppo Salafi Jihadist coalition Jabhat Ansar al-Din.}}

| leaders = Abu Abdullah al-Fajr{{cite web|url=https://syriadirect.org/news/is-hts-benefitting-from-coalition-airstrikes-against-foreign-jihadists-1/|title=Is HTS benefitting from Coalition airstrikes against foreign jihadists?|author=Mohammad Abdulssattar Ibrahim|work=Syria Direct|date=22 September 2019|accessdate=11 February 2025|archive-date=24 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924025913/https://syriadirect.org/news/is-hts-benefitting-from-coalition-airstrikes-against-foreign-jihadists-1/|url-status=dead}}
Abu Abdullah al-Shami{{cite web|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/12/moroccan-jihadist-group-merges-with-local-syrian-faction.php|title=Moroccan jihadist group merges with local Syrian faction|date=17 December 2016|accessdate=9 January 2025|publisher=Long War Journal|author=Caleb Weiss}}

| clans = (Member groups of Ansar al-Din Front - Harakat Fajr ash-Sham al-Islamiya)

  • Liwa Suyuf al-Sham (greater Idlib area){{cite tweet|number=815537488584245248|user=sayed_ridha|title=The same group which operates in north Aleppo CS had merged with Zinki, probably 2 diff commands/branches https://x.com/sayed_ridha/st|accessdate=11 February 2025|date=1 January 2017}}{{Better source needed|date=February 2017}}
  • Islamic Dawn Movement of the Levant
  • al-Murabitin Battalion
  • Osama Battalion
  • Abu Ali Yemeni Battalion
  • Abu Hilal Zitan Battalion
  • Abna Sharia
  • Ansar al-Haqq{{cite tweet|user=IbnNabih1|number=1025027148028018689|title=al-Qa'ida loyalists reacted strongly against the NLF merger, saying it's a implemention of Astana & warns of impending attack on them & HTS shouldn't be trusted to defend them. Related, 2 more small groups (Ansar al-Haqq, Abna al-Sharia) join Hurras al-Din along with some jurists|date=2 August 2018|accessdate=25 December 2024}}
  • Fursan al-Iman{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/mrkyruer/status/1031608019677863938|title=Twitter / Account Suspended|website=twitter.com}}

| headquarters =

| area = Aleppo Governorate
Idlib Governorate
Hama Governorate
Latakia Governorate{{cite web|url=http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/jabhat-ansar-al-din-analysis-interview/|title=Jabhat Ansar al-Din: Analysis and Interview|publisher=Syria Comment|date=23 October 2014|accessdate=9 January 2025|archive-date=24 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024165156/http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/jabhat-ansar-al-din-analysis-interview/|author=Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi}}

| size = 1,000

| partof = Tahrir al-Sham
(2017-2018){{cite web|url=http://nedaa-sy.com/en/news/4175|title=New component split from "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham"|work=Syria Call|date=9 February 2018|access-date=11 February 2025|archive-date=13 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213075603/http://www.nedaa-sy.com/en/news/4175|url-status=dead}}
So Be Steadfast Operations Room{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/extremism-watch_jihadists-syrias-idlib-form-new-operations-room/6191167.html|title=Jihadists in Syria's Idlib Form New 'Operations Room' |author=Sirwan Kajjo|date=15 June 2020|access-date=25 December 2024|work=Voice of America}}

| predecessor =

| successor =

| allies = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Al-Nusra Front.svg}} Al-Nusra Front
{{Flagicon image|Flag of the Turkistan Islamic Party in Syria.svg}} Turkistan Islamic Party in Syria
{{flagicon image|Logo of Ahrar al-Sham.svg|size=20px}} Ahrar al-Sham

| opponents = {{flagicon image|Flag of the United Arab Republic (1958–1971), Flag of Syria (1980–2024).svg}} Ba'athist Syria
{{flagicon image|InfoboxHez.PNG}} Hezbollah
{{flagicon image|Liwa Fatemiyoun infobox flag.png}} Liwa Fatemiyoun
{{flag|Iran}}

| battles = {{tree list}}

{{tree list/end}}

}}

Jabhat Ansar al-Din ({{langx|ar|جبهة أنصار الدين|4=Supporters of the Religion Front}}) is a jihadist alliance that announced itself on 25 July 2014, during the Syrian Civil War. The alliance contains two groups: Harakat Sham al-Islam and Harakat Fajr ash-Sham al-Islamiya; it had declared that was not affiliated with any other "parties". The Green Battalion was originally a signatory, but around October 2014, it swore allegiance to the leader of Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar and was integrated into that faction.{{cite web|url=http://www.chechensinsyria.com/?p=22652|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006094252/http://www.chechensinsyria.com/?p=22652|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 October 2014|title=Video: Saudi Faction Swears Allegiance To Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar Emir|publisher=From Chechnya To Syria|date=4 October 2014|accessdate=11 February 2025|author=Joanna Paraszczuk}} The alliance had attempted to maintain neutrality in the conflict between ISIL and other groups. On 28 January 2017, it joined with numerous other factions to form Tahrir al-Sham, though portions of it left HTS in February 2018.

The groups involved in the coalition have diverse memberships; Harakat Fajr Sham al-Islamiya numbers mostly Syrians from the Aleppo area,{{cite web|url=http://www.ui.se/eng/upl/files/86861.pdf |title=Syria's Salafi Insurgents: the Rise of the Syrian Islamic Front |date=March 2013 |accessdate=23 October 2014 |publisher=Swedish Institute for International Affairs |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331204534/http://www.ui.se/eng/upl/files/86861.pdf |archivedate=31 March 2014 }} while Harakat Sham al-Islam was formed around a core of Moroccan fighters,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-25460397|title=The Syrian rebel groups pulling in foreign fighters|publisher=BBC|date=24 December 2013|accessdate=11 February 2025}} the Green Battalion mainly had fighters from Saudi Arabia and Jaish al-Mujahireen wal-Ansar was formed by Chechen and other Russian-speaking fighters.{{cite web|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/03/chechen_jihadist_for.php|title=Chechen commander forms 'Army of Emigrants,' integrates Syrian groups|date=28 March 2013|accessdate=11 February 2025|publisher=Long War Journal|author=Bill Roggio}} On 23 September 2015, Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar left and joined Jabhat al-Nusra.{{cite news|title=Insurgent group pledges allegiance to al Qaeda's Syria wing|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-nusra-idUSKCN0RN1Z920150923|work=Reuters|date=23 September 2015|accessdate=11 February 2025}}

Timeline

Groups

=Harakat Sham al-Islam=

File:Flag of Harakat Sham al-Islam.svg

Harakat Sham al-Islam ({{langx|ar|حركة شام الإسلام}}, meaning "Islamic Movement of the Levant") is a jihadist group composed of primarily Moroccans that has been active during the Syrian Civil War. The group announced on 25 July 2014 that it became part of the Jabhat Ansar al-Din. It was designated as a terrorist organization by the US State Department on 24 September 2014,{{cite web|title=Designations of Foreign Terrorist Fighters|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/09/232067.htm|publisher=US Department of State|date=24 September 2014|accessdate=25 September 2014}} by United Nations on 29 February 2016.{{Cite web|url=http://f.cmlc.gov.sy/pdf-eac8b864ea63231d40c2a846a11f4e85.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=20 June 2020 |archive-date=23 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623063252/http://f.cmlc.gov.sy/pdf-eac8b864ea63231d40c2a846a11f4e85.pdf |url-status=dead }} and by Bahrain and Morocco.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mofa.gov.bh/Default.aspx/Error|title=Ministry of Foreign Affairs | error.page|website=www.mofa.gov.bh}}{{Cite web |title=Décision de la CNASNU n°03/2022, du 07 avril 2022, portant publication de la liste locale|url=https://cnasnu.justice.gov.ma/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Decision_CNASNU_03_liste-locale_designation_fullfin.pdf |website=CNASNU}}

The group was founded in August 2013 by Moroccans Brahim Benchekroun, Mohamed Mazouz, and Mohammed Souleimani Laalami, who had been released from the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/after-guantanamo-freed-detainees-return-to-violence-in-syria-battlefields-1401839291|title=After Guantanamo, Freed Detainees Returned to Violence in Syria Battlefields|publisher=The Wall Street Journal|date=3 June 2014|accessdate=11 February 2025|author=Maria Abi-Habib}}{{cite news|url=http://www.aymennjawad.org/14144/muhajireen-battalions-in-syria|title=Muhajireen Battalions in Syria|date=13 December 2013|accessdate=11 February 2025|author=Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi|work=Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi's blog}} Harakat Sham al-Islam first came to notice because of the role it played in the 2013 Latakia offensive.{{cite web|url=http://the-arab-chronicle.com/maghrebi-jihad-veteran-killed-syria/#|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140405232907/http://the-arab-chronicle.com/maghrebi-jihad-veteran-killed-syria/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 April 2014 |title=Abu Ahmad al-Maghrebi (Ibrahim Bencheqroun), un vétéran du Jihad mort en Syrie - Jihad veteran killed in Syria }} The following year the group was one of the three primary factions, alongside Al-Nusra Front and Ansar al-Sham, that took part in the 2014 Latakia offensive.{{cite news|url=http://www.lorientlejour.com/article/859899/syrie-combats-feroces-autour-dun-point-de-passage-avec-la-turquie.html|title=Syrie: combats féroces autour d'un point de passage avec la Turquie|date=21 March 2014|accessdate=19 May 2014}} Harakat Sham al-Islam also has a presence in Aleppo, being involved in battles for Kindi Hospital and the Aleppo Central Prison.

The group's leader, Shakran, was killed in a battle with Syrian government forces in April 2014,{{cite news|url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/04/former_guantanamo_de_2.php#|title=Former Guantanamo detainee killed while leading jihadist group in Syria|date=4 April 2014|accessdate=11 February 2025|publisher=Long War Journal|author=Bill Roggio}} along with the group's military commander, Abu Safiya Al-Masri.{{cite web|url=http://www.syriahr.com/?p=31549|title=مصرع قائد حركة شام الاسلام ونائبه خلال اشتباكات مع قوات النظام|publisher=Syrian Observatory for Human Rights|date=3 April 2014}} On 12 December 2016 they fully dissolved into Jabhat Ansar al-Din.

=Harakat Fajr ash-Sham al-Islamiya=

Harakat Fajr ash-Sham al-Islamiya ({{langx|ar|حركة فجر الشام الإسلامية}}, Islamic Dawn Movement of the Levant) is a jihadist group that has been active during the Syrian Civil War.{{cite web|url=http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/minority-dynamics-syria/|title=Minority Dynamics in Syria|publisher=Syria Comment|date=29 July 2014|accessdate=11 February 2025|author=Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi}} The group announced on 25 July 2014 that it became part of the Jabhat Ansar al-Din. On 12 December 2016, the group fully dissolved into Jabhat Ansar al-Din.

On 1 February 2018, Harakat Fajr ash-Sham al-Islamiya left Tahrir al-Sham and began operating under the name Ansar al-Din Front - Harakat Fajr ash-Sham al-Islamiya.

On 20 June 2018, al-Murabitin Battalion, Osama Battalion, Abu Ali Yemeni Battalion and Abu Hilal Zitan Battalion left Tahrir al-Sham to join the Islamic Dawn Movement of the Levant.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/badly_xeroxed/status/1009531446699143170|title=Tweets with replies by كودي (@badly_xeroxed) - Twitter|website=twitter.com}}

On 2 August 2018, Ansar al-Haqq and Abna Sharia joined.

On 20 August 2018, Fursan al-Iman joined the group.

Relationship with other groups

The group has stated they desire to maintain a policy of neutrality and independence between various groups in fighting against the Syrian government as well as stating a desire to cooperate with these groups as well, prior the formation of the group the member groups did cooperate with ISIL in early 2014 in besieging the Kweiris airbase.{{cite web|url=http://www.aymennjawad.org/14413/the-assad-regime-and-jihadis-collaborators|title=The Assad Regime and Jihadis: Collaborators and Allies?|author=Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi|publisher=Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi blog|date=11 February 2015|accessdate=11 February 2025}}

In an interview in 2015 a representative from the group was asked about their views regarding both al-Nusra and ISIL to which the representative said regarding al-Nusra "The problem is with them, not with us: we are prepared to work with all upright factions whose goals are like ours. It is not hidden from anyone that the goals of the majority of factions are like our goals." He added when asked if al-Nusra has made mistakes on the ground "In my personal opinion indeed we all make mistakes…and perhaps in Jabhat al-Nusra’s point of view it is not necessary to establish a Caliphate while the gangs of Assad exist in Syria." When asked about the group's stance on ISIL he said "We have no relation with IS (Islamic State). We don’t fight them and they don’t fight us. But anyone who says that Jabhat Ansar al-Din is affiliated with IS is lying."

Abu Salah al-Uzbeki and 50 other fighters defected from Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and joined the group in 2020.{{cite web|url=https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2020/07/10/top-uzbek-jihadist-leader-suffers-for-loyalty-to-al-qaeda/|title=Top Uzbek Jihadist Leader Suffers for Loyalty to Al Qaeda|publisher=Modern Diplomacy|accessdate=11 February 2025|date=10 July 2020|author=Uran Botobekov}}

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

{{Syrian Civil War}}

Category:Anti-Assad factions of the Syrian civil war

Category:2014 establishments in Syria

Category:Jihadist groups in Syria

Category:Salafi Jihadist groups