Syrian Free Army

The New Syrian Army was established by remnants of the Allahu Akbar Brigade, part of the Authenticity and Development Front and formerly based in Abu Kamal.{{cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/820641/department-of-defense-press-briefing-by-colonel-garver-via-teleconference/|title=Department of Defense Press Briefing by Colonel Garver via teleconfere|work=United States Department of Defense|date=29 June 2016|access-date=22 May 2017|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301022856/https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/820641/department-of-defense-press-briefing-by-colonel-garver-via-teleconference|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2016/08/13/syrian-opposition-factions-in-the-syrian-civil-war/|title=Syrian Opposition Factions in the Syrian Civil War - bellingcat|date=13 August 2016|work=Bellingcat|access-date=22 May 2017|archive-date=9 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409073932/https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2016/08/13/syrian-opposition-factions-in-the-syrian-civil-war/|url-status=live}} The NSA was formed on 20 May 2015, and its fighters were trained in Jordan.

On 16 November 2015, the New Syrian Army was deployed at al-Tanf in southeastern Syria, near Iraq and Jordan, and carried out a raid, with or without US aerial support. No further information was given.{{cite web|url=http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/world/article45269595.html|title=New U.S.-backed offensive in northern Syria advances on ISIS outposts|work=McClatchy DC|date=17 November 2015|access-date=22 November 2015|archive-date=23 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523061409/https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/world/article45269595.html|url-status=live}}

On 5 March 2016, the NSA and another FSA group, the Forces of Martyr Ahmad al-Abdo, captured the al-Tanf border crossing from ISIL in a cross-border raid from Jordan.{{cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-syria-rebels-take-border-crossing-from-is-2016-3|title=Syria Rebels take border crossing from IS|agency=Associated Press|date=5 March 2016|access-date=9 March 2016|archive-date=9 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309134628/http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-syria-rebels-take-border-crossing-from-is-2016-3|url-status=live}}

In May 2016, an Islamic State suicide attack struck an NSA base near al-Tanf, which resulted in a large number of casualties. The attack brought to the surface underlying tensions and a lack of morale within the group, whose members alleged that the US failed to provide them with the equipment promised.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/the-last-remaining-pentagon-trained-rebel-group-in-syria-is-now-in-jeopardy/2016/05/27/91de194a-1c5f-11e6-82c2-a7dcb313287d_story.html|title=The last remaining Pentagon-trained rebel group in Syria is now in jeopardy|date=27 May 2016|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=8 August 2016|archive-date=6 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506084714/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/the-last-remaining-pentagon-trained-rebel-group-in-syria-is-now-in-jeopardy/2016/05/27/91de194a-1c5f-11e6-82c2-a7dcb313287d_story.html|url-status=live}}

In June 2016, the NSA's base near al-Tanf was hit by multiple cluster bombs from Russian airstrikes, killing 2 and injuring 18.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/17/russian-warplanes-bomb-elite-british-backed-syrian-rebels/|title=Russian warplanes bomb elite British-backed Syrian rebels|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=17 June 2016|url-access=subscription|last1=Loveluck|first1=Louisa|last2=Ensor|first2=Josie|access-date=4 April 2018|archive-date=27 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227191521/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/17/russian-warplanes-bomb-elite-british-backed-syrian-rebels/|url-status=live}} Russia denied responsibility for the airstrike, although photos released by the NSA identified the bombs as Russian RBK-500 cluster bombs which were delivered from Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia.{{cite web|url=https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2016/06/21/al-tanf-bombing-russia-assisted-isis-attacking-us-backed-fsa-group-cluster-bombs/|title=The al-Tanf Bombing: How Russia Assisted ISIS by Attacking an American Backed FSA Group with Cluster Bombs|work=Bellingcat|date=21 June 2016|access-date=8 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008185930/https://www.bellingcat.com/news/mena/2016/06/21/al-tanf-bombing-russia-assisted-isis-attacking-us-backed-fsa-group-cluster-bombs/|archive-date=8 October 2016|url-status=dead}}

Later in June, the group launched an offensive against ISIL in Abu Kamal. The offensive was repelled by ISIL.{{cite web|url=http://www.conflict-news.com/articles/us-backed-new-syrian-army-suffers-crippling-defeat|title=US Backed New Syrian Army Suffers Crippling Defeat|publisher=Conflict-news.com|access-date=8 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813082524/http://www.conflict-news.com/articles/us-backed-new-syrian-army-suffers-crippling-defeat|archive-date=13 August 2016|url-status=dead}}

On 3 August 2016, the New Syrian Army was expelled from the Authenticity and Development Front.{{cite web|url=https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567253-syria-rebel-coalition-cuts-ties-with-us-backed-group|title=Syria rebel coalition cuts ties with US-backed group|work=NOW|date=4 August 2016|access-date=6 August 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805171556/https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567253-syria-rebel-coalition-cuts-ties-with-us-backed-group|archive-date=5 August 2016}}

The Ghosts of the Desert ({{langx|ar|أشباح الصحراء}}) was an NSA-affiliated anti-ISIL insurgent group that covertly operated in ISIL-held towns in southeastern Syria and southwestern Iraq such as Abu Kamal, Mayadin, and al-Qaim.{{cn|date=December 2024}} Since March 2016, they initially sprayed graffiti and raised Syrian and Iraqi flags in the towns, but began to conduct covert military activities the next month, such as sabotage, assassinations of ISIL fighters, and marking positions for airstrikes. The group supplied military intelligence to the US Air Force that allowed them to kill Abu Waheeb in May 2016 in the Iraqi town of Rutbah after the group marked his location.File:Revolutionary Commandos and US soldier repair water well in an-Tanf.jpg soldier repair a water well in Al-Tanf.]]

In December 2016, the New Syrian Army dissolved after internal disputes. Some of its remnants regrouped under the name Revolutionary Commando Army (RCA), led by Captain Abdullah al-Zoubi.

On 30 April 2017, the RCA launched an offensive into eastern Syria, reaching the Deir ez-Zor Governorate and capturing the village of Humaymah, south of the T2 pumping station.{{cite web|url=http://www.qasioun.net/ar/news/show/64196/%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4_%D9%85%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%B1_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A9_%D9%84%D9%80_%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86_%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%A7_%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89_%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%85%D8%A9_%D9%88%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%AF_%D9%84%D8%AF%D8%AE%D9%88%D9%84_%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%B1_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%88%D8%B1|title=جيش مغاوير الثورة لـ "قاسيون": سيطرنا على حميمة ونستعد لدخول دير الزور|work=Qasioun News Agency|date=30 April 2017|language=ar|access-date=22 May 2017|archive-date=4 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504121236/http://www.qasioun.net/ar/news/show/64196/%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4_%D9%85%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%B1_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A9_%D9%84%D9%80_%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86_%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%A7_%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89_%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%85%D8%A9_%D9%88%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%AF_%D9%84%D8%AF%D8%AE%D9%88%D9%84_%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%B1_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D9%88%D8%B1|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://aletihadpress.com/2017/04/30/المعارضة-مدعومة-من-التحالف-الدولي-تسي/|title=المعارضة مدعومة من التحالف الدولي تسيطر على بلدة حميمة بريف دير الزور الجنوبي|work=Ittihad Press|date=30 April 2017|language=ar|access-date=19 March 2021|archive-date=8 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308020842/http://aletihadpress.com/2017/04/30/%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%b9%d8%a7%d8%b1%d8%b6%d8%a9-%d9%85%d8%af%d8%b9%d9%88%d9%85%d8%a9-%d9%85%d9%86-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%aa%d8%ad%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%81-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%af%d9%88%d9%84%d9%8a-%d8%aa%d8%b3%d9%8a/|url-status=dead}} Two days later, the rebels attacked and captured several sites in the region, including: Tarwazeh al-Wa`er, Sereit al-Wa`er, Mount Ghrab, Swab desert, al-Kamm Swab, the T3 Pumping Station, Me`izeileh and Tarwazeh al-Attshaneh.{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/us-backed-militants-advance-deep-inside-isis-controlled-syrian-desert/|title=US-backed militants advance deep inside ISIS-controlled Syrian desert|last1=Yakovlev|first1=Ivan|work=Al-Masdar News|date=2 May 2017|access-date=2 May 2017|archive-date=15 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515104741/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/us-backed-militants-advance-deep-inside-isis-controlled-syrian-desert/|url-status=dead}} On 6 May, FSA groups including the RCA captured several sites in the Badiya region of Homs Governorate to the south of Palmyra including Dahlouz and al-Halbeh areas.{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/video-footage-fsa-troops-advancing-70km-south-palmyra/|title=Video footage of FSA troops advancing 70km south of Palmyra|last1=Leith|first1=Fadel|work=Al-Masdar News|date=6 May 2017|access-date=22 May 2017|archive-date=21 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521233446/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/video-footage-fsa-troops-advancing-70km-south-palmyra/|url-status=dead}} The RCA was supplied with IAG Guardian armoured personnel carriers by the US during the operation.{{cite web|url=http://aletihadpress.com/2017/05/10/%D9%81%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A8-%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%84%D9%85-%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83/|title=Southern factions receive US military vehicles|work=Al Etihad Press|date=10 May 2017|access-date=10 May 2017|archive-date=13 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513052117/http://aletihadpress.com/2017/05/10/%D9%81%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A8-%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%84%D9%85-%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D8%B3%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83|url-status=dead}}

In late November 2017, at least 180 fighters in the RCA were relieved of duty. According to the United States Central Command, the fighters "completed their military service", while according to the group's spokesman, they were removed due to their "weak performance". As result, between 40 and 60 fighters were left in the group.{{cite web|url=http://syriadirect.org/news/us-backed-forces-in-southeastern-syria-downsize-take-on-smaller-role/|title=US-backed forces in southeastern Syria downsize, take on smaller role|last1=Khaled a-Noufal|first1=Waleed|last2=Clark|first2=Justin|work=Syria Direct|date=21 November 2017|access-date=22 November 2017|archive-date=21 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121195816/http://syriadirect.org/news/us-backed-forces-in-southeastern-syria-downsize-take-on-smaller-role/|url-status=live}} The unit increased in numbers after that point, with {{circa}} 300 fighters serving with the RCA by October 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/inside-remote-u-s-base-syria-central-combating-isis-countering-n922991|title=Inside the remote U.S. base in Syria central to combating ISIS and countering Iran|last1=Kube|first1=Courtney|work=NBC News|date=22 October 2018|access-date=26 November 2018|archive-date=26 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126080036/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/inside-remote-u-s-base-syria-central-combating-isis-countering-n922991|url-status=live}}

In 2021, reports emerged that several explosions took place in al-Tanf. The RCA stated that they came from training exercises that it was conducting in the region.{{Cite web|title=Explosions heard near Syria-Iraq border, rebels deny blasts in US base|url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/explosions-heard-inside-us-military-base-on-syria-iraq-border-687876|access-date=4 January 2022|website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com|date=5 December 2021 |language=en-US|archive-date=4 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104021248/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/explosions-heard-inside-us-military-base-on-syria-iraq-border-687876|url-status=live}} On 20 October 2021, the RCA, other opposition elements at al-Tanf, and the US garrison there were attacked by drones, causing no injuries.{{Cite web|title=Attack hits Syria base that houses U.S. troops; no U.S. injuries|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/attack-hits-syria-base-houses-us-troops-no-us-injuries-rcna3466|access-date=17 February 2022|website=NBC News|date=21 October 2021|language=en|archive-date=17 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217043349/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/attack-hits-syria-base-houses-us-troops-no-us-injuries-rcna3466|url-status=live}}

On 23 September 2022, the US-led coalition dismissed RCA's commander Brigadier General Muhannad Ahmad and replaced him with Captain Muhammad Farid, a former leader of the Qaryatayn Martyrs' Brigade. This caused a group of RCA leaders styling themselves as the military council of RCA to reject the new leader and seize control of part of the al-Tanf base, leading to a brief siege in which the military council was confronted by the main RCA group and US forces, submitting to the new leadership soon after.

Following another meeting with US forces, the group changed its name to the Syrian Free Army on 23 October 2022.{{cite web |date=23 October 2022 |title=New decision – Maghaweer Al-Thawrah to change faction's name to "Free Syria" army |url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/272970/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026002751/https://www.syriahr.com/en/272970/ |archive-date=26 October 2022 |access-date=26 October 2022 |publisher=Syrian Observatory for Human Rights}}

On 29 February 2024, the Syrian Free Army announced the appointment of Salem Turki al-Antri as their new leader, replacing Muhammad Farid al-Qasim. The announcement was made through a statement and photos on the group's official website at the US-operated al-Tanf military base in eastern Homs Governorate. The group expressed excitement about the new opportunities al-Antri's leadership will provide.

On 7 December 2024, the Syrian Free Army captured Al-Qaryatayn, as well as Al-Sukhnah{{Cite web |title=Syrian rebel assault widens as Assad races to defend Homs, Damascus|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2025/01/23/withdrawal-of-us-support-in-syria-would-be-nightmare-in-fight-against-isis-says-commander-of-allies/ |access-date=7 February 2025|date=7 December 2024|website=Dawn}} and participated in the Palmyra offensive capturing the city, after this they moved west and fought in the Battle of Damascus alongside the Southern Operations Room, taking territory in the northern half of the city.

At the Syrian Revolution Victory Conference on 29 January 2025, many leaders of the armed opposition, including al-Antri, attended.{{cite news|title=Ahmad al Sharaa’s Victory Conference: Syria’s new era and an exclusive translation of Sharaa’s speech|url=https://www.fdd.org/analysis/op_eds/2025/01/30/ahmad-al-sharaas-victory-conference-syrias-new-era-and-an-exclusive-translation-of-sharaas-speech/|date=30 January 2025|work=Long War Journal|accessdate=7 February 2025|author=Ahmad Sharawi}}

In a late January 2025 interview between Lizzie Porter of Abu Dhabi-based newspaper The National and the group's leader, Salem Turki al-Antri, he stated that the amount of land controlled by the SFA has tripled, from 55 to more than 150 square kilometers of land.{{Cite web |title=Withdrawal of US support in Syria would be ‘nightmare’ in fight against ISIS, says commander of allies|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2025/01/23/withdrawal-of-us-support-in-syria-would-be-nightmare-in-fight-against-isis-says-commander-of-allies/ |access-date=7 February 2025|date=22 January 2025|website=The National|author=Lizzie Porter}}

On 3 February, al-Antri said his troops were negotiating with the Syrian transitional government to integrate into the Defense Ministry.{{cite news|title=Iran Update, February 4, 2025|url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-february-4-2025|date=4 February 2025|work=The Institute for the Study of War|accessdate=7 February 2025}}

On 30–31 March, during Eid al-Fitr, SFA soldiers arrived in al-Dumayr at the request of the Ministry of Interior to assist General Security, helping to reduce motorcycle movement and distributing mine awareness leaflets. The SFA media office denied rumors that the SFA and US forces were planning on turning al-Dumayr Air Base into an American base.{{Cite web |date=1 April 2025 |title="جيش سوريا الحرة" لـ"النهار": لم نسيطر على الضمير ولا قاعدة أميركية في المطار |url=https://www.annahar.com/arab-world/arabian-levant/206006/جيش-سوريا-الحرة-لـالنهار-لم-نسيطر-على-الضمير-ولا-قاعدة-أميركية-في-المطار |access-date=7 April 2025 |website=An-Nahar}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Syrian Civil War}}

Category:Free Syrian Army

Category:Military units and factions of the Syrian civil war

Category:Anti-ISIL factions in Syria

Category:Rebel groups that actively control territory