Summary
Jaysh al-Jihad (Jihad Army) was an Islamist rebel group based in Quneitra Governorate. The group formed from the merger of 7 small independent groups and factions that defected from Nusra Front after it clashed with the Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade in December 2014. These groups were: Jihad Brigades, Jamaat Jund al-Islam, Jamaat Abu Baseer, Mujahideen of al-Sham movement, Jamaat Shabab Ahl al-Sunnah, Nurayn Brigade, and Jamaat Bunyan al-Marsous.[1]
| Jaysh al-Jihad | |
|---|---|
| جيش الجهاد | |
Logo of the group Flag used by the group | |
| Leaders | Abu Mussab Al-Fanussy |
| Dates of operation | February 2015[1] – 21 May 2016 |
| Headquarters | Al-Qahtaniyah, Quneitra[1] |
| Active regions | Quneitra Governorate and Daraa Governorate, Syria[1] |
| Ideology | Salafi Jihadism |
| Size | 500[1] |
| Part of |  Islamic State (allegedly) |
| Allies | Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade |
| Opponents | |
| Battles and wars | Syrian Civil War |
The group had been accused by other Syrian rebel groups of being affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).[6][7] In April 2015, violent clashes broke out between the group and the Free Syrian Army and al-Nusra Front, after Jaish al-Jihad militants ambushed and killed six FSA fighters at a checkpoint in Quneitra.[8] By 6 May 2015, Nusra and other rebel groups announced that they had cleared al-Qahtaniyah and Quneitra city of Jaysh al-Jihad forces.[1]
In May 2016, remnants of Jaysh al-Jihad joined with two other Pro-ISIL factions in Southern Syria, the Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade and Islamic Muthanna Movement, to form the Khalid ibn al-Walid Army.[9]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f "The Islamic State in Southern Syria" (PDF). Carter Center. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
- ^ "Islamist fighters seize southern Syria crossing: monitor". Reuters. 30 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
- ^ "Jihadists clash with Syrian rebels along Israel's border". AP. 29 April 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
- ^ "Rebels fight ISIS-linked group near Israeli-occupied Golan". AFP. 28 April 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
- ^ "Syrian rebels expel ISIS from town near Israeli border". ARA News. 4 May 2015. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
- ^ ""جيش الجهاد".. هل هو خلايا نائمة لـ"داعش" في درعا والقنيطرة؟". Retrieved 9 May 2015.
- ^ "دوت مصر - 7 فصائل سورية تعلن إنشاء "جيش الجهاد"". دوت مصر. Archived from the original on 17 May 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
- ^ "The emergence of IS in southern Syria". Middle East Eye. 30 April 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
- ^ "Far from Raqqa and Fallujah , Syria rebels open new front against ISIL in the south". The National. 29 May 2016.