13th Division (Syrian rebel group)

Syrian political opposition March 2021 13th Division الفرقة 13 Ar Insignia of the 13th Division.svg Insignia of the 13th Division. Lt. Col. Ahmad al-Saud Col. Ali al-Samahihttp://syriadirect.org/news/residents-in-northwest-syrian-town-caught-in-the-latest-crackdown-by-al-qaeda-linked-rebel-faction/ Residents in northwest Syrian town caught in the latest crackdown by Al-Qaeda-linked rebel faction Syria Direct 12 June 2017 Zaher al-Ahmad (56th Infantry Brigade)https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567208-nusra-accused-of-kidnapping-fsa-commander Nusra accused of kidnapping FSA commander Now News 20 July 2016 21 July 2016 21 July 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160721122947/https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567208-nusra-accused-of-kidnapping-fsa-commander Abdul Karim Alitohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8niQHDnPyQ Martyr, God willing, Abdul Karim Alito commander of the central power of the Frqh_13 selections of revolutionary career 13th Division@Youtube 21 September 2016 Maj. Moussa al-Hamoud (Victory Brigade)http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2014/09/fsa-syria-response-to-us-strikes-is.html FSA: No terror is comparable to Assad's terror Al-Monitor Mohammad Nemr 30 September 2014 Capt. Ali al-Salloum (Victory Brigade)http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=45026 Division 13 evacuate most of its headquarters in the southern countryside of Idlib and clashes between them against Jabhat Al-Nusra and Jund al-Aqsa in Maarrat al-Nu'man area and tension prevails in the area | Syrian Observatory for Human Rights 2016-03-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20160328175047/http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=45026 2016-03-28 Maj. Abu Qusay (Khan Shaykhun Shield Brigades) Maj. Mousa al-Khaled (Victory of Saladin Brigade)https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/07/world/middleeast/military-syria-putin-us-proxy-war.html Military Success in Syria Gives Putin Upper Hand in U.S. Proxy War Mark Mazzetti Anne Barnard Eric Schmitt The New York Times 6 August 2016 Abdul Salam Najjar (Mustafa Brigade) (former)http://tr.hawarnews.com/efrine-saldiran-cete-gruplar-ve-arkasindaki-gucler/ Efrin'e saldıran çete gruplar ve arkasındaki güçler ? | ANHA 2018-02-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20180212005156/http://tr.hawarnews.com/efrine-saldiran-cete-gruplar-ve-arkasindaki-gucler/ 2018-02-12 Ahmad al-Ibrish (spokesperson) Zakaria Quitaz (media official)https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567208-nusra-accused-of-kidnapping-fsa-commander Nusra accused of kidnapping FSA commander 2016-07-21 2016-07-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20160721122947/https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567208-nusra-accused-of-kidnapping-fsa-commander June 2013http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/03/syria-rebel-recounts-his-time-an-isil-jail-20143911113109123.html Syria rebel recounts his time in an ISIL jail Al Jazeera English 10 March 2014 7 May 2016 – 2017 *56th Infantry Brigade Maarat al-Nu'man Martyrs Brigadehttp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Oct-09/190693-bomb-blasts-hit-syrian-security-complex-activists.ashx#axzz28ejHxlF8 Blasts at Syria air force compound kill dozens: activists 9 October 2012 12 June 2017 18 August 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180818214458/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2012/Oct-09/190693-bomb-blasts-hit-syrian-security-complex-activists.ashx#axzz28ejHxlF8 Khan Shaykhun Shield Brigadeshttp://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2014/09/fsa-syria-response-to-us-strikes-is.html FSA: No terror is comparable to Assad's terror 30 September 2014 Slaves of Mercy Brigade Victory Brigade Northern Shield Brigadehttp://dre3alshamal.blogspot.com/ Armor Brigade North-band 13 5 August 2013 Mustafa Brigade (former)http://aletihadpress.com/2016/03/14/48120/ Commander of the "band 13" Union Press: did not withdraw our personnel from the fronts of fighting al Daesh in Mare' Al Etihad Press 13 March 2016 19 June 2017 11 October 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171011094254/http://aletihadpress.com/2016/03/14/48120/ Imam Bukhari Brigadehttps://www.alsouria.net/content/الإعلان-عن-توحيد-فصائل-الجيش-الحر-بريف-إدلب-الجنوبي Announced the unification of the Free Army factions of the southern countryside of Idlib AlSouria.net 20 November 2014 19 June 2017 11 October 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171011094253/https://www.alsouria.net/content/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B9%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%AD%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D9%81%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%A5%D8%AF%D9%84%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A8%D9%8A Victory of Saladin Brigade Knights of Justice Brigade (former, 2013–14) Ansar al-Haq Brigade (former)https://twitter.com/OmerOzkizilcik/status/833738118440292352 Jaysh al Haq (part of 13. Division), Suqour al Marat, Saraya Jaysh al Suqour from Marat al NoumN joined #AhrarAlSham 20 February 2017 Özkizilcik Ömer Ma'arrat al-Numan Idlib GovernorateHama GovernorateAleppo Governorate Syrian nationalismhttp://tahrirsouri.com/2014/05/17/exclusive-interview-with-ahmad-al-saoud-head-of-division-13-one-of-the-9-factions-given-access-to-tow-missiles/ Exclusive interview with Ahmad Al-Sa'oud, head of Division 13, one of the 9 factions given access to TOW missiles Tahrir Souri 17 May 2014 23 August 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140821191835/http://tahrirsouri.com/2014/05/17/exclusive-interview-with-ahmad-al-saoud-head-of-division-13-one-of-the-9-factions-given-access-to-tow-missiles 21 August 2014 1,800+ (own claim in 2014) Syrian opposition Free Syrian Army no Free Idlib Army Hawar Kilis Operations Room Fatah Halab (2015–2016) Mare' Operations Room Insignia.svg Mare' Operations Room (2014–2016) Logo of the 5th Corps (Syrian rebel group).svg no 5th Corps (2014–2015) The 13th Division (ar الفرقة 13) was a Syrian rebel group sanctioned by the Syrian National Council. It was among the first armed Syrian opposition groups to receive U.S.-made BGM-71 TOW anti-tank missiles. The group's leader lieutenant colonel Ahmad al-Sa'oud said during an interview that the missiles were provided by the Friends of Syria, which also (according to al-Sa'oud) provided training on how to use the advanced weaponry. According to a spokesperson for the FSA's Supreme Military Council, the 13th Division was funded by sources within Qatar and Saudi Arabia. History The 13th Division originated in March 2012 under the name of the "Slaves of Mercy Brigade" and grew that year to 1,000 men according to its leader Lt. Col. Ahmad al-Saoud, who defected from the Syrian Army. In 2013 the group was incorporated into the Free Syrian Army as the 13th Division. In December 2013, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) overran a Division 13 base in Kafr Nabl, seizing ammunition and weaponry. This came after a history of clashes between the two groups. The following day, Lieutenant Colonel Ahmad al-Sa'oud was ambushed and captured in Taftanaz by ISIL while he was trying to negotiate for their return. He was released after two weeks. The group is currently fighting the Syrian government and ISIL. The group fought in Khan al-Asal, the Rashideen neighbourhood, and the Research Sciences Centre in Aleppo. In Idlib and Hama Governorates, the 13th Division fought at Mork, Khan Shaykhun, Heish, Qumeis, Baboulin, Wadi Al-Deif military base and Al-Hamdiyyeh military base. On 6 May 2015, along with 13 other Aleppo-based groups, joined the Fatah Halab joint operations room. On 18 September 2016 one of the 13th Division commanders, Abdul Karim Alito, was killed in action during the 2016 al-Bab offensive. On 19 September 2016, the 13th Division, along with the Mountain Hawks Brigade and the Northern Division, formed the Free Idlib Army. As a result of internal disputes between the 13th Division and the other factions in the Free Idlib Army, some members of the former reportedly released a statement on 11 April 2017 which claimed that the 13th Division will no longer be part of the Free Idlib Army and it will instead join the "central operations room" led by Col. Fadlallah al-Haji of the Sham Legion. This was denied by Lt. Col. Ahmed al-Assad, the overall commander of the 13th Division, who called the statement a "false report". Al-Saud called on all the member groups of the FIA to integrate under one organization.http://www.baladi-news.com/ar/news/details/18008/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%82%D8%A9_13_%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%81%D9%8A_%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%8A_%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%B2_%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B4%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%87%D8%A7_%D8%B9%D9%86_%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4_%D8%A5%D8%AF%D9%84%D8%A8_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1 "Band 13" denies my News Anagha about "Idlib Free Army" Baladi News Network 11 April 2017 12 April 2017 13 April 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170413003630/http://baladi-news.com/ar/news/details/18008/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%82%D8%A9_13_%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%81%D9%8A_%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%8A_%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%B2_%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B4%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%87%D8%A7_%D8%B9%D9%86_%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4_%D8%A5%D8%AF%D9%84%D8%A8_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1 Clashes with al-Qaeda Inter-rebel conflict during the Syrian civil war In November 2014, the 13th Division and the al-Nusra Front clashed in Jabal Zawiya as part of the al-Nusra Front-SRF/Hazzm Movement conflict.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29902384 Syria conflict: Jihadists 'beating America's allies' BBC 4 November 2014 Al-Nusra reportedly declared war on rebel factions receiving Western military support. However, fighting between the two groups soon ceased because the 13th Division "did not wanted to share the same fate as the Hazzm Movement", which was defeated and dissolved by al-Nusra.http://www.anapress.net/ar/articles/%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D9%85%D9%83%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A8%D8%A9-/592252741174431/%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%87%D9%88-%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B9-%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D8%A5%D8%AF%D9%84%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%9F-(%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%84)/ Who is the banner of the Knights of the right of the army free of Idlib? (profile) Ana Press 16 February 2017 On 13 March 2016, the al-Nusra Front and Jund al-Aqsa seized the headquarters of the 13th Division after an overnight battle for control of Maarrat al-Nu'man. Division 13 was involved in a truce with the Syrian army since February 27. Several fighters have deserted before the conflict with the Nusra began. Division 13 has confirmed that al-Nusra and Jund al-Aqsa captured all of their weapons. According to social media activists in support of the Syrian opposition, Jabhat al-Nusra attacked Division 13 after local demonstrations used the Syrian independence flag, rather than the black flag of jihad. According to a report released by the Free Syrian Army, Jabhat al-Nusra and Jund al-Aqsa attacked their bases in Ma'arat al-Nu'man, killing 4 of their combatants and wounding as many as 20 others during a fierce battle between the groups. The Division 13 members stated that they could not hold their ground against al-Qaeda militants, so they surrendered two of their storage facilities that allegedly stored U.S. manufactured TOW anti-tank missiles as well as seizing armored vehicles, a tank, and other arms.https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2016/4/12/syrias-al-nusra-releases-three-us-trained-rebels Syria's al-Nusra releases three US-trained rebels The New Arab 12 April 2016 25 May 2016 Experts have stated that ultimately, "There will be localized clashes, but not necessarily full-blown civil war. In Maarat al-Numan it's easier to take on Nusra as Division 13 is stronger and there isn't a Jaysh al-Fatah administration".http://aranews.net/2016/03/al-qaeda-clashes-u-s-backed-fsa-rebels-syrias-idlib/ Al-Qaeda clashes with U.S.-backed FSA rebels in Syria's Idlib ARA News 13 March 2016 25 May 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160314192324/http://aranews.net/2016/03/al-qaeda-clashes-u-s-backed-fsa-rebels-syrias-idlib/ 14 March 2016 On 18 July 2016, the al-Nusra Front was accused of kidnapping Zaher al-Ahmad, the commander of the division's 56th Infantry Brigade en route from Maarat al-Numan to Aleppo. On 30 September, Ahmad al-Sa'oud openly threatened al-Nusra on social media that the 13th Division has "no choice" but to "take revenge for the blood of its members", accusing people of "spreading lies and fabricating charges" against the 13th Division in order to ignite conflict.http://www.qasioun.net/ar/news/show/38381/%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AF_%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%82%D8%A9__%D9%8A%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%AF_%D8%AC%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%A9_%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AD_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%85_%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84_%D9%85%D8%A7_%D9%84%D9%85_%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%AF_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%82%D9%88%D9%82_%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%87%D9%84%D9%87%D8%A7 13th Division commander threatens to open a front-Sham fight unless restore the rights of its people Qasioun 30 September 2016 1 October 2016 3 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161003180732/http://www.qasioun.net/ar/news/show/38381/%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AF_%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%82%D8%A9__%D9%8A%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%AF_%D8%AC%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%A9_%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AD_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%85_%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84_%D9%85%D8%A7_%D9%84%D9%85_%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%AF_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%82%D9%88%D9%82_%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%87%D9%84%D9%87%D8%A7 On 5 April 2017, a vehicle carrying Lt. Col. Ahmad al-Saud and Colonel Ali al-Samahi, the chief of staff of the Free Idlib Army and formerly a commander in the 13th Division, came under fire from Tahrir al-Sham fighters at a checkpoint near Khan al-Subul, which was under complete control of Tahrir al-Sham. Al-Samahi and another fighter was killed in the shootout while al-Saud was wounded and was transferred to Turkey for treatment.https://arabi21.com/story/996229/%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%B7%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%AA%D8%BA%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B2-%D8%A8%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B4-%D8%A5%D8%AF%D9%84%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1-%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1 Activists: Sham Liberation Army assassinated a senior commander of Idlib Free (Photos) Arabi 21 5 April 2017 From 6 to 8 June, clashes broke out between Tahrir al-Sham and Sham Legion in Maarrat al-Nu'man. The 13th Division and the Free Police joined the fighting on 8 June. By the evening of 8 June, HTS captured both the 13th Division and the Sham Legion's headquarters in Maarat al-Nu'man and killed Col. Tayser al-Samahi, the brother of Col. Ali al-Samahi and the head of the Free Police in the town.http://www.all4syria.info/Archive/417240 (Edit Sham) controls the headquarters of the band (13) and Sham Corps in Maart All4Syria 8 June 2017 On 9 June, Tahrir al-Sham announced the completion of their operations against the FSA and took full control of the town.http://www.all4syria.info/Archive/417274 (Edit Sham) announces halt its offensive on Maart and liquidates Prime Mkhvrha All4Syria 9 June 2017 Later that day, a ceasefire agreement was signed between the Free Idlib Army and Tahrir al-Sham in the town and the latter ordered the 13th Division to be disbanded.http://www.all4syria.info/Archive/417500 Agreement ending the clashes Maart on his head solution band 13 All4Syria 10 June 2017 Strength, structure In March 2014, the 13th Division counted 1,800 men according to its leader Ahmad al-Saoud, split into 10 companies, with another 200 in support roles. See also List of armed groups in the Syrian civil war References External links Official account of the 13th Division head Lt. Col. Ahmad al-Saud on Twitter ar Official account of the 13th Division on Twitter ar Category:Anti-Assad factions of the Syrian civil war Category:Anti–Islamic State factions in Syria Category:Free Syrian Army Category:Military units and formations established in 2013