Syrian Revolutionaries Front

{{cleanup rewrite|date=February 2019}} {{Short description|Syrian rebel alliance}} {{infobox war faction | name = Syrian Revolutionaries Front | native_name = جبهة ثوار سوريا | native_name_lang = ar | war = the Syrian Civil War | image = 205px<br/>Logo of the SRF | caption = | active = * December 2013 – 5 May 2015 (main Idlib and Aleppo branch)<ref name=ds17Dec>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Dec-17/241361-fsa-alliance-pushes-back-against-islamic-front.ashx|title=FSA alliance pushes back against Islamic Front|publisher=The Daily Star|date=17 December 2013|accessdate=16 September 2014|archive-date=22 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022150229/http://www.dailystar.com.lb//News/Middle-East/2013/Dec-17/241361-fsa-alliance-pushes-back-against-islamic-front.ashx|url-status=dead}}</ref> * December 2013 – 31 July 2018 (southern branch) {{Citation needed|reason=When did SRF declare an end its of activities? Many rebels were evacuated to Idlib and Afrin and operate from those locations now.|date=September 2018}} | ideology = Non-ideological (overall group)<ref name=CarnegieMEC>{{cite web|author=Lund, Aron|url=http://carnegie-mec.org/syriaincrisis/?fa=53910|title=The Syria Revolutionaries' Front|work=Carnegie Middle East Center|date=13 December 2013|accessdate=16 September 2014}}</ref> *Islamic democracy (majority of groups) *Secularism (some groups) | clans = | leaders = *Jamal Maarouf (overall leader, northern branch)<ref name=ds17Dec/> *Col. Afif Suleiman (Idlib commander, resigned July 2014)<ref name=CarnegieMEC/> *Maj. Abu Osama al-Jolani (southern branch)<ref name=progress>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2016/03/19/as-the-syrian-cease-fire-holds-signs-of-progress-against-extremists/|title=As the Syrian cease-fire holds, signs of progress against extremists|newspaper=The Washington Post|author=David Ignatius|date=19 March 2016}}</ref> *Brig. Gen. Yahya al-Abdi (63rd Southern Division)<ref name=63rd>{{cite web|url=http://www.aldorars.com/en/news/1144|title=Military factions announce the formation of the 63rd Division of Quneitra countryside declaring its objectives|work=Al-Dorar al-Shamia|date=17 August 2017}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> *Capt. Abu Hamza al-Naimi{{KIA}} (southern branch)<ref name=car>{{cite web|url=http://syrianobserver.com/EN/News/30656|title=Syria Revolutionaries Front Commander Killed in Car Bomb Attack on Quneitra Base|work=Syria Observer/Enab Baladi|date=3 March 2016}}</ref> | headquarters = Quneitra Governorate, Syria | area = Daraa Governorate, Quneitra Governorate, Rif Dimashq Governorate, and Damascus Governorate, Syria<ref name=CarnegieMEC/> | size = * 10,000–15,000 ({{small|2014}})<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/01/06/213669/al-qaida-rebels-leave-mass-grave.html|title=Al Qaida rebels leave mass grave behind as they desert base in Syria|publisher=McClatchy|date=6 January 2014|accessdate=16 September 2014}}</ref> * 7,000 ({{small|2016}})<ref name=progress/> | partof = {{flagicon|Syrian opposition}} Free Syrian Army *21px Southern Front<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2025-05-17 |title=Does the "Southern Front" Exist? |url=http://carnegieendowment.org/syriaincrisis/?fa=55054 |website=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace}}</ref> **Southern Alliance<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aldorars.com/en/news/1126|title=A new military alliance in the Syrian south, what does it consist of?|work=Al-Dorar al-Shamia|date=16 August 2017|access-date=18 August 2017|archive-date=20 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920221722/http://aldorars.com/en/news/1126|url-status=dead}}</ref> | predecessor = | successor = | allies = * {{flag|Saudi Arabia}} (until 2017) * {{flag|Jordan}} (until 2018) * {{flag|Qatar}} * {{flagicon image|Logo of Jaysh al-Islam.jpg}} Jaysh al-Islam * {{flagicon image|Flag of the Army of Mujahedeen (Syria).svg}} Army of Mujahideen (formerly) * {{flagicon image|Flag of the Al-Nusra Front.svg}} Al-Nusra Front (sometimes)<ref name=am16dec>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/2014/12/jabhat-al-nusra-islamic-state-clash-qalamoun-risks-daraa.html|title=Jabhat al-Nusra, IS clash in Daraa|work=Al Monitor|access-date=20 December 2014|date=16 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220101714/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/2014/12/jabhat-al-nusra-islamic-state-clash-qalamoun-risks-daraa.html|archive-date=20 December 2014}}</ref> ** 23px Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar (formerly)<ref name=ni22april>{{Cite web|title=Aleppo: Syria's Stalingrad?|url=http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/aleppo-syrias-stalingrad-10320|date=22 April 2014|accessdate=16 September 2014|publisher=National Interest}}</ref> * {{flagicon|United States}} United States (until July 2017) * {{flagicon|Turkey}} Turkey (until 2015) | opponents = * {{flagicon|Syria|1980}} Ba'athist regime * {{flagdeco|ISIL}} Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant<ref name=AFP4Jan>{{cite news|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/01/05/world/syria-rebels-unite-and-launch-new-revolt-against-jihadists/|title=Syria rebels unite and launch new revolt, against jihadists|publisher=AFP|date=4 January 2014|accessdate=16 September 2014}}</ref> ** Khalid ibn al-Walid Army * {{flagicon image|Flag of the Al-Nusra Front.svg}} Al-Nusra Front (sometimes) * {{flagicon image|Flag of Jund al-Aqsa.svg}} Jund al-Aqsa<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-idlib-idUSKBN0IH1KW20141028|title=Al Qaeda seizes territory from moderate Syrian group|publisher=Reuters|date=28 October 2014|accessdate=28 October 2014}}</ref><ref name=am16dec/> | battles = Syrian Civil War * Rojava conflict * Syrian opposition–Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant conflict<ref name=gn>{{cite news|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/region/syria/new-syria-rebel-alliance-declares-war-on-al-qaida-1.1273670|title=New Syria rebel alliance declares war on Al Qaida|publisher=AFP|date=4 January 2014|accessdate=16 September 2014}}</ref> * Battle of Aleppo (2012–2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Jul-09/263183-reinforcements-rush-to-aleppo-as-battles-rage.ashx#axzz36N8qKwvx|title=Reinforcements rush to Aleppo as battles rage|publisher=The Daily Star|accessdate=16 September 2014|date=9 July 2014}}</ref> * Rif Dimashq Governorate campaign * Daraa Governorate campaign ** Daraa offensive (October 2014) ** First Battle of Al-Shaykh Maskin ** Daraa offensive (January 2015) ** Daraa and As-Suwayda offensive (June 2015) ** Daraa offensive (June–July 2015) ** Second Battle of Al-Shaykh Maskin ** Daraa offensive (March–April 2016) ** ISIL Daraa offensive (February 2017) * 2014 Quneitra offensive * al-Nusra Front–SRF/Hazzm Movement conflict<ref name=ara2nov>{{cite web|url=http://aranews.net/2014/11/al-qaeda-defeats-syrian-moderate-rebels-idlib/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102091431/http://aranews.net/2014/11/al-qaeda-defeats-syrian-moderate-rebels-idlib/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 2, 2014|title=Al-Qaeda defeats Syrian moderate rebels in Idlib|publisher=ARA News|date=2 November 2014|accessdate=3 November 2014}}</ref> }} The '''Syrian Revolutionaries Front''' ({{langx|ar|جبهة ثوار سوريا}}, ''Jabhat Thowar Suriya'', '''SRF''', also translated '''Syrian Rebel Front'''<ref name=ds17Dec/>) was an alliance of 14 relatively moderate religious and some secular armed groups fighting under the banner of the Free Syrian Army, formed in December 2013, thus according to ''Arutz Sheva'' (an Israeli media network) further sidelining the FSA and its leadership Supreme Military Council.<ref name=arutz2013>{{cite web|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/175251|title=Syria: New Rebel Alliance to Rival Islamists|publisher=Arutz Sheva|date=17 December 2013|accessdate=25 April 2016}}</ref> It was established as a response to the merger of Islamist Syrian rebels into the Islamic Front.<ref name=arutz2013/>

The group was known to receive Israeli support alongside several other Syrian opposition factions such as Fursan al-Joulan, Firqat Ahrar Nawa, Jaysh al-Ababil, Jaydour Horan Brigade, Al-Ezz bin Abdul Salam Brigade, Omar Bin Al-Khattab Brigade, Al-Haramein Battalion, Alwiya al-Furqan, Saif al-Sham Brigade, Jabhat Ansar al-Islam, Ahrar Gathering and others.<ref name="The Intercept" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name="al quds" />

==History== ===Northern branch=== In December 2013, following initial clashes, the Islamic Front and the Syrian Revolutionaries Front agreed to reconcile.<ref name=ds18Dec>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Dec-17/241361-fsa-alliance-pushes-back-against-islamic-front.ashx|title=FSA, Islamist factions pledge to reconcile|publisher=The Daily Star|date=18 December 2013|accessdate=16 September 2014|archive-date=22 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022150229/http://www.dailystar.com.lb//News/Middle-East/2013/Dec-17/241361-fsa-alliance-pushes-back-against-islamic-front.ashx|url-status=dead}}</ref> The coalition was spearheaded by Jamal Maarouf, head of the Syrian Martyrs' Brigades, largest member group of the SRF based in Jabal Zawiya, Idlib Governorate.<ref name=reuters19jan>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Jan-18/244483-syrian-opposition-meet-over-peace-conference.ashx|title=Syrian rebels try to agree peace talks stance in Turkey|publisher=Reuters|date=18 January 2014|accessdate=16 September 2014}}</ref> The group has supported the Geneva II Middle East peace conference that is aimed at resolving the Syrian civil war.<ref name=reuters19jan/> The group received financial support from Saudi Arabia, while the United States has reportedly given the group only non-lethal aid like food, medicine and blankets, in part due to concerns over its involvement in smuggling and extortion.<ref name=srfwapo/>

100 members of the SRF's Wolves of al-Ghab Brigade were killed in clashes with al-Qaeda's al-Nusra Front near Jisr al-Shughur on 16 July 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aranews.net/2014/07/isil-jabhat-al-nusra-announces-second-islamic-emirate-syria/|title=After ISIL, Jabhat al-Nusra announces Islamic Emirate in Syria|publisher=ARA News|date=22 July 2014|accessdate=16 September 2014|archive-date=16 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016172645/http://aranews.net/2014/07/isil-jabhat-al-nusra-announces-second-islamic-emirate-syria/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In late October 2014 clashes erupted again between the SRF and al-Nusra in the Jabal al-Zawiya region of Idlib, over the following days, dozens of SRF fighters defected to Nusra and the group lost control of numerous villages as they withdrew their forces from the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-nusra-idUSKBN0IL2QT20141101 |title=Al Qaeda group seizes bastion of Western-backed rebels in Syria's Idlib region|publisher=Reuters|date=1 November 2014|accessdate=9 February 2015}}</ref> Maarouf and some of his followers relocated to Turkey, however around half of his men in the region remained behind and accepted the change of control rather than fight.<ref name=srfwapo>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/the-rise-and-ugly-fall-of-a-moderate-syrian-rebel-offers-lessons-for-the-west/2015/01/04/3889db38-80da-4974-b1ef-1886f4183624_story.html|title=The rise and ugly fall of a moderate Syrian rebel offers lessons for the West|newspaper=Washington Post|date=5 January 2015|accessdate=9 February 2015}}</ref>

On 5 May 2015, some of the former members of the Hazzm Movement, the Syria Revolutionaries Front based in the north, Jabhat al-Akrad, the Dawn of Freedom Brigades and smaller FSA groups formed the Army of Revolutionaries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/archicivilians/status/594842226057814016|title=#Syria: Seven FSA groups (incl. Jabhat Akrad, Shams Shamal & Homs Revolutionary Union) form "The Revolutionary Army". |work=Twitter}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Syria_Rebel_Obs/status/594833226851610624|title=#SRO - EXCLUSIVE - Former Hazzm and #SRF forces allied with kurds and some #FSA small units to create Jaysh al-Thuwar (in 4 governorates).|work=Twitter}}</ref> Many of their northern members also dissolved into the Levant Front.

During the Turkish military intervention in Syria which started in late August 2016, some members of the Syrian Revolutionaries Front and the Hazm Movement in exile from Turkey crossed into Syria through Jarabulus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alquds.co.uk/?p=592205|title=Threatens to exit "Arab factions" him: repercussions Turkish intervention shake Syria's alliance forces of democracy east of the Euphrates|work=Al-Quds al-Arabi|date=3 September 2016}}</ref>

====Northern groups (now defunct)==== * Syrian Martyrs' Brigades<ref name=CarnegieMEC/> * Idlib Martyrs' Brigade<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zamanalwsl.net/news/53376.html|title=Renewed clashes between the "martyrs of Idlib" and "victory" Brief Idlib|work=Zaman al-Wasl|date=14 September 2014}}</ref> * Ansar Brigades * Wolves of al-Ghab Brigade * Free North Brigade * Northern Farouq Battalions * Hama Farouq Battalions * 9th Special Forces Division of Aleppo (left in January 2014 to join the Hazzm Movement) * Union of Free Zawiya Brigades (left in May 2014 to join the Syrian Salvation Front)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.almasryalyoum.com/news/details/455337|title=Armed factions in the "Idlib" announces the formation of "rescue Syria Front"|work=Egypt Independent|date=29 May 2014}}</ref> ** Al-Qa'qa' Brigade (expelled in May 2014 and joined the Syrian Salvation Front)<ref name="whose">{{cite news |url=https://theregion.org/article/12757-whose-free-syrian-army-the-arab-opposition-resisting-turkey-039-s-afrin-attacks |title=Whose Free Syrian Army? The Arab opposition resisting Turkey's Afrin attacks |author=Mohammed Elnaiem |work=The Region |date=7 February 2018 |access-date=28 July 2018}}</ref> * Idlib Military Council (dissolved in June 2014)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://syrianobserver.com/EN/News/27392/Military+Council+Leaders+Resign|title=Military Council Leaders Resign|work=Syrian Observer|date=16 June 2014|access-date=2 August 2017|archive-date=11 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811032249/http://syrianobserver.com/EN/News/27392/Military+Council+Leaders+Resign|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Khalid ibn al-Walid Brigade (left in July 2014)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://now.mmedia.me/lb/ar/orient/558119-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AC%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%A9-%D8%AB%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7|title=Brigade Khalid bin Walid withdraw from Syria Revolutionaries Front|work=Now News|date=31 July 2014|access-date=2 August 2017|archive-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019181539/https://now.mmedia.me/lb/ar/orient/558119-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AC%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%A9-%D8%AB%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Mountain Hawks Brigade (left to join the 5th Corps in September 2014) * Syrian Kurdish Revolutionary Council (Komala) (left in October 2014)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zamanalwsl.net/news/article/48312|title="Komala" declares joining the Syrian rebel front|work=Zaman al-Wasl|date=5 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eldorar.com/node/61229|title=The withdrawal of the Syrian Kurdish Revolutionary Council from the Syrian rebel front|work=El-Dorar al-Shamia|date=16 October 2014}}</ref>

===Southern branch=== The group is currently only active in southern Syria, as a member of a Southern Front group, and previously part of the First Army of the Southern Front. On 2 March 2016, a car bomb explosion targeted the SRF headquarters in Quneitra and killed its commander Captain Abu Hamza al-Naimi and 4 other field commanders.<ref name=car/> Some time in 2016, the SRF's branch in Jubata al-Khashab split into 3 factions. The local SRF commander in the area also defected to the Golan Regiment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rubincenter.org/2017/07/israels-relations-with-the-syrian-rebels-an-assessment/|title=Arab Media: Israeli Bombardment Killed, Wounded Targets inside Syria|author=Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi|author-link=Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi|editor=Jonathan Spyer|editor-link=Jonathan Spyer|publisher=Rubin Center|date=3 July 2017|accessdate=4 July 2017|archive-date=9 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709103919/http://www.rubincenter.org/2017/07/israels-relations-with-the-syrian-rebels-an-assessment/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 6 April 2017, clashes erupted between the SRF and Jabhat Ansar al-Islam in the northern Quneitra countryside, which resulted in 7 rebels being killed. Government forces shelled the area on the same day, which resulted in a ceasefire between the two rebel groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.all4syria.info/Archive/400767|title=Dead and wounded in clashes between two factions revolutionists north of Quneitra|work=All4Syria|date=7 April 2017}}</ref>

On 31 July 2017, 5 SRF groups in Daraa and Quneitra merged into the 1st Infantry Division and established a unified command structure for the SRF.<ref name=1st/>

====Southern groups==== {{div col|colwidth=20em}} * Jaydour Horan Brigade<ref name="Syrian Memory Institute">{{cite web |title=Jaydour Horan Brigade on Syrian Memory Institute website|website=Syrian Memory Institute|url=https://syrianmemory.org/archive/entities/5ce7ee20e845530001e7a553|access-date=22 July 2025}}</ref> *63rd Southern Division<ref name=63rd/> **Dawn of the Levant Union **Abu Dujana Brigades **Jafar al-Tayyar Brigade **Lions of Mercy Brigade **Free Yarmouk Brigade **Hazm Brigade **Mercy Brigade **Southern Martyrs Brigade **Martyr Abdul Rahim Samour Brigade **Special Tasks Brigade *Coming Victory Brigade *7th Division *Riyad al-Salehin Battalions of Damascus *Special Assignments Regiment of Damascus **Armenian Battalion<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-world/2014/03/23/syria-announcement-forming-armed-battalion-fighters-armenian-christian-network-fighting-internet|title=Armenian Christian Battalion|work=Al Aan TV|author=Jawad al-Arbeni|date=23 March 2014}}</ref> *Helpers Brigades *Southern Swords Division<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRKekmdPF24|title=مميز// تشكيل فرقة سيف الجنوب في المنطقة الجنوبية بسوريا 5/6/2016|last=احمد الجولاني|date=5 June 2016|publisher=|via=YouTube}}</ref> *Martyr Captain Abu Hamza al-Naimi Union {{div col end}}

=====Former===== * Omari Brigades * Omar Bin Al-Khattab Brigade<ref name="Syrian Memory Institute" /> * All 5 groups left to form the 1st Imfantry Division<ref name=1st>{{Cite web|url=http://www.alghadalsoury.com/2017/07/31/%D8%AC%D8%A8%D9%87%D8%A9-%D8%AB%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%86-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D9%87%D9%8A%D9%83%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%AA/|title=SYRIAN REVOLUTIONARY FRONT ANNOUNCES NEW STRUCTURE AND FORMATION OF 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION|work=Syria's Tomorrow|date=31 July 2017}}</ref> ** 1st Infantry Gathering ** Gathering of Righteousness<ref>{{cite web|url=https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/566891-fsa-factions-reorganizing-in-southern-syria|title=FSA factions reorganizing in southern Syria|first=Albin|last=Szakola|publisher=|accessdate=6 July 2016|archive-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019125641/https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/566891-fsa-factions-reorganizing-in-southern-syria|url-status=dead}}</ref> ** Union of the Unity of the Nation ** Saladin Brigades ** Tank Brigade

==Israeli cooperation== A 2018 investigation by The Intercept, which gathered information from senior Southern Front commanders and Syrian activist sources, confirmed that Jaysh al-Ababil was among several factions receiving covert Israeli aid alongside others such as Saif al-Sham Brigade and Jaydour Horan Brigade.<ref name="The Intercept">{{cite web |title=Israel's "Safe Zone" Is Creeping Farther Into Syria|website=The Intercept|url=https://theintercept.com/2018/01/23/israel-syria-safe-buffer-zone-golan-heights/|date=23 January 2018|access-date=22 July 2025}}</ref> According to a 2018 investigation by Foreign Policy, Israel supported at least 12 rebel groups by providing them with humanitarian aid, medical treatments, logistical support and military transfers which included assault rifles, machine guns, mortar launchers and transport vehicles. Israel also transferred cash in the form of salaries of $75 per fighter, alongside additional funds for procuring weapons locally.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Inside Israel's Secret Program to Back Syrian Rebels|website=Foreign Policy|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/09/06/in-secret-program-israel-armed-and-funded-rebel-groups-in-southern-syria/|date=6 September 2018|access-date=22 July 2025}}</ref>

A 2018 investigation by The Intercept, which gathered information from senior Southern Front commanders and Syrian activist sources, confirmed that Jaydour Horan Brigade, which is part of the Syrian Revolutionaries Front was among several factions receiving covert Israeli aid alongside others such as Saif al-Sham Brigade and Jaysh al-Ababil. Reportedly, in late July 2017, a small group of Israeli military and intelligence personnel, traveling in ambulances, made a tour of the west Daraa countryside and met with commanders from Jaydour Horan Brigade and Jaysh al-Ababil. Another meeting then took place in September 2017 in the Quneitra border town of Rafid, where local council leaders, doctors, and militia commanders — including those from Jaydour Horan Brigade, Fursan al-Joulan, and the Syrian Revolutionaries Front — met with an Israeli representative to discuss further cooperation.<ref name="The Intercept">{{cite web |title=Israel's "Safe Zone" Is Creeping Farther Into Syria|website=The Intercept|url=https://theintercept.com/2018/01/23/israel-syria-safe-buffer-zone-golan-heights/|date=23 January 2018|access-date=22 July 2025}}</ref> According to a 2018 investigation by Foreign Policy, Israel supported at least 12 rebel groups by providing them with humanitarian aid, medical treatments, logistical support and military transfers which included assault rifles, machine guns, mortar launchers and transport vehicles. Israel also transferred cash in the form of salaries of $75 per fighter.<ref name=":0" />

Throughout those meetings Israel tried to forn the Southern Army in southern Syria, which included a group of opposition factions in the region. At that time, it was agreed that the army would include the Syrian Revolutionaries Front, Jabhat Ansar al-Islam, Fursan al-Joulan, and other factions operating in the area. However, in July 2018, as part of another attempt by Israel to establish the Southern Army, a military source in one of the factions that agreed to join the Southern Army told Al-Quds Al-Arabi that the Syrian Revolutionaries Front, Ahrar al-Sham and Al-Nusra Front rejected joining the Southern Army, while some members of the latter agreed to remain in the disengagement zone near the border with the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan.<ref name="al quds">{{cite web |title=إسرائيل تشكل «جيش الجنوب» في منطقة فض الاشتباك في القنيطرة|website=Al-Quds Al-Arabi|url=https://www.alquds.co.uk/%ef%bb%bf%d8%a5%d8%b3%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%a6%d9%8a%d9%84-%d8%aa%d8%b4%d9%83%d9%84-%d8%ac%d9%8a%d8%b4-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ac%d9%86%d9%88%d8%a8-%d9%81%d9%8a-%d9%85%d9%86%d8%b7%d9%82%d8%a9-%d9%81/|date=21 July 2018|access-date=15 August 2015}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Anti-Assad factions of the Syrian civil war Category:Organizations established in 2013 Category:2013 establishments in Syria Category:Free Syrian Army

Syrian Revolutionaries Front

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