Syrian National Resistance
| Syrian National Resistance | |
|---|---|
| Participant in Syrian Civil War | |
|
Flag of the Syrian National Resistance | |
| Active | 6 September 2016[1] – present |
| Ideology |
Syrian nationalism[1][2] Anti-Turkism[1][2] Democracy[1] |
| Groups | Kafr Saghir Martyrs Brigade[3] |
| Leaders | Rezan Hedo[1] (political leader) |
| Headquarters | Tel Rifaat |
| Area of operations | Aleppo Governorate, Syria |
| Allies |
 Syrian Democratic Forces[3] |
| Opponents |
 Turkey[1][2] / Pro-Turkish Syrian opposition affiliates and allies[3] Al-Nusra Front[4] Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant[4] |
| Battles and wars | |
The Syrian National Resistance (Arabic: المقاومة الوطنية السورية) is a pro-government, anti-Turkish coalition that is active in Aleppo Governorate, fighting against the Turkish military intervention in Syria. Its leader, Rezan Hedo, is an independent member of the Syrian Democratic Council.[1][2]
History
The Syrian National Resistance was officially founded on 6 September 2016 in the SDF-controlled town of Tell Rifaat,[1] with its armed wing formed from the pro-government Kafr Saghir Martyrs Brigade.[3] By 12 September, the SNR already claimed to have set up offices in Aleppo, Idlib, Homs, Latakia, and other Syrian cities.[4] In late November 2016, the SNR entered the Battle of al-Bab together with the Syrian Army (SAA) to prevent Turkish-led rebel militias from conquering al-Bab.[3]
Ideology
The SNR is expressly Syrian nationalist and anti-Turkish, having accused Turkey of conducting a genocide against Syrian Arabs, Kurds, Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians and Chaldeans in Aleppo Governorate, attempting to conquer parts of Syria, and aiding terrorism. The group has also expressed as one of its aims to retake Turkey's Hatay Province, which was annexed from Syria in 1939. Furthermore, the SNR is strongly opposed to the Al-Nusra Front as well as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, having declared its intention to drive them from Syria. The Syrian National Resistance follows a pan-ethnic brand of Syrian nationalism, and reportedly has Arab, Kurdish, Assyrian and Turkmen members;[4] it wishes to ensure Syria's future as united, integrated, and democratic state.[1][2][4]
The SNR is allied both to the Syrian Armed Forces as well as the SDF, having been declared "a key player in improving regional relations between the SAA and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)".[3] Nevertheless, the Syrian National Resistance denies a direct affiliation to either faction.[4] Rezan Hedo has stated that he counts on the support of both loyalists as well as opponents to the Ba'athist government,[1] and that the SNR has "nothing to do" with the PYD, TEV-DEM, YPG, and PKK.[4] Despite that, the SNR is considered to be a pro-government faction, as its armed wing was formed from a pro-government Kurdish unit.[3]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Albin Szakola (7 September 2016). "New Syria group vows to "resist" Turkish military incursion". NOW. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "'Syrian National Resistance' coalition founded against Turkish invasion". ANHA. 7 September 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Chris Tomson (29 November 2016). "Syrian Army captures first village from Turkish-backed rebels on the outskirts of al-Bab". al-Masdar News. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Syrian Resistance Force Urges Turkey to Return Two Regions". Moscow: Sputnik (news agency). 12 September 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
