| Al-Fahd Forces | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | Salim Humeid |
| Dates of operation | 2020-2025 |
| Merged into | National Guard |
| Headquarters | Qanawat, Suwayda, Syria [1] |
| Size | 50 [2] |
| Allies | |
| Opponents | Eighth Brigade [4] |
| Battles and wars | |
The Al-Fahd Forces, also translated as the Panther Forces, [3] were a government-aligned faction in Syria during the Syrian civil war which was led by Salim Humeid.
The Al-Fahd Forces aligned with various Druze groups, including Sheikh al-Karama Forces, Kata'ib Humat al-Diyar, Ma’an Zahreddin group, Karem Ubaid group, and Usoud al-Jabal group, in addition to the National Defence Forces (NDF), in September 2020 while fighting against the Eighth Brigade. [4]
The group cooperated with protestors in blocking the Damascus-Suwayda Highway following the outbreak of protests in February 2022 in Suwayda Governorate, [9] primarily over the increase in costs after the removal of subsidies by the state. [10]
Salim Humeid announced in late July 2022 that his group would withdraw its weapons, in response to the Al-Jabal Brigade giving the group 24 hours to give up its weapons. [11]
Laith al-Balous, the Al-Jabal Brigade and the Anti-Terrorism Force launched a "security campaign" against the Al-Fahd Forces and the Raji Falhout group in Qanawat on 11 August 2022. [7]
Humeid's brother, as well as Salim al-Qan’abani, were arrested on 11 August 2022. [12] Humeid turned himself in to the leader of the Al-Jabal Brigade, Murhij al-Jarmani, who released him. [13] This took place at the request of a Druze spiritual authority, which inflamed tensions. [7]
Humeid initially agreed to abide by a proposed reconciliation agreement, but he opened fire after his release. [14]
The faction joined the National Guard in August 2025. [15]