Al-Fahd Forces

Last updated
Al-Fahd Forces
LeadersSalim Humeid
Dates of operation2020-2025
Merged into National Guard
Headquarters Qanawat, Suwayda, Syria [1]
Size50 [2]
AlliesCivil flag of Jabal ad-Druze (1921-1936).svg Raji Falhout group [3]
Civil flag of Jabal ad-Druze (1921-1936).svg Sheikh al-Karama Forces
Civil flag of Jabal ad-Druze (1921-1936).svg Kata'ib Humat al-Diyar
InfoboxNDF.png National Defence Forces [4]
OpponentsCivil flag of Jabal ad-Druze (1921-1936).svg Men of Dignity [5]
Civil flag of Jabal ad-Druze (1921-1936).svg Al-Jabal Brigade [6]
Eighth Brigade [4]
Civil flag of Jabal ad-Druze (1921-1936).svg Anti-Terrorism Force [7]
Flag of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces (1980-2024).svg Syrian Arab Armed Forces
InfoboxNDF.png National Defence Forces [8]
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.

History

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]

References

  1. David Isaly (17 August 2022). "Against the odds". Now Lebanon. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  2. Ali Darwish; Khaled Jar’atli; Hussam al-Mahmoud; Rayan al-Atrash (3 October 2021). "Multiple conflicting forces on the ground portend possible clash in Syria's As-Suwayda". Enab Baladi . Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  3. 1 2 Sofia Al Asaad (4 March 2025). "Suwayda's Women Trapped in Complicity". Al Jumhuriya. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 Ihsan Muhammad (29 September 2020). "Dozens killed and injured due to clashes in Suwayda, southern Syria". North Press Agency. Daraa. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  5. "Armed factions raid leaders of government-backed groups in Syria's Suwayda". North Press Agency. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  6. "As-Suwayda: Local fighters eliminate second pro-regime faction". Enab Baladi . 12 August 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 "Regime-controlled areas in August 2022 - 105 fatalities in acts of violence amid rampant security chaos…heavy human and material losses in five Israeli attacks…ongoing efforts by Jabal Al-Arab' residents to curb Iranian expansion". Syrian Observatory for Human Rights . 10 September 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
  8. "Agreement to Reduce Tension in Suwayda". Baladi News. The Syrian Observer. 22 March 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  9. "Residents of Syria's Suwayda reject governor's promises, continue protesting". North Press Agency. 3 February 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  10. "Fresh wave of protests in As-Suwayda: Causes and repercussions". Jusoor. 8 February 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  11. Walid Al Nofal (4 August 2022). "After Falhout: Suwayda residents and factions expand action against Damascus-backed 'gangs'". Syria Direct . Translated by Mateo Nelson. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  12. "Armed factions raid leaders of government-backed groups in Syria's Suwayda". North Press Agency. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  13. Walid Al Nofal (13 September 2022). "Suwayda factions: Uprooting 'the gangs' or consolidating power?". Syria Direct . Translated by Mateo Nelson. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  14. "Pro-government groups in Syria's Suwayda face undecided fate". North Press Agency. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  15. "What Is the "National Guard" Formed by Sheikh al-Hijri in Suwayda, Southern Syria?". Enab Baladi. 24 August 2025. Archived from the original on 24 August 2025. Retrieved 26 October 2025.