Third Legion (Syria)

Last updated
Third Legion [1]
LeadersAbdul Salam Hamidi [2]
Abu Ahmed Nour [3] (?-August 2022) [4]
Abu Yassin (August 2022-?) [4]
Dates of operation18 October 2021 [5] –29 January 2025 [6]
CountrySyria
Group(s) Levant Front [7]
Jaysh al-Islam [8]
51st Division [9]
Peace Brigades [9]
Elite Brigade (joined in August 2022) [4]
Sultan Malek Shah (left in July 2022) [10]
Glory Corps (left in June 2024) [11]
Headquarters Afrin (formerly) [12]
Part of Syrian National Army [13]
Allies Liberation and Construction Movement [8]
Opponents Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham [14]
Hamza Division
Sultan Suleiman Shah Brigade [8]
Battles and wars

The Third Legion is a faction of the Syrian National Army.

History

The Third Legion fought with members of the Ahrar al-Sham Eastern Sector, also known as the 32nd Division, which had formerly been part of the Third Legion, but defected to Ahrar al-Sham in June 2022. The fighting killed at least five fighters on both sides, with more being wounded, in addition to killing two civilians and injuring two more. Ahrar al-Sham reinforcements from Idlib were blocked from arriving by members of the National Front for Liberation, which closed a border crossing. The Third Legion took control of Tall Battal. [15]

The group clashed with the Hamza Division and other factions following the murder of Aleppo-based activist Muhammad Abdul Latif and his pregnant wife by the Hamza Division in October 2022, expelling the Hamza Division from al-Bab. [17] Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham intervened on the side of the Hamza Division on 11 October. [18] Turkey deployed its armed forces to the area on 18 October. [19] Hayat Thaeroon for Liberation stopped the infighting by separating HTS and the Third Legion fighters. [20]

References

  1. ↑ al-Sheikh, Mo’ayed (12 December 2023). "Turkish-backed SNA hands over 3 government forces to Turkey". North Press Agency. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  2. ↑ "Turkish-backed Syrian forces expect military operation soon". Al Jazeera English . 10 June 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  3. ↑ Walid Al Nofal (4 April 2022). "The case of Abu Amsha: How commanders of Turkish-backed factions in northwestern Syria go unpunished". Syria Direct . Translated by Mateo Nelson. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 Hassan Ibrahim (28 September 2022). "Two movements in National Army: Consensus only in statements, eyes on Tahrir al-Sham". Enab Baladi . Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  5. ↑ "The National Army is eroding. Learn about the factional composition in northern Syria in 2023". Syria.tv (in Arabic). 8 October 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  6. ↑ "Syrian Leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa Delivers 'Victory Speech,' Outlines Syria's Future Roadmap, Announces Dissolution Of Ba'ath Party, Armed Factions Into New 'Syrian Army'; Military Operations Command Declares Al-Sharaa President Of Syria During Transitional Phase". MEMRI. 29 January 2025. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  7. ↑ Walid Al Nofal (19 April 2022). "Mergers and tensions within the Syrian National Army: A 'struggle for existence'". Syria Direct . Translated by Mateo Nelson. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 Orwa Ajjoub (26 October 2022). "HTS, Turkey, and the future of Syria's north". Middle East Institute . Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  9. 1 2 "The SNA Encyclopedia: A Guide to the Turkish Proxy Militias" (PDF). Rojava Information Center. August 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  10. ↑ "New Split in Turkish-backed SNA north of Syria's Aleppo". North Press Agency. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  11. ↑ "Several SNA formations Merge under Renaissance and Liberation Movement". Enab Baladi. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  12. ↑ "HTS takes full control over Syria's Afrin". North Press Agency. 13 October 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  13. ↑ Khaled al-Jeratli; Hassan Ibrahim; Hussam al-Mahmoud; Jana al-Issa (20 October 2022). "Combat economy may lead to annihilation War of alliances draws the map of Syrian north". Enab Baladi . Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  14. ↑ "Clashes renew between HTS, Turkish-backed faction in Syria's Afrin". North Press Agency. 14 October 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  15. 1 2 "Seven dead as clashes erupt in northern Syria". The New Arab . 19 June 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  16. ↑ "Reinforcements to Turkish-backed Third Legion arrive in Syria's Afrin". North Press Agency. 14 October 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  17. ↑ Walid Al Nofal (12 October 2022). "'Accountability, or fall': Syrian National Army's Hamza Division under fire after assassination of opposition activist in northern Aleppo". Syria Direct . Translated by Mateo Nelson. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  18. ↑ Walid Al Nofal (14 October 2022). "Interests over ideology: Why al-Jolani is expanding into northern Aleppo, and how Turkey might respond". Syria Direct . Translated by Mateo Nelson. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  19. ↑ "Turkish Troops Deploy in Syrian Town to Halt Inter-Opposition Fighting". Asharq Al-Awsat. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  20. ↑ "HTS halts offensive in northern Syria as Turkey moves to end inter-rebel clashes". The New Arab. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
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