Eagles of the Whirlwind
| Eagles of the Whirlwind | |
|---|---|
|
نسور الزوبعة Participant in the Syrian Civil War | |
 Eagles of the Whirlwind logo | |
| Ideology |
Syrian nationalism Secularism[1] Anti-Zionism Pro-Syrian government |
| Leaders | Ali Haidar, General Secretary SSNP |
| Area of operations | Syria, Lebanon |
| Size | 6,000–8,000 [2] |
| Part of |
 |
| Allies |
    Popular Committees |
| Opponents |
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| Battles and wars |
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| Flag |
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The Eagles of Whirlwind (Arabic: نسور الزوبعة, Nusour al Zawba'a) are the armed wing of the Syrian Social National Party. Around 6,000 to 8,000 men strong,[2] they have participated in many battles and operations throughout the Syrian Civil War fighting alongside the Syrian Arab Army and its allies and participating in various military operations.
After the escalation of the crisis in Syria to an armed conflict and later full-scale civil war, the Eagles largely grew and their fighters were primarily deployed in the governorates of Homs and Damascus and were said to be the most formidable military force other than the Syrian Arab Army in Suweida.[15]
Their most notable military operations is their participation in the battles of Sadad, Ma'loula, al-Qaryatayn, among others,[16] and most notably the Rif Dimashq offensive, code named Operation Damascus Steel, in which they, with the aid of the Syrian Arab Army and allied militias, with Russian air support advanced on Eastern Ghouta, a formerly major rebel stronghold and their foothold in the capital since 2013.[17] Party officials say its membership has increased "by the thousands" since the start of the war as a result of its alleged "reputation as an effective fighting force in Syria".
The Eagles of Whirlwind primarily recruit Eastern Orthodox Christians from Lebanon and increasingly, Syria (although fighters from all religious backgrounds have been attracted to its secular, Syrian nationalist outlook). Lebanese fighters are included in their ranks, even though the party claims that "their proportion within the group’s total fighting force has decreased steadily, as more Syrians sign up".
Ideology
The eagles are the armed wing of the SSNP and thus share the same ideologies and goals. The SSNP's core ideology is Syrian nationalism and the belief in the concept of a 'Greater Syria' or 'Natural Syria' which extends from the Taurus range north of Syria to the Suez Canal in Egypt, thus encompassing the modern boundaries of Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, Palestine, Israel and parts of Egypt and Turkey.
Despite the fact that their beliefs contradict that of Syria's ruling Baath part which focus on Arab nationalism and believe in a united Arab homeland, the SSNP and its armed wing has stood by the Syrian government.
See also
References
- ↑ "Syrian Socialist Nationalist Party: A Threat to Syria's Ruling Baath Party?". Sputnik International. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
- 1 2 "The Eagles of the Whirlwind - Foreign Policy".
- ↑ "Syrian Army and Hezbollah advance in southern al-Zabadani". Al Masdar News. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
- ↑ "Photos: Members of pro-government Syrian Social Nationalist party participate in Eastern Ghouta offensive". South Front. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
- ↑ "Syrian Army goes all-in on Aleppo as more reinforcements pour into the city". Al Masdar News. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
- ↑ "Syrian Army secures Ghaniyah in the al-Ghaab plains". Al Masdar News. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
- ↑ Leith Fadel. "Islamist Rebels Announce the 2nd Phase of Their Wide-Scale Offensive in Hama". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- ↑ "Syrian Army captures Beit Fares village in northern Latakia". Al Masdar News. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
- ↑ "Syrian Army recaptures key village in northern Latakia". Al Masdar News. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
- ↑ "Syrian army prepares large-scale offensive in northern Hama". Al Masdar News. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
- ↑ "Der Syrische Bürgerkrieg". Truppendienst. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
- ↑ "The SSNP 'Hurricane' in the Syrian Conflict: Syria and South Lebanon Are the Same Battlefield". Al Akhbar News. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
- ↑ Leith Aboufadel (18 June 2018). "In pictures: SSNP forces crack ISIL's lines in southeast Syria". al-Masdar News. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
- ↑ Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (27 July 2018). "The Suwayda' Attacks: Interview". Retrieved 4 August 2018.
- ↑ "The SSNP 'Hurricane' in the Syrian Conflict: Syria and South Lebanon Are the Same Battlefield". Al Akhbar English. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
- ↑ Natalia Sancha (5 April 2016). "El Ejército sirio expulsa al Estado Islámico del desierto". El País. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
- ↑ "Photos: Members Of Pro-Government Syrian Social Nationalist Party Participate In Eastern Ghotua Offensive". SouthFront. 4 March 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
