Jamal Maarouf

Jamal Maarouf
Jamal Maarouf in Idlib, Syria.
Born Syria
Nationality Syrian
Known for Leader of the Syrian Martyrs' Brigade
Military career
Allegiance Syria FSA
(2011-present)
Service/branch Syria SRF
(December 2013-5 May 2015)
Years of service 2011-present
Rank
Battles/wars Syrian Civil War

Jamal Maarouf (Arabic: جمال معروف) is a Syrian rebel leader active during the Syrian Civil War who was one of the most powerful rebel leaders in northern Syria[1] during the earlier stages of the conflict. He is the military chief of the Syria Revolutionaries Front and leader of the Syrian Martyrs' Brigade, both part of the Free Syrian Army.[2]

Biography

Before the uprising against president Bashar al-Assad, Jamal Maarouf was a construction worker. He had previously served a prison sentence for sexual assault. He was one of the first to take up arms in the Idlib province against the Assad government.[2] He later called for the expulsion of Alawi Muslims across Aleppo province.[1] Jamal Maarouf created the Syrian Martyrs' Brigade in December 2011 and later the Syria Revolutionaries Front, with funding by Saudi Arabia. The SRF was accused of corruption and of hoarding bread to raise prices in areas under its control, prompting the al-Qaeda affiliated al-Nusra Front to attack it. Maarouf then fled to Turkey after his force was defeated by the al-Nusra Front in late 2014.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 The rise and ugly fall of a moderate Syrian rebel offers lessons for the West
  2. 1 2 3 "The Fall Of Jamal Maarouf, Symbol Of The Moderate Syrian Rebellion's Demise". World Crunch. 19 October 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2015.


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