Liwa al-Quds

Liwa al-Quds
Participant in Syrian Civil War
Active September 2013–present[1]
Ideology Pro-Syrian government
Palestinian nationalism
Groups Lions of al-Quds Battalion
Deterrence Battalion
Lions of al-Shahba' Battalion[2]
Aleppo Defenders Corps[3]
Leaders

Muhammad al-Sa'eed (a.k.a. "The Engineer")[2]

Col. Mohammad Rafi †[4]
(operations commander)[5]
Headquarters Aleppo[2]
Allies

Syrian Armed Forces
National Defence Forces
 Russia
Ba'ath Brigades
 Hezbollah
IRGC
PFLP-GC
Palestine Liberation Army

Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq[6]
Opponents Free Syrian Army
Islamic Front
Al-Nusra Front
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Battles and wars

Liwa al-Quds (Arabic: لواء القدس‎) or the Jerusalem Brigade is a Palestinian militia (brigade) that operates as a part of pro-Syrian government forces in Syrian Civil War. It was formed in 2013 by the engineer Muhammad al-Sa'eed. The fighters who call themselves the 'Syrian Arab Army Fedayeen' are distributed on the periphery of the camp and south of al-Nayrab military and civil airport. They are also present in Aziza village, Sheikh Latfi, and around the Air Intelligence building and the Greatest Messenger mosque. By the beginning of 2015, the group had suffered 200 killed and over 400 wounded since its establishment.[2] The group is composed of predominantly Sunni Palestinians from the al-Nayrab district as well as the former refugee camp Handarat. Liwa al-Quds is believed to be the largest loyalist auxiliary force operating in Aleppo.[1]

History

The group supported the Syrian Army in its effort to reopen the main supply line to Aleppo in 2015.[7]

In June 2017, Liwa al-Quds launched a recruitment campaign in Homs Governorate, where it aimed at enlisting young Palestinian refugees.[8]

In May 2018 Liwa al-Quds was fighting with ISIS pocket in the desert of Deir ez-Zor as a part of joint operation of Liwa al-Quds, NDF and SAA forces. Liwa al-Quds captured village of Faydat Umm Muwaynah.[9]

In July 2018, Samer Rafe, a prominent commander of the militia, was arrested in Latakia after a firefight with government forces. He had previously been arrested on charges of robbery in Aleppo, confessed to the charges, and served a prison term of one year before being released.[10]

Compostition

The brigade is composed of three main battalions, which are: Lions of al-Quds Battalion, which operates in al-Nayrab camp and its surrounding as well as in southern and eastern countryside; the Deterrence Battalion, which operates in the north Aleppo countryside south of the villages of Nubl and Al-Zahraa; and the Lions of al-Shahba' Battalion, which operates on the fighting fronts inside Aleppo city.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "The Jamestown Foundation: October 2014 Briefs". The Jamestown Foundation.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Syria Comment » Archives Overview of some pro-Assad Militias - Syria Comment". Syria Comment.
  3. ↑ "The Palestinian al-Quds Brigade has a new Iran-backed militia for fighting in Aleppo". Al-Dorar al-Shamia. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  4. ↑ Chris Tomson (28 November 2016). "Senior Palestinian paramilitary commander killed by rebel forces in Aleppo". Al-Masdar News. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  5. ↑ "Russian influence evident in Palestinian militia in Syria". Long War Journal. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  6. ↑ http://ahlualhaq.com/index.php/permalink/3777.html
  7. ↑ Leith Fadel (24 October 2015). "Breaking: Syrian Army Reopens the Ithriyah-Salamiyah Road in East Hama After Defeating ISIS". Al-Masdar News.
  8. ↑ "Liwa al Quds militia Recruits Palestinian refugees of Homs". Al-Dorar Al-Shamia. 29 June 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  9. ↑ https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-launches-massive-assault-in-western-deir-ezzor-liberates-large-area/
  10. ↑ "Member of AlQuds Brigade Arrested by Gov't Forces". Action Group for Palestinians of Syria. 1 July 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
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