The Free Syrian Army (FSA) is an armed opposition organization conducting operations in Syria against Bashar al-Asad’s Ba’athist regime.[1] The group was founded by Colonel Riad al-Asad, a former Syrian Air Force officer who defected in July 2011.[2] Initially, the FSA was formed to defend civilians in locations where protests against the Asad government was occurring and to promote additional defections from the Syrian armed forces.[3]

FSA’s command center was originally based out of Turkey in the southern Hatay province near the Syrian border while FSA field commanders conducted operations within Syria.[4] The Turkish government claimed they wanted to provide safety to the defecting military members.[5] After attempts at creating military councils and joint commands, the FSA was reorganized in a December 2012 gathering in Antalya, Turkey.[6] At this meeting, Brigadier General Salim Idriss was named the new Chief of Staff of the FSA, and the Supreme Joint Military Command (SMC) was created.[7] Fighters from Lebanon, Algeria, Tunisia, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia have reportedly been active in fighting with the FSA, although the number of foreign fighters is difficult to determine.[8]

The FSA utilizes guerilla-style military tactics against Asad’s military forces. Specifically, they have targeted Asad’s command-and-control and logistics.[9] General Idriss remained the Chief of Staff of the FSA until February 2014 when the group named Brigadier General Abdul-Ilah al-Bashir as his replacement.[10] As a result of the removal of General Idriss, a split occurred in the Free Syrian Army. Some rebels remained loyal to General Idriss while others supported the SMC and General al-Bashir.[11] As of May 2014, many rebels have abandoned the Free Syrian Army, claiming they do not see victory in the future and citing a lack of discipline within the FSA.[12] The FSA has been accused of war crimes,[13] including the use of child soldiers (a somewhat widespread practice amongst Syria's armed opposition groups).[14] View full narrative