Introduction

The Syrian conflict has involved numerous rebel groups, both Sunni and Shia, fighting against the Assad regime and sometimes each other.

Here are some of the key groups

Sunni Rebel Groups

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)

Formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra, this Sunni Islamist group has become one of the most powerful rebel factions in Syria.

Syrian National Army (SNA)

A Turkish-backed coalition of Sunni rebel groups, including many former Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions.

National Front for Liberation (NFL)

A sub-coalition within the SNA, comprising various Sunni rebel groups.

Free Syrian Army (FSA)

While many of its factions have been absorbed into the SNA, some groups still operate under this name.

Southern Operations Command

A recently formed coalition of local Sunni and Druze rebel groups in southern Syria.

ISIS

ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) is indeed a Sunni extremist group, but it is not supported by Turkey, Israel, the US, or Iran.

In fact, ISIS is opposed by all of these countries. Here’s a breakdown of the situation:

ISIS’s Sunni Identity

ISIS is a Sunni jihadist organization that emerged from al-Qaeda in Iraq.

It exploits Sunni grievances in Syria and Iraq, presenting itself as a protector of Sunni Muslims.

However, its extreme ideology and brutal tactics have led to rejection by mainstream Sunni communities and religious authorities.

Shia-Aligned Groups

While most Shia-aligned forces in Syria support the Assad regime, there are some groups that could be considered “rebels” against the current power structure:

Liwa al-Baqir

A pro-government Shia militia that has occasionally acted independently of Assad’s directives.

Liwa Fatemiyoun

An Afghan Shia militia backed by Iran, which has sometimes pursued its own agenda.

Conclusion

It’s important to note that the majority of Shia-aligned forces in Syria, such as Hezbollah and various Iranian-backed militias, have generally supported the Assad regime rather than rebelling against it. The conflict has been predominantly characterized by Sunni-led opposition groups fighting against the Alawite-led (a branch of Shia Islam) Assad government.