23rd Division | |
---|---|
Arabic: الفرقة 23 | |
![]() Fighters of the 23rd Division, led by Col. Abu Mustafa, during the Turkish military operation in Afrin in February 2018. The group's flag can be seen in the background. | |
Leaders |
Former: |
Dates of operation | 19 September 2013 – 25 July 2016 (16th Division) July 2016 – 8 August 2020 (23rd Division Aleppo branch only) |
Group(s) |
Former:
|
Headquarters | Khalidiya District, Aleppo (2013–16) Qah, Idlib Governorate (2016–18)[9] |
Active regions | Aleppo Governorate and northern Idlib Governorate, Syria |
Size | +1,600 (own claim in 2014)[5] |
Part of | ![]() ![]() |
Allies |
|
Opponents | |
Battles and wars | Syrian Civil War |
The 23rd Division (Arabic: الفرقة 23) or 16th Infantry Division (Arabic: الفرقة 16 مشاة) was a Syrian rebel group affiliated with the Free Syrian Army. Formed in September 2013, the group was active mainly in the city Aleppo and its surroundings. After rebel lines in Aleppo collapsed due to advances by the Syrian Army during the Battle of Aleppo in mid-2016, the 16th Division suffered heavy casualties and was dissolved. Remnants of the group then formed the 23rd Division (Arabic: الفرقة 23).[13] The Syrian National Army faction of the group in northern Aleppo was disbanded after its leadership was attacked by the Levant Front in August 2020, with its other members were transferred to other groups under the SNA's 3rd Legion.[10]