Liwa Thuwar al-Raqqa

Raqqa Revolutionaries Brigade
Liwa Thūwwār ar-Raqqah
لواء ثوار الرقة
Leaders
  • Ahmad al-Othman bin Alloush ("Abu Issa al-Raqqawi")[1][2]
  • Abu Saif[3]
  • Abu Dahash[4]
  • Capt. Abu Jasim al-Shammari[5]
  • Abdullah al-Helu[6]
  • Abu Diab [7]
Dates of operationSeptember 2012 – June 2018[8]
Group(s)
  • Free Women of Raqqa Battalion[9]

Former:

HeadquartersAyn Issa
Active regionsRaqqa Governorate[15]
and Aleppo Governorate,[3]
IdeologySunni Islamism (2012–14)[14]
Democracy (since 2014)[14]
Size+800 (self-claim, late 2015)[16]
Part of
Allies
Opponents
Battles and warsSyrian Civil War

Liwa Thuwar al-Raqqa (Arabic: لواء ثوار الرقة, romanized: Liwā' Thūwwār ar-Raqqah, lit.'Raqqa Revolutionaries' Brigade') was a rebel group in the Syrian Civil War.[22] It was formed in September 2012 in the Raqqa Governorate. Aligned with jihadist factions for its first years, at the end of 2015, it joined the Syrian Democratic Forces. During an interview by Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi in 2015, Liwa Thuwar al-Raqqa's media director stated that the group wants a "civil democratic state". He also claimed that the group had no relations with the Syrian National Coalition based in Turkey.[14]

Between the end of 2015 and mid-2017, the group was known as Jabhat Thuwar al-Raqqa (Arabic: جبهة ثوار الرقة, romanizedJabhat Thūwwār ar-Raqqah), or the Front of Raqqa Revolutionaries.

  1. ^ "Learn about "Abu Issa Thawar al-Raqqa," the most popular Kurdish ally and first advocate". Watan FM. 27 June 2015. Archived from the original on 24 July 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Islamic State foiled in attempt to kidnap Syrian rebel leader in Turkey". The Guardian. 19 October 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  3. ^ a b c "FSA fighting alongside Kobane Kurds". NOW. 9 October 2014. Archived from the original on 17 October 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  4. ^ "Kobane battles reunified Kurds and Arabs: Rebel leader". ARA News. 8 November 2014. Archived from the original on 8 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  5. ^ ""Intentionally" fights Arab allies .. and "revolutionaries tenderness" reveal planned". Baladi News. 27 December 2016. Archived from the original on 21 April 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  6. ^ "Thuwar #Raqqa imposes a condition to return to the "Euphrates Wrath"". El-Dorar al-Shamia. 20 May 2017. Archived from the original on 2 June 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Leader of Raqqa Rebels brigade killed". ARA News. 15 May 2014. Archived from the original on 29 July 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  8. ^ Al Nofal, Walid; Ibrahim, Mohammad Abdulssattar (16 May 2019). "Protests in Deir e-Zor reveal divisions between locals of the Eastern Euphrates and the Autonomous Administration". Syria Direct. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  9. ^ Antonopoulos, Paul (20 October 2016). "Video: Thuwar Raqqa announce a women's battalion to fight ISIS". al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 17 September 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  10. ^ "Syrian Rebellion Obs on Twitter".
  11. ^ a b "Who is taking part in Ghadab al-Firat campaign?". Hawar News Agency. Archived from the original on 2016-11-09. Retrieved 2016-11-06.
  12. ^ a b "Syrian Rebellion Obs on Twitter".
  13. ^ "Syrian Civil War factions".
  14. ^ a b c d e f g Al-Tamimi, Aymenn Jawad (14 September 2015). "Liwa Thuwar al-Raqqa: History, analysis & interview". Syria Comment. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  15. ^ Simon, Alex (5 March 2014). "Al-Tamimi: ISIS claiming control in Yarmouk 'publicity stunt'". Syria Direct. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  16. ^ Wladimir van Wilgenburg (20 October 2015). "Syrian Kurds look to take Raqqa with new Arab force as allies". Middle East Eye.
  17. ^ "Syrian Civil War factions".
  18. ^ "YPG and FSA form a joint military chamber to combat ISIS in Syria". ARA News. 12 September 2014. Archived from the original on 14 October 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  19. ^ a b "Syria rebels struggle for control over ISIL-held Raqqa". ARA News. 13 May 2014. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  20. ^ "A new dialogue and collaboration in northern Syria between kurds and rebels". The Arab Chronicle. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  21. ^ "#Syria: Liwa Thuwar #Raqqa (#FSA) rebels driving through Tall Abyad today, being cheered on by residents who stayed". Live UA Map. 16 June 2015.
  22. ^ Al-Tamimi, Aymenn Jawad (29 April 2014). "Key updates on Albukamal (Abu Kamal)". Brown Moses Blog. Retrieved 21 May 2014.