The Union of Euphrates Jarabulus Battalions (Arabic: تجمع كتائب الفرات جرابلس; Tajamu Kata'ib Furat Jarabulus) is a Syrian rebel group affiliated with the Free Syrian Army and later the Syrian Democratic Forces which operates in northern Syria. Formed in mid-2013, the group has been led by several members of the influential al-Jader family from the town of Jarabulus and the nearby town of Karkamış in Turkey.[2]
| Union of Euphrates Jarabulus Battalions | |
|---|---|
| تجمع كتائب الفرات جرابلس Tajamu Kata'ib Furat Jarabulus | |
 Euphrates Jarabulus Battalions insignia | |
| Leaders | |
| Dates of operation | 2013—present |
| Group(s) |
|
| Headquarters | Manbij, Aleppo Governorate |
| Active regions | Aleppo Governorate |
| Ideology | Democracy[3] |
| Part of | |
| Allies | |
| Opponents | |
| Battles and wars | Syrian Civil War |
History
editThe al-Tawhid Brigade participated in the Battle of Aleppo in late 2012 which led to the capture of the Aleppo Infantry School and the field commander, Colonel Yusuf al-Jader (nom de guerre Abu Furat al-Jarabulusi), was killed in action during the battle in December 2012.[5]
In early 2013, the Union of Battalions of Martyr Colonel Abu Furat was formed in Jarabulus. In June 2013, clashes erupted in the town between the group and the al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which resulted in ISIL taking full control of Jarabulus.[6] After the capture of Jarabulus by ISIL, the Euphrates Jarabulus Battalions moved its headquarters to the town of Zur Maghar, which is controlled by the YPG. The group attempted to reenter Jarabulus with other FSA factions but they were repelled by ISIL which killed dozens of their fighters. It then formed an alliance with the YPG in the Kobane Canton.[3] Some members regrouped into the Jarabulus Brigade, a small independent faction.[7]
After a battle between al-Tawhid Brigade and ISIL in Jarabulus, 6 members of the Jader family, among dozens of dissenters, were beheaded by ISIL in January 2014.[8] In February 2014, the Martyr Abu Furat Battalions as part of the Euphrates Islamic Liberation Front captured several villages near Manbij and Jarabulus from ISIL.[4]
In late 2014, the Union of Euphrates Jarabulus Battalions joined Euphrates Volcano. The Jarabulus Brigade initially participated in the defence of the Siege of Kobane but later left the city.[7] In November 2015, the group joined the Syrian Democratic Forces.[3]
In late 2016, just after the Manbij offensive which captured the city of Manbij from ISIL and before the Operation Euphrates Shield, the commander of Furat Jarabulus and the newly-formed Jarabulus Military Council, Abdul Sattar al-Jader was assassinated by sniper fire from unknown assailants.[1] Ahmed al-Jader replaced his post as commander amid heavy clashes between the JMC and rival Syrian rebels and the Turkish Armed Forces.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b "Kurds accuse Turkish intelligence of assassinating military leader in Syria's Jarabulus". ARA News. 24 August 2016. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
- ^ a b c "Clashes break out between Turkish-backed rebels and Syrian Democratic Forces". ARA News. 25 August 2016. Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
- ^ a b c "Who are the Euphrates Jarabulus Battalions?". Hawar News Agency. 22 November 2015. Archived from the original on 25 November 2015.
- ^ a b "The new face of the Syrian rebellion". The Arab Chronicle. Archived from the original on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ "Remembering Abu Furat". Darth Nader. 15 December 2012. Archived from the original on 19 December 2012.
- ^ Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (18 July 2013). "The Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham Expands Into Rural Northern Syria". Syria Comment.
- ^ a b Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi (21 November 2014). "The Factions of Kobani (Ayn al-Arab)". Syria Comment.
- ^ "Al-Qaeda slaughters on Syria's killing fields". Al-Jazeera. 22 January 2016.