Saber Safar Fares (Arabic: صابر صفر فارس) is a Free Syrian Army colonel, who defected from the Syrian Armed Forces to the FSA in 2013. He was the founder and commander of the Hamza Division[2] and also holds the position of overall commander in the First Army of the Southern Front since 1 January 2015.[3] As of late 2015, he was reportedly the highest ranking FSA officer in southern Syria.[1]

Saber Safar
Native name
صابر صفر فارس
Born1967 (age 56–57)
Abtaa, Syria
Allegiance Syria (until 2013)
Syrian opposition Syrian opposition (2013–present)
Service / branch Syrian Arab Air Force (until 2013)[1]

Syrian opposition Free Syrian Army[2]

Rank Colonel[2]
Unit2nd Air Force Battalion (until 2013)[1]

First Army[3][2]

CommandsCommander-in-chief of the 1st Army (2015)
Battles / warsSyrian civil war

History

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In August 2015, Saber Safar survived an assassination attempt in the 1st Army headquarters in the town of Abtaa.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "FSA OurChoice colonel Saber Safar". RFS Media Office. 16 November 2015. Archived from the original on 18 May 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d "Three important Free Syrian Army factions decided, at this 2015 new year, to create the First Army". SRO. 1 January 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  3. ^ a b "More than 10.000 Free Syrian Army fighters announce the formation of the "First Army" in southern Syria". Shaam Times. 1 January 2015. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  4. ^ "Mystery assassinations target Daraa rebels". Now News. 18 August 2015. Archived from the original on 10 May 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2017.