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Jaych al-Charkiya (Arabic: جيش الشرقية, English: Army of the East) is a rebel group that was formed in 2017 during the Syrian Civil War. The group is active in the Aleppo Governorate.
| Jaych al-Charkiya | |
|---|---|
| جيش الشرقية | |
 Logo of Jaych al-Charkiya | |
| Military leader | Hussein Hamadi |
| Dates of operation | 23 November 2017 - present |
| Country |  Syria |
| Motives | Overthrow of the Baathist regime of Bashar al-Assad |
| Active regions | Aleppo Governorate |
| Ideology | Sunni Islam, Syrian nationalism |
| Status | Active |
| Size | ~1,000 militants |
| Battles and wars | |
History
edit
Jaych al-Charkiya announced its formation through a press release on November 23, 2017. It is made up of fighters from eastern Syria, from the governorates of Deir ez-Zor, Hassaké and Raqqa, but expelled from these territories by the Islamic State in 2014. Its commander is Hussein Hamadi. Shortly after the group's formation, it declared having 1,000 men under its command, from fifteen separate factions. Some fighters come from Ahrar al-Charkiya, Ahrar al-Sham and the Authenticity and Development Front.[1][2]
Supported by Turkey, which notably supplied it with armored personnel carriers, Jaych al-Charkiya was integrated into the Syrian National Army and participated in the Battle of Afrin in 2018, where it fought on the Jindires front to the south. After the battle, the group remained based in this region. Like many other rebel groups in Afrin, Jaych al-Charkiya has been accused of several kidnappings and attacks in the region.[1][2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Alexander McKeever, Les restes de l’opposition de Deir ez-Zor : luttes internes et controverses au nord d’Alep, Bellingcat, 15 août 2019.
- ^ a b Syrian Rebel Brigades Participating in the Operation Olive Branch 18 January 2018, Suriye Gündemi, 18 février 2018.