Five Syrian armed opposition groups unite as Syrian Liberation Front

Five military groups in northern Syria operating under the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) joined forces on Thursday as the Syrian Liberation Front. 

The group comprises around 20,000 soldiers and is made up of the Hamza Division, Mutasim Division and Sultan Suleyman Shah Division as well as the 20th Division and North Falcons Brigade, Yeni Safak reported. 

The five divisions announced that they had merged during a ceremony held in the centre of Al-Bab district and that they would operate alongside the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF).

The newly formed military force will continue operations against terror groups and will fulfil its duties under the umbrella of the SNA, Mutasim Abbas, the general commander of the newly formed military body said.

The SNA formed as 40 factions of armed opposition groups in 2017 across Syria. It is made up of around 70,000 soldiers and is supported by Turkey.

Syria has been locked in civil war since early 2011, when President Bashar al-Assad’s regime cracked down on pro-democracy protesters. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have since been killed and more than 10 million displaced.