Jaysh al-Muwahhideen | |
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Participant in the Syrian Civil War | |
Jaysh al-Muwahhideen logo Druze flag used by Jaysh al-Muwahhideen |
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Active | 2013 – present |
Ideology | Protects and upholds the interests and rights of the Druze sect in Syria |
Leaders | Abu Ismail Ibrahim Al-Tamimi |
Area of operations | Aleppo Governorate, As-Suwayda Governorate, Deraa Governorate, Damascus Governorate |
Allies |
Syrian Armed Forces Hezbollah al-Abbas brigade Ba'ath Brigades Popular Committees |
Opponents |
Free Syrian Army Islamic Front Al-Nusra Front |
Battles and wars |
Syrian Civil War Daraa and As-Suwayda offensive (June 2015) Battle of Dama |
The Jaysh al-Muwahhideen or Jaysh Abu Ibrahim (Arabic: جيش الموحدين) is a Druze militant group in Syria. Their name means "Army of Monotheists" or "Army of Unitarians". The group mainly operates in the Suwayda, Deraa, Damascus and other regions where the Druze are concentrated and announced their formation in the beginning of 2013. The leadership describes the group as Unitarian Druze engaging in defensive jihad, but has also been described as supporters of Bashar al-Assad and his government. It operates largely in Jabal al-Arab or Mountain of the Arabs, also known as Jabal ad-Druze, a mountainous area of Suwayda governorate as well as the Jabal al-Sheikh area in Damascus governorate, areas primarily inhabited by Druze. The group was set up in response to attacks on Druze civilians. The group commemorates anti-colonial figures such as Sultan al-Atrash, who was a prominent Arab Druze chieftain.