Anti-Terrorism Force
| Anti-Terrorism Force[1] | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | Samer Hakim[2] |
| Dates of operation | July 2021[3]–June 2022[2] |
| Dissolved | June 2022 |
| Country | Syria |
| Active regions | Suwayda Governorate[4] |
| Allies | Revolutionary Commando Army[5] |
| Opponents | National Defense Forces[6] Hezbollah Syrian Arab Army Druze fighters Bedouin fighters[5] Raji Falhout group[7] |
| Battles and wars | |
The Anti-Terrorism Force was a Druze militia that was affiliated with the Syrian Brigade Party.
Activities
[edit]There were clashes between the Raji Falhout group and other groups, following the seizure of a seller and a university student in September 2021, in an attempt by the Raji Falhout group to force the release of a member of Military Intelligence who had been taken by the Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF).[5] A member of the Falhout group was captured by the ATF and his confession was aired on Facebook.[7]
The group clashed with members of the National Defence Forces in September 2021.[3]
Around 40 members of the group were attacked by over 500 members of various regime-aligned militias, including Hezbollah, as well as Druze and Bedouin fighters[5] on 8 June 2022.[2] Some members of the group unsuccessfully attempted to reach the American Al-Tanf base, and were ambushed.[5]
The groups leader, Samer Hakim, was besieged in the village of Imtan, where he "refused to surrender" and shot himself.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ Khaled al-Jeratli (18 August 2021). "Would rising tension in As-Suwayda lead to autonomy?". Enab Baladi. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ a b c Walid Al Nofal (15 June 2022). "In Suwayda, 'organized gangs' serve as an arm of Damascus and violence threatens to ignite interfamilial conflicts". Syria Direct. Translated by Mateo Nelson. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Who Is Behind Funding the 'Counter-Terrorism Forces' in Suwayda, Syria?". Alestiklal. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ Mohamed Hardan (18 July 2021). "New Druze political party, military faction take shape in Suwayda". Al Monitor. Archived from the original on 18 July 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Ali Eid; Khaled al-Jeratli; Hassan Ibrahim (5 July 2022). ""Wait for the next": Iran warns As-Suwayda residents as 'next' can exceed reprisals". Enab Baladi. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ Ali Darwish; Khaled Jar'atli; Hussam al-Mahmoud; Rayan al-Atrash (3 October 2021). "Multiple conflicting forces on the ground portend possible clash in Syria's As-Suwayda". Enab Baladi. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ a b Ali Eid; Khaled al-Jeratli; Hassan Ibrahim (7 October 2021). "Rise in kidnappings sparks fear among people of As-Suwayda". Enab Baladi. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ "Commander of "Anti-terrorist Force" Killed in Suweida". Al-Souria Net. The Syrian Observer. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2025.