US-backed faction in Syria changes name, motto after absorbing new factions
DARAA, Syria (North Press) – On Tuesday, Colonel Muhammad Farid al-Qassem, leader of Maghaweir al-Thowra, said absorbing new factions is a main reason behind changing the name of the faction.
On Monday, the name of the faction positioned in al-Tanf base with the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS was changed to “Free Army of Syria,” following the dismissal of the former leader Muhanad al-Tala by the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS early in October.
The Maghaweir al-Thowra (Revolutionary Commando Army) is a US-backed opposition group that operates in southern Syria, specifically in the vicinity of al-Tanf military base close to the Jordan- Iraq border.
It is supported logistically and financially by the Global Coalition that seeks to prevent Iranian infiltration [into south Syria] in the vicinity of the border with Israel and Jordan.
Abdulrazzaq al-Mihaya, head of the Media Office of the Free Army of Syria told North Press that the issue of changing the name was discussed in a periodical meeting between the faction’s leadership and the Global Coalition in al-Tanf base.
Al-Mihaya added changing the name does not imply any alterations to the faction’s mission or structure at this current time at least.
On September 26, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) dismissed al-Tala to be replaced by al-Qassem.
Al-Qassem is a former captain who joined the armed opposition after defecting from the government forces and later formed the al-Qaryatayn Martyrs Brigade in al-Tanf with support from the US.