The Southern Front () was a Syrian rebel alliance consisting of 54 or 58

Syrian opposition Syrians () are the majority inhabitants of Syria, indigenous to the Levant, most of whom have Arabic, especially its Levantine and Mesopotamian dialects, as a mother tongue. The cultural and linguistic heritage of the Syrian people is a blend ...

factions affiliated with the

Free Syrian Army The Free Syrian Army (FSA; ) is a Big tent, big-tent coalition of decentralized Syrian opposition (2011–2024), Syrian opposition rebel groups in the Syrian civil war founded on 29 July 2011 by Colonel Riad al-Asaad and six officers who defe ...

, established on 13 February 2014 in southern

Syria Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in West Asia located in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Levant. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to Syria–Turkey border, the north, Iraq to Iraq–Syria border, t ...

. By June 2015, the Southern Front controlled about 70 percent of

Daraa Governorate Daraa Governorate ( / ALA-LC: ') is one of the fourteen Governorates of Syria, governorates (provinces) of Syria. It is situated in the south-west of the country and covers an area of 2594 km2. It is bordered by Jordan to the south, Quneitra G ...

, according to the

International Institute for Strategic Studies The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) is an international research institute or think tank focusing on defence and security issues. Since 1997, its headquarters have been at Arundel House in London. It has offices on four co ...

; by 2018, the front was defunct, with most of its fighters either reintegrating into the Syrian Army or fleeing to other FSA held lands in the north. Claims have been made by the Southern Front itself, and by media in Britain, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates, that the Southern Front was funded by the US and its allies, possibly through a US-led Military Operations Center (MOC) based in

Amman Amman ( , ; , ) is the capital and the largest city of Jordan, and the country's economic, political, and cultural center. With a population of four million as of 2021, Amman is Jordan's primate city and is the largest city in the Levant ...

Jordan Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is a country in the Southern Levant region of West Asia. Jordan is bordered by Syria to the north, Iraq to the east, Saudi Arabia to the south, and Israel and the occupied Palestinian ter ...

. Since its formation, rebels said field operation rooms have been added inside Syria to improve coordination between units. The coalition was described by Western officials as "the best organized of the mainstream opposition". The constituent groups ranged from secularist groups to moderate religious groups, and the Southern front has been described as a "non-hardline Islamist rebel group" that rejects extremism.

Nature of the front

The Southern Front is an alliance of over 50 rebel groups, ranging from secularist to moderately religious. Bashar al-Zoubi, head of the Yarmouk Army, said to the BBC in 2014 that the groups or factions of the Southern Front are militarily coordinated by a moving command center with a ''unified leadership'' but with no overall commander and ''no centralised command''—which is contradictory.Cody Roch
Syrian Opposition Factions in the Syrian Civil War
Bellingcat, 13 August 2016 The

Carter Center The Carter Center is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization founded in 1982 by former U.S. president Jimmy Carter. He and his wife Rosalynn Carter partnered with Emory University after his defeat in the 1980 United States presidential ele ...

, a private organization in the U.S. promoting human rights globally, in February 2015 also described the Southern Front as a loose coalition of self-described moderate armed groups without leadership or organizational structure, that agreed on the name ‘Southern Front’ to receive support from the inter-governmental Friends of Syria through the southern MOC ("Military Operations Center") in Amman. The relationship between the Southern Front and the Syrian armed rebel group

(FSA) has been described differently by different news sources. Remarks of news sources about such relation are in some cases more or less compatible, in other cases incompatible. Some statements in chronological order: #''The Syrian Observer'' on 14 February 2014 stated that 49 rebel groups in southern Syria had announced in a statement the establishment of ‘The Southern Front’ and suggested vaguely that Southern Front was ''affiliated with FSA''. # The

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP) is a nonpartisan international affairs think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C., with operations in Europe, South Asia, East Asia, and the Middle East, as well as the United States. Foun ...

mentioned on 21 March 2014 that the ‘ Omari Brigades’, ''one of the FSA units from 2011'', became a member faction of ' Syrian Revolutionaries Front' (created in December 2013) which was in mid-February 2014 one of the 49 factions that banded together as the Southern Front signing a statement. # ''

The Huffington Post ''HuffPost'' (''The Huffington Post'' until 2017, itself often abbreviated as ''HPo'') is an American progressive news website, with localized and international editions. The site offers news, satire, blogs, and original content, and covers p ...

'' stated on 15 May 2014 that a loose coalition of about 50 rebel units ''including the largest FSA units in southern Syria'' in February 2014 had announced the establishment of the Southern Front. # ''

The National Interest ''The National Interest'' (''TNI'') is an American bimonthly international relations magazine edited by American journalist Jacob Heilbrunn and published by the Center for the National Interest, a public policy think tank based in Washington, ...

'' stated on 6 July 2015 that the Southern Front is ''a coalition of Free Syrian Army brigades'', which had made significant gains in

.‘Syria’s last best hope: the Southern Front’
''

'', 6 July 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2016. # Dutch newspaper ''

NRC Handelsblad ''NRC'', previously called ' (), is a daily morning newspaper published in the Netherlands by Mediahuis NRC. It is widely regarded as a newspaper of record in the country. History was first published on 1 October 1970 after a merger of the Amst ...

'' wrote on 10 October 2015: "Saudi Arabia is increasing its weapons deliveries to Syrian rebels. That concerns three ''different groups'': Jaish al-Fatah, the ''Free Syrian Army, and the Southern Front''." # The ''

International Business Times The ''International Business Times'' is an American online newspaper that publishes five national editions in four languages. The publication, sometimes called ''IBTimes'' or ''IBT'', offers news, opinion and editorial commentary on business and ...

'' on 12 March 2016 made mention of a ‘Southern Front’ which it describes as a group of Syrian opposition groups ''formerly members of FSA'', focusing primarily on the Daraa and Quneitra governorates.‘US launches rockets into southern Syria for first time’
''

'', 12 March 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2016.

History

Formation

In mid-February 2014, according to a Syrian rebel brigade officer, the Military Operations Command (MOC) in

designed for channeling Western and Gulf aid to moderate rebel forces in southern Syria convened a meeting with leaders of nearly 50 southern rebel groups and directed them to create a new umbrella coalition. This resulted in the "Southern Front" being formed on 13 February 2014. The formation of the front and its backing by Western forces challenged

al-Nusra Al-Nusra Front or Jabhat al-Nusra or Jabhat Nusrat Ahl al-Sham, also known as Front for the Conquest of the Levant, and also later known as Jabhat Fatah al-Sham was a Salafi-jihadist organization that fought against Ba'athist Syria, Ba'athist ...

's military and political success in the region, though Southern Front units continued to cooperate with al-Nusra forces. The Southern Front quickly became the largest rebel fighter umbrella organization in Southern Syria, comprising 25–30,000 fighters, the great majority of the South's rebel groups and manpower.

Initial growth

On 13 November 2014, it was reported that 15 factions of the Southern Front drew up a political program as an alternative to the exile-led opposition in Turkey, in which they planned to turn the Southern Front into a civilian security force. At the same time a provincial council was established. This political program was intended to have "broad appeal among Syrian civilians and to undercut support for more extreme interpretations of Islam that has been spreading". Around that time, almost 40 small rebel groups joined the First Corps in the south. On 27 December 2014, the 18 March Division, Yarmouk Army, Fallujah of Houran Brigade and Lions of Sunna Brigade merged under the command structure of the Hawks of the South coalition to strengthen the Southern Front. On 1 January 2015, the Hamza Division, Syria Revolutionaries Front (SRF) southern command and 1st Artillery Regiment merged under the command structure of the First Army. As of February 2015, Southern Front operations were executed through seven 'Southern Front operation rooms'. On 15 May 2015, the Southern Front unified under one military council, chaired by 7 senior members. On 1 June 2015, the Southern Front paraded for the graduation of one thousand new members. In June 2015, the SF launched Operation Southern Storm to take Deraa city's northern and eastern districts from government control. The operation was largely unsuccessful.

Decline from late 2015

After Operation Southern Storm, SF declined in size and lost some of its support from the MOC. In late 2016, 58 groups were re-organized around four of the largest units with close ties to the MOC: Youth of Sunnah Brigade, Yarmouk Army, 24th Infantry Division and Amoud Houran Division. On 18 June 2018, the Southern Front was hit by " Operation Basalt", a pro-government offensive in Daraa and Quneitra province. By 23 July the forces of the Southern Front were fully defeated and lost all territory that was under their control. Surrendering fighters agreed to either reconciliation deals or were relocated to Idlib.

Aftermath

Many of the "reconciled" fighters went on to participate in the

Daraa insurgency The Daraa insurgency was a conflict waged against the Syrian government and allies by various anti-government forces in Daraa Governorate as part of the Syrian civil war. Insurgent activity began in late 2018, but drastically increased the fol ...

, starting on 23 November 2018 (including the March 2020 Daraa clashes). The rebranded Youth of Sunna Forces, known as the 8th Brigade, formed part of the Southern Operations Room in December 2024 and participated in the Fall of Damascus that same month.

Support and funding

General Ibrahim Jbawi, spokesperson for the Southern Front, stated in November 2014 that his group received money and weapons from the US, France, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Activists said that Jordan also facilitated the Southern Front by allowing them to cross freely to and from Jordan. The

Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. The city is the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District, the capital city of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the UAE's List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, second-most popu ...

(

United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates (UAE), or simply the Emirates, is a country in West Asia, in the Middle East, at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a Federal monarchy, federal elective monarchy made up of Emirates of the United Arab E ...

) based newspaper '' The National'' stated in November 2014 that the Military Operations Command center (MOC) in

, staffed by "western and Arab military officials",‘Syrian rebels get arms and advice through secret command center in Amman’
'' The National'', 29 December 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2016. had sent out food baskets to six rebel factions in southern Syria, presumably members of the Southern Front. The BBC, not revealing its sources, claimed in December 2014 that the Southern Front was "backed" through the Military Operations Center in Jordan, "a logistics and supply hub" run by the US with European and Arab allies. The

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany, the country of the Germans and German things **Germania (Roman era) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizenship in Germany, see also Ge ...

Heinrich Böll Foundation claimed in 2015 that the Southern Front was being "funded" by a Military Operations Center (MOC) in

which is run by "the US and its allies", but did not specify or corroborate what that "funding" implied. No American official has yet admitted to the US supporting the Southern Front. The MOC has reportedly been inactive since 2017. The National also reported that Southern Front members participating in the fight against the Syrian government receive $50–$100 per month while those who fight against ISIL receive $100–$250 per month from the MOC. However, the MOC threatened to cut funds unless the SF launched an offensive against ISIL.

Leadership

* Brig. Gen. Bashar al-Zoubi
(former overall Leader) * Brig. Gen. Ziad Fahd
(Deputy Chief of Staff) * Lt. Col. Majid al-Sayid Ahmed
(Head of the Operations Department) * Col. Saber Safar
(Member of the Military Council) * Col. Bakur Salim al-Salim
(Member of the Military Council) * Col. Khaled al-Nabulsi
(Member of the Military Council) * Maj. Hassam Ibrahim
(Member of the Military Council) * Capt. Said Nakresh
(Member of the Military Council) * Ahmad al-Awda
(Member of the Military Council) * Samer al-Haboush
(Member of the Military Council) * Maj. Issam Rayes
(Spokesperson)

Military activities

Overview

On 25 March 2015, the Southern Front captured the town of Bosra after a 3-day long battle. On 1 April 2015, the Southern Front captured the Nasib border crossing, the last government-controlled border crossing into Jordan. After the Southern Front's strategic victory at the capture of Brigade 52 in early June 2015, an analyst from the Institute for Strategic Studies stated that "The Southern Front is now showing itself as an increasingly effective buffer against Islamist rebels as well as an effective means for applying pressure on the Assad regime", and Southern Front spokesman Issam al-Reis stated that "We have most of Daraa liberated, our lines of defense behind us are solid, and now we can start the operation toward Damascus and the highway leading to it". On 17 June 2015, the Southern Front launched an offensive to take all of Quneitra province. On 25 June 2015, the Southern Front announced " Southern Storm", an offensive to capture Daraa city, where the Syrian Revolution began in 2012. By mid-August the offensive had failed to make significant advances, but the government had responded by increasing attacks on civilian neighborhoods, killing dozens of civilians, leading to public demonstrations against the Southern Front's failed strategy. An analysis by the Heinrich Böll Foundation suggested that the Southern Front had failed to receive significant support from the Military Operations Center in Jordan. In July and August 2016, more than 200 rebels from the Southern Front defected to Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, successor to al-Nusra Front, and Ahrar al-Sham due to better pay and more willingness to fight government forces. In the second half of 2016, Southern Front member groups were involved in failed operations against ISIS, those being the 2016 Abu Kamal offensive and the Eastern Qalamoun 2016 offensive. On 12 February 2017, Free Syrian Army groups (Southern Front and the Army of Free Tribes),

Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) was a Sunni Islamist political organisation and paramilitary group involved in the Syrian civil war. It was formed on 28January 2017 as a merger between several armed groups: Jaysh al-Ahrar (an Ahrar al-Sham facti ...

, Ahrar al-Sham,

Jaysh al-Islam Jaysh al-Islam (, meaning ''Army of Islam''), formerly known as Liwa al-Islam (, Brigade of Islam), is a coalition of Islamist rebel units involved in the Syrian Civil War. The group was part of the Free Syrian Army's Supreme Military Counc ...

, Jabhat Ansar al-Islam, and

Alwiya al-Furqan Alwiya al-Furqan (, '' Criterion Brigades'') is an independent Islamist rebel group involved in the Syrian Civil War. It claimed to be the largest Islamist rebel faction that operated in the eastern Quneitra Governorate and Damascus. The grou ...

- working together as part of the Unified Ranks operations room - launched an offensive in Daraa. A week into the first phase of the offensive, ISIL also started an offensive against the Daraa-based rebels, lasting a week and resulting in an ISIL victory. Clashes between the Southern Front-led rebels and ISIL continued for the next few months. After three phases, the rebels' Daraa offensive concluded on 6 June, resulting in a partial rebel victory. The following day, the government launched a counter-offensive. On 23 June, pro-government media reported that an attempt at a reconciliation deal fell apart, thus the Syrian Army resumed their offensive in the Palestinian Camp district, accompanied by airstrikes. The operation ended on the same day, with the government reportedly capturing at least 50% of the Daraa Refugee Camp From 29 December 2016 to 30 April 2017, a myriad of groups that allegedly included

launched a multi-phase operation in the Eastern

Qalamoun Mountains The Qalamoun Mountains () are the northeastern portion of the Anti-Lebanon Mountains, and they are northeast of the Syrian capital Damascus. They run from Barada River Valley in the southwest to the city of Hisyah in the northeast. Western Q ...

and the

Syrian Desert The Syrian Desert ( ''Bādiyat Ash-Shām''), also known as the North Arabian Desert, the Jordanian steppe, or the Badiya, is a region of desert, semi-desert, and steppe, covering about of West Asia, including parts of northern Saudi Arabia, ea ...

to expel the

Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant The Islamic State (IS), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Daesh, is a transnational Salafi jihadist organization and unrecognized quasi-state. IS occupied signi ...

from the desert in southern Syria and to open a supply route between two rebel-held areas. The operation was successful in pushing back ISIL, though they were unable to connect the two rebel-held areas due to heavy resistance from ISIS. During the operation, the government was also able to take territory from ISIL. On 7 May, the government launched their desert campaign that initially started along the highway from

Damascus Damascus ( , ; ) is the capital and List of largest cities in the Levant region by population, largest city of Syria. It is the oldest capital in the world and, according to some, the fourth Holiest sites in Islam, holiest city in Islam. Kno ...

to the border with

Iraq Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to Iraq–Saudi Arabia border, the south, Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq border, the east, the Persian Gulf and ...

against rebel forces. Its first intended goal was to capture both the highway and the al-Tanf border crossing, thus securing the Damascus countryside from a potential rebel attack, later, multiple other fronts were opened as part of the operation throughout the desert, as well as operation "Grand Dawn" against

ISIL The Islamic State (IS), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Daesh, is a transnational Salafi jihadist organization and unrecognized quasi-state. IS occupied signif ...

to reopen the Damascus-Palmyra highway and prepare for an offensive towards

Deir ez-Zor Deir ez-Zor () is the largest city in eastern Syria and the seventh largest in the country. Located on the banks of the Euphrates to the northeast of the capital Damascus, Deir ez-Zor is the capital of the Deir ez-Zor Governorate. In the 2018 ...

. The operation resulted in the Syrian Army encircling the rebel-held Eastern Qalamoun pocket and at the same time erasing the front line between rebel forces and ISIL in the An-Tanf area. On 24 June 2017, Tahrir al-Sham, FSA groups, and other rebels reportedly established the Army of

Muhammad Muhammad (8 June 632 CE) was an Arab religious and political leader and the founder of Islam. Muhammad in Islam, According to Islam, he was a prophet who was divinely inspired to preach and confirm the tawhid, monotheistic teachings of A ...

operations room and launched a new Quneitra offensive, targeting the town of Madinat al-Baath, also known as Baath City.Israel strikes Syrian regime forces as Netanyahu visits illegally occupied Golan Heights
Al-Araby, 29 June 2017Weekly Conflict Summary June 22-28, 2017

The offensive lasted a week, resulting in a government victory, reversing all rebel gains during the offensive. During the fighting, two stray artillery rounds hit the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, prompting Israeli forces to target the Syrian military artillery position which according to them was the source of the firing. On 3 July 2017, a four-day ceasefire was announced by the government, in opposition-held southern Syria. As a precursor to Astana 5 peace talks, on 9 July 2017 at 0900 GMT, an American-Russian-Jordanian brokered ceasefire commenced, though on 14 July, opposition groups participating in the Quneitra offensive rejected the ceasefire, with clashes resuming across Southern Syria. Besides minor violations from all sides involved, as of 15 July, the ceasefire as held. The Southern Front boycotted these talks. Many of the "reconciled" fighters have gone on to participate in the

, starting on 23 November 2018 (including the March 2020 Daraa clashes).

List of battles

Member groups

* Revolutionary Army ** Yarmouk Army *** United Sham Front ** Mu'tazz Billah Brigade ** Muhajireen and Ansar Brigade **

Hasan ibn Ali Hasan ibn Ali (; 2 April 670) was an Alids, Alid political and religious leader. The eldest son of Ali and Fatima and a grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, Hasan briefly ruled as Rashidun caliphate, Rashidun caliph from January 661 unt ...

Brigade ** Dawn of Islam Division ** Free Nawa Forces *** Free Nawa Brigade *** Bani Umayya Brigade *** Farouq Brigade *** Omar Mukhtar Brigade *** Southern Company *** Gaza Houran Brigade *** Clear Victory Brigade *** Muhammad the Conqueror Brigade *** Soldiers of Islam Brigade *** Martyr Ahmad al-Awad Brigade *** Omar ibn al-Khattab Brigade *** Lions of the South Brigade *** Technical Battalion * Alliance of Southern Forces ** Omari Brigades ** 18 March Division *** Martyr Houran *** Liberation of Houran *** Engineering and Rocket Battalion ** Salvation Army *** Free Nawa Division **** 8th Infantry Division *** Martyr Jamil Abu Zain Sharaf Division *** Special Task Force Division ** Division of Decisiveness *** Houran Column Division *** Subject of Islam Brigade *** Martyrs of Freedom Division ** Division of Righteousness ** 46th Infantry Division *** 24th Infantry Division *** 69th Special Forces Division **** Free Men of Inkhil Brigade **** Murabitun Brigade **** Lions of Islam Brigade **** Fath al-Mubin Brigade *** Al-Bayt Brigade ** 1st Special Tasks Brigade ** Brigade of Dignity * Southern Alliance ** Syria Revolutionaries Front *** 1st Infantry Division **** 1st Infantry Gathering **** Gathering of Righteousness ***** Brigade of Two Holy Mosques **** Union of the Unity of the Nation **** Saladin Brigades **** Tank Brigade *** 63rd Southern Division **** Dawn of the Levant Union **** Abu Dujana Brigades **** Jafar al-Tayyar Brigade **** Lions of Mercy Brigade **** Free Yarmouk Brigade **** Hazm Brigade **** Mercy Brigade **** Southern Martyrs Brigade **** Martyr Abdul Rahim Samour Brigade **** Special Tasks Brigade *** Coming Victory Brigade *** 7th Division *** Riyad al-Salehin Battalions of Damascus *** Special Assignments Regiment of Damascus *** Helpers Brigades *** Southern Swords Division *** Martyr Captain Abu Hamza al-Naimi Union * 406th Infantry Division * Unity of the Nation Brigade * Hamza Division ** Houran Mujahideen Brigade ** Engineering Battalion * Lions of Sunna Brigade * First Corps ** 8th Infantry Brigade ** 19th Infantry Brigade ** 21st Infantry Division ** 55th Infantry Brigade ** 99th Infantry Division ** Victory Division ** Dawn of Liberation Division ** Knights of Freedom Division ** Oasifat Free South Division ** Sajeel Division ** Company of Dignity Division ** Harra Martyrs Brigade * 1st Artillery Regiment * Southern Brigades ** Al Mukhtar Brigade ** Descendants of Ibn al-Walid Brigade ** Free Daraa Brigade ** Supporters of the Sunna Brigade ** Farouq Mujahideen Brigade ** Al-Amryn al-Islami Brigade ** Northern Commandos Brigade ** Qastat of Muslims Brigade ** Soldiers of Islam Brigade ** Al-Murabitun Brigade ** Servants of al-Rahman Division ** Tawhid Army *** Hittin Brigade *** Soldiers of Mercy Brigades *** Hamza, Lion of God Brigade *** Black al-Rahman *** Bani Khalid * Youth of Sunna Forces ** Hamza Division ** Zaidi Cavalry Division ** Caliph

Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz ibn Marwan (; February 720) was the eighth Umayyad caliph, ruling from 717 until his death in 720. He is credited to have instituted significant reforms to the Umayyad central government, by making it much more efficient and ...

Brigade ** Spears of Alwali Brigade ** Martyr Yousef the Great Brigade ** Martyr Ahmed al-Khalaf Brigade ** Zaidi Knights Brigade ** Shield of Lajat Brigade ** Abu Saddam Brigade ** Martyr Ahmed al-Miqdad ** Banner of the Martyrs of Bosra ** Martyr Abdul Razzaq Azaaba Brigade ** Martyr Zuhair al-Zoubi Brigade ** Martyr Akhawsh Brigade ** Descendants of Ali Brigade ** Martyr Obeida Alissa Brigade ** Medical Battalion ** Mujahideen Houran ** Inkhil Martyrs Brigade * Quneitra Military Council ** Grandsons Brigade * Quneitra and the Golan Heights Military Council Jesus Christ Brigade BGM-71E

* Golan Knights Brigade * Sword of al-Sham Brigades ** Ezz Brigade ***

Jesus Christ Jesus (AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, and many Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament, other names and titles, was a 1st-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the Jesus in Chris ...

Brigade * Supporters of al-Huda * Descendants of the Prophet Brigade * Dawn of Syria Brigade * Osoud al-Sham * Hamza Lion of God Brigade * Al-Ezz bin Abdessalam Brigade * Dignity Brigade * Ghouta Mujahedin Brigade * Lower Qalamoun Brigade * Freedom Martyrs Brigade * Al-Haramein al-Sharifein Brigade * Habib Brigade * Bunyan Battalion * First Knights' Regiment * Second Knights' Regiment * Mutasim Billah Brigade ** al-Shahid Abu Saled Battalion ** Saraya Omawiyeen Battalion ** 22nd Infantry Battalion * Special Assignments Regiment * Special Assignments Brigade * Houran Storm Brigade * Martyr of Houran Brigade * Fallujah of Houran Brigade * Houran Tawhid Battalions * Tawhid al-Lajat Battalion * Southern Tawhid Brigade * Western Countryside Freemen Battalion

Former groups

* 11th Special Forces Division (left in September 2015 during the establishment of the Company of the People of the Levant, joining the Sham Liberation Army). * Hawks of the South (dissolved) * First Army (dissolved) * Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade (joined

) * Martyrs of Islam Brigade (left after the September 2016 Daraya evacuation) * 1st Brigade of Damascus (left in May 2016, joined al-Rahman Legion, became independent shortly after) * Lions of the Asima Brigade (left the Lions of the East Army to join the 8th Brigade of

) * Commandos of the Desert Brigade defected from the Lions of the East Army to join the SAA. * Douma Martyrs Brigade (left to form Jaysh al-Ummah, which dissolved in 2015) * Aisha, Mother of Believers Brigade (left the Southern Brigades to join

's 8th Brigade) * National Front for the Liberation of Syria member groups ** Dawn of Unity Division (left the Division of Decisiveness of the Alliance of Southern Forces) ** Saladin Division (left the Alliance of Southern Forces) ** Damascus Martyrs Brigade ** Qadisiya Division ** Shield of the Nation Brigade ** 1st Commandos Division *** Houran Plains Commandos Brigade *** Southern Commandos Brigade *** Ahmed Khalaf Brigade *** Saqr Hawran Brigade ** Houran Brigade * Forces of Martyr Ahmad al-Abdo (left after the April 2018 Eastern Qalamoun evacuation) * Lions of the East Army (left after the April 2018 Eastern Qalamoun evacuation) ** Lions of Umayyad Brigade ** Qadisiya Brigade ** Bayariq al-Shaitat ** Descendants of

Aisha Aisha bint Abi Bakr () was a seventh century Arab commander, politician, Muhaddith, muhadditha and the third and youngest wife of the Prophets and messengers in Islam, Islamic prophet Muhammad. Aisha had an important role in early Islamic h ...

Battalion **

Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah ʿĀmir ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Jarrāḥ (; 583–639), better known as Abū ʿUbayda () was a Muslim commander and one of the Companions of the Prophet. He is mostly known for being one of the ten to whom Paradise was promised. He was comm ...

Battalion ** Hamza Battalion ** Son of al-Qaim Brigade ** Mujahid

Omar Mukhtar ʿUmar al-Mukhtār Muḥammad bin Farḥāt al-Manifī (; 20 August 1858 – 16 September 1931), called The Lion of the Desert, known among the colonial Italians as Matari of the Mnifa, was a Libyan revolutionary and Imam who led the native res ...

Brigade ** Bashair al-Nasr Brigade ** Ahwaz Brigade ** Conquest Brigade **

Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam (; May 624October/November 692) was the leader of a caliphate based in Mecca that rivaled the Umayyads from 683 until his death. The son of al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam and Asma bint Abi Bakr, and grandson of ...

Group * Jaysh al-Ababil left the Southern Alliance in July 2018 to establish the Army of the South, in response to the encirclement of Daraa city that same month.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Southern Front (Syrian rebel group) Anti-Assad factions of the Syrian civil war As-Suwayda Governorate in the Syrian civil war Daraa Governorate in the Syrian civil war Quneitra Governorate in the Syrian civil war 2014 establishments in Syria