Assad regime and proclaim themselves in opposition to the new government in Syria, Quwat Saraya al-Areen (“Forces of the Brigades of the Den”) is notable for its declared link with the “Islamic Resistance Front in Syria- Awali al-Ba’s,” which styles itself as ‘Islamic Resistance’ within post-Assad Syria and uses similar imagery to that of Hezbollah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as seen below.
Although many of the activities claimed in the name of this group are questionable, the brand clearly does have some supporters inside Syria, who have recently photographed paper placards in various parts of the country (example below from Latakia). This should not be surprising. There are clearly some individuals inside Syria who still cling to the notion of the ‘resistance axis,’ whether or not they receive material support from Iran and Hezbolla.
But if the ‘Islamic Resistance Front in Syria- Awali al-Ba’s’ has a real organisational presence, it appears to have split into two factions following the announced death of its leader ‘Ridha Abu Jihad’ this month. One faction controls the group’s original media channels and proclaims its new leader to be ‘Abu Mujahid’ , while another faction operates a smaller channel in the name of the same group, claiming that the original channels have been taken over by hostile entities. The smaller channel has also published statements in the name of the ‘Military Council of the Islamic Resistance Front in Syria- Awali al-Ba’s’. It is the latter faction to which ‘Quwat Saraya al-Areen’ belongs.
Below is an interview recently conducted with ‘Colonel Hashim Abu Shu‘ayb,’ the leader of ‘Quwat Saraya al-Areen.’
Q: When was Quwat Saraya al-Areen formed and for what reasons? Does it have a link with the Saraya al-Areen that was led by Yisar al-Assad?
A: Quwat Saraya al-Areen is an organised military force that has a military, political and media leadership. It originates from the Islamic Resistance Front in Syria- Awali al-Ba’s. It was formed in February 2025 and was only present in the south of Syria, and now it is spread over more than one province. As for whether there is a link with Yisar al-Assad’s forces, we deny this completely. There is no link with any personalities who were linked to Mr. President Bashar al-Assad in the prior era.
Q: Of course there are many formations on the ground like the Men of Light and Coastal Shield, and many of these groups say their name is to establish an Alawite region on the coast. What’s your position on this aim? In other words how does Quwat Saraya al-Areen and the Islamic Resistance Front in Syria- Awali al-Ba’s differ from these other groups in terms of aims and path? Likewise what’s your position on Shaykh Ghazal Ghazal?
A: Syria does not accept partition. We differ in political opinions but we do not differ in the cause, which today is the fact that the Zionist enemy is working in the long-run to partition Syria. We do not disagree on this matter at all, because it has become well-known to all. All the members of Coastal Shield, Saraya al-Jawad [Men of Light] and the well-known patriotic formations today come from the prior army and security forces, and we cannot deny this. but today we want a fertile ground for work and preparation.
Regarding Shaykh Ghazal (may God protect him), we are with him in uniting the Alawite sect under one religious authority and we differ in political opinions: namely, partitioning Syria. Syria will not be partitioned however high the cost may grow.
Q: In other words do you oppose ideas of federalism, for example?
A: Federalism is one thing, partition another. Federalism entails one banner, one currency, and one national plan.
Q: Do you consider Bashar al-Assad to be the legitimate president at the moment and is it necessary for him to be restored to his position?
A: President Bashar al-Assad is the legitimate president of the country and his term ends in 2028. Mr. President fought global terrorism in Syria, as America, Israel and Turkey worked to mobilise all the terrorists in Syria. But the conspiracies are great and there is no one who does not make mistakes, and Mr. President, in the view of most people, made mistakes because of the people who were around him.
Q: But are you working to restore him to his position in Syria?
A: Not all. There is nothing along these lines at all.
Q: Currently, what is the priority for you? Fighting Israel and expelling it from Qunaytra and Deraa or bringing down the current regime in Damascus?
A: We will strike the head of the snake: the Zionist enemy.
Q: Do you have links with Ali Kayali who led the ‘Syrian Resistance- The Popular Front to Liberate the Sanjak of Alexandretta’?
A: Of course there is contact and direct coordination with the leader Abu Munir, who is the leader of the military force in the Front to Liberate the Sanjak of Alexandretta.
Q: Some say that the Islamic Resistance Front in Syria- Awali al-Ba’s is a proxy of Iran. Do you have links with Iran? Likewise why did you choose the name ‘Islamic Resistance’? Some may say this naming does not include all sects.
Q: We are not proxies for anyone. We do not receive support from any state, Arab or non-Arab. Our resistance has an Islamic identity and affiliation, and our enemy is clear and explicit: the Zionist entity, which today has become the greatest threat to the peoples of the region and the world. Our religious authority is doctrinal, and our book is the Noble Qur’an.
Q: How do you assess the new regime in Syria? Finally what is your message to Israel?
A: It is not a regime but rather a group of terrorist factions who have seized control of the region with Zionist blessing and Arabs of the desert [i.e. of the Gulf]. As for Israel, we will soon see its disappearance and the coming war will soon light up the whole region.
Published originally on December 31, 2025.
