Saraya al-Areen
| Saraya al-Areen | |
|---|---|
| سرايا العرين | |
| Other name | Fawj Abu al-Harith and Brigades of the Den |
Leaders | "Abu al-Harith" Yisar al-Assad (2015–2024) Hashem Abu Shuaib (2024–present) |
| Dates active | 2015–present |
| Allegiance | |
| Active regions | Latakia Governorate Suwayda Governorate |
| Ideology | Assadism |
| Wars | |
Saraya al-Areen (Arabic: سرايا العرين, lit. 'Brigades of the Den') is a Syrian Assadist militant organization in Latakia, Syria.
History
It was founded in 2015, led by Yisar al-Assad nicknamed "Abu al-Harith", although they claim to have been fighting since the beginning of the Syrian civil war, their operations are to expel the rebel forces from the north of the Latakia Governorate, during 2016 Latakia offensive, the group also brought fighters to fight in Aleppo during 2016 Southern Aleppo campaign.[1] The group owns warehouses in Qardaha where they collect used furniture looted in battles in rural Latakia and work as intermediaries between the families of detainees and Ba'athist Syria.[2]
The group together with Syrian Arab Armed Forces, National Defence Forces, Kata'ib al-Imam Ali and Hezbollah expelled the Syrian Free Army from Suwayda Governorate, in the Syrian Desert campaign (May–July 2017).[3]
According to their Facebook page, the group participated in the Central Syria campaign.[4]
In 2018, the Ba'athist Syria told the group that "Qardaha sends you a thank you card," adding, "It's enough that you protected the city of Qardaha and that no car bombs entered it".[5]
In 2020, the group began recruiting militants in the south, specifically Saida, Dael and Izraa, for Iranian militias and Hezbollah,[6] subjecting them to training courses in the Al-Lajat area.[7]
Following the Fall of Assad, the group swore allegiance to the Islamic Resistance Front in Syria in 2025, now commanded by Abu Shuaib.[8] Furthermore, together with the Syrian Popular Resistance, they made a joint appeal to all resistance factions and immediately establish the "Unified Military Council of the Syrian Resistance".[9] Their forces are now concentrated in the south, against Israel in their invasion of Syria.[10]
References
- ↑ "Saraya al-Areen: An Alawite Militia in Latakia - Syria Comment". Syria Comment. 10 December 2016. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
- ↑ "ميليشيا "سرايا العرين 313".. مهام "تشبيحية" جديدة في الساحل (صور)". أورينت نت (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 3 May 2022. Retrieved 25 December 2025.
- ↑ "US-backed rebels lose large chunk of territory to Syrian Army in east Sweida". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 20 May 2017. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
- ↑ "سرايا العرين". facebook.com. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
- ↑ "إنهاء عمل ميليشيات تحرس معقل آل الأسد منذ 7 سنوات". العربية (in Arabic). 12 June 2018. Retrieved 25 December 2025.
- ↑ "عبر "سرايا العرين".. إيران وحزب الله يجندان جنوب سوريا". العربية (in Arabic). 16 March 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2025.
- ↑ Hashomer, Arí (13 October 2020). "Milicias iraníes cambian el nombre de las antiguas calles de Siria". Noticias de Israel (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 December 2025.
- ↑ "أوّل ظهور لقائد "المقاومة الإسلامية في سوريا"... أبو جهاد رضا لـ"النهار": هدفنا مواجهة الاحتلالات وسنتصدى للشرع سياسياً". Retrieved 7 November 2025. [Saraya al-Areen", led by "Abu Shuaib", formerly led by Yasar al-Assad, known as "Abu al-Harith]
- ↑ محمود (7 May 2025). "قيادتا "سرايا العرين" و"المقاومة الشعبية السورية": نحو مجلس موحد للمقاومة وكسر مشروع التقسيم". موقع طوفان (in Arabic). Retrieved 25 December 2025.
- ↑ "فصيل جديد في القنيطرة يعلن "المقاومة" ضد إسرائيل". عنب بلدي (in Arabic). 30 September 2025. Retrieved 25 December 2025.