| Country: | Syria |
| Details of Formation: | The Syrian Resistance was formed in 2011 by Mihraç Ural, a naturalized Turkish-born Alawite with ties to the Syrian government. He recruited young Alawites on the coast and set them to work as a pro-government militia. |
| Details of Termination: | -- |
| Purpose: | The group’s main purpose is not entirely clear. The leader himself emphasized that their purpose was to guard the border and prevent foreigners from entering the country. The group also participates in the fight against insurgents in the Syrian civil war. |
| Organisation: | The Syrian Resistance is led by Mihraç Ural, also known by his nom de guerre Ali Kayali. Being an Alawite from Turkey, he lived in Syria since the early 1980s and has developed a lasting relationship with the Assad regime. In 2014, Ural was reported to have died in battle, which turned out to be a wrong report. As late as 2018, Ural was still alive and the commander of the Syrian Resistance (The Syrian Observer 2018). |
| Weapons and Training: | Syrian Resistance fighters reportedly have AK-47 guns. Members use their own guns. |
| Size: | One news source dated March 2014 mentions that the Syrian Resistance is allegedly composed of 2,000 fighters. |
| Reason for Membership: | -- |
| Treatment of Civilians: | The Syrian Resistance militia is held responsible for the massacre in Banias, where numerous Sunni civilian families were killed. The group itself denies committing violence against civilians. |
| Other Information: | It is not clear whether the organization is the successor or the alias of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Iskanderoun, as both groups are led by Mihraç Ural. The group’s leader is often accompanied on official occasions by the Alawi religious Mowaffaq al-Ghazal. |
| References: |
The Syrian Observer. 2018. “Turkey Furious Over Attendance of ‘Butcher of Baniyas’ at Sochi.” February 2. https://syrianobserver.com/EN/news/21278/turkey_furious_over_attendance_butcher_baniyas_at_sochi.html Information was taken from news sources listed in the PGMD |