Raji Falhout group
| Raji Falhout group Dawn Forces[1] Atil group[2] | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | Raji Falhout |
| Dates of operation | 2015[2]-July 2022 |
| Headquarters | Slaim, Syria Atil, Syria[3] |
| Active regions | Al-Suwayda Governorate, Syria[4] |
| Size | 30[5] |
| Opponents | Al-Jabal Brigade[6] Men of Dignity[1] Anti-Terrorism Force[7] |
| Battles and wars | Syrian civil war |
The Raji Falhout group, named after its leader, Raji Falhout, was a government-aligned faction in Syria that was dissolved during the Syrian civil war.
History
The group was established in 2015 with the support of Military Intelligence.[2]
There were clashes between the Raji Falhout group and other groups, following the seizure of a seller and a university student in September 2021, in an attempt by the Raji Falhout group to force the release of a member of Military Intelligence who had been taken by the Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF).[8] A member of the Falhout group was captured by the ATF and his confession was aired on Facebook.[7]
Members of the group clashed with the Men of Dignity in Suwayda and Atil that same month.[9]
The Raji Falhout group kidnapped university students from the town of Shahba on 26 July 2022.[10] They were arrested and charged with being members of the Syrian Brigade Party[11] and were all members of the Tawil family. Members of the family took four hostages of their own.[12] The Falhout group's headquarters in Slaim was taken over in response. Anti-government fighters additionally took control of the groups headquarters in Atil, where the student hostages were found and freed.[10] 13 fighters were reported killed, including nine fighters from Falhout group and four anti-government fighters, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.[13] The total number of dead increased to ten government loyalists and seven opposition fighters, with 40 wounded by the next day.[14]
After numerous Raji Falhout group prisoners were tortured and killed by unknown forces, Laith al-Balous, a Druze leader, announced the release of six prisoners. His group also participated in the raids on the Falhout group headquarters in Slaim[15] and Atil.[16]
Another pro-regime faction, Salim Hamed's Fahd Forces, which operated from Qanawat, was targeted the following month.[17]
References
- ^ a b Walid Al Nofal (27 July 2022). "Damascus silent as military security-linked 'Falhout group' is uprooted in Suwayda". Syria Direct. Translated by Mateo Nelson. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "Syria's Suwayda notables appeal to al-Karama Forces to end local group's violations". North Press Agency. Suwayda. 12 November 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ "10 killed in clashes between government, locals in Syria's Suwayda". North Press Agency. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ Suleiman Al-Khalidi (28 July 2022). "At least 17 dead in rare clashes in Syria's Sweida province". Reuters. Archived from the original on 28 July 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ Ali Darwish; Khaled Jar’atli; Hussam al-Mahmoud; Rayan al-Atrash (3 October 2021). "Multiple conflicting forces on the ground portend possible clash in Syria's As-Suwayda". Enab Baladi. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ Walid Al Nofal (19 July 2024). "Murhij al-Jarmani assassinated: A 'turning point' for Suwayda's uprising?". Syria Direct. Translated by Mateo Nelson. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ a b Ali Eid; Khaled al-Jeratli; Hassan Ibrahim (7 October 2021). "Rise in kidnappings sparks fear among people of As-Suwayda". Enab Baladi. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ Ali Eid; Khaled al-Jeratli; Hassan Ibrahim (5 July 2022). ""Wait for the next": Iran warns As-Suwayda residents as 'next' can exceed reprisals". Enab Baladi. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ "Men of Dignity clash with pro-government groups in Syria's Suwayda". North Press Agency. Suwayda. 15 September 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Government militia lose last headquarters in Syria's Suwayda to locals". North Press Agency. Suwayda. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ "Recap: Suweida Revolts Against Corruption". The Syrian Observer. 29 July 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ Armenak Tokmajyan (29 August 2022). "Making the Druze Choose". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ "Syria: 13 reported killed after clashes between armed groups in Sweida". Middle East Eye. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ "Southern Syria clashes unearth regime-linked drug-manufacturing equipment". Al-Mashareq. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ Walid Al Nofal (4 August 2022). "After Falhout: Suwayda residents and factions expand action against Damascus-backed 'gangs'". Syria Direct. Translated by Mateo Nelson. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ Riad al-Zein (3 August 2022). "Al-Balous: Elimination of Falhout Militia Helps Eradicate Iranian Expansion in Syria's Sweida". Asharq al-Awsat. Daraa. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ David Isaly (17 August 2022). "Against the odds". Now Lebanon. Retrieved 15 May 2025.