Jamaat Jund al-Qawqaz, originally formed as Ahrar al-Sharkas (Arabic: كتيبة أحرار ألشركس, The Free Circassian Battalion), was an armed group based in the Quneitra Governorate of Syria with some fighters in the Latakia Governorate. The group was made up of ethnic Circassians from Beer Ajam. The group came to prominence during the Quneitra Governorate clashes (2012–14).
| Jamaat Jund al-Qawqaz | |
|---|---|
| كتيبة أحرار ألشركس | |
 The group uses the flag of Adygea which is representative of Circassian identity | |
| Leaders | Abu Hatab al-Sharkassy |
| Dates of operation | February 2013 — 2014 [1] |
| Headquarters | Beer Ajam, Quneitra Governorate |
| Active regions | Quneitra Governorate and Latakia Governorate |
| Part of |  Ajnad al-Kavkaz (since 2014) |
| Allies |  Al-Nusra Alwiya al-Furqan Free Syrian Army Islamic Front |
| Opponents |  Syria Hezbollah |
| Battles and wars | Syrian Civil War |
History edit
The group was founded by a local from Beer Ajam of Circassian descent who goes by the nom de guerre Abu Hatab al-Sharkassy who has expressed support for the Caucasus Emirate. In 2014 he declared allegiance to Ajnad al-Kavkaz, thus making Ahrar al-Sharkas part of it and moved some fighters to the Latakia Governorate to be closer to the central core of Ajnad al-Kavkaz.[2] After their declaration of allegiance to Ajnad Al-Kavkaz, Ajnad Al-Kavkaz officially recognized itself as active in the Quneitra Governorate.[3] The group chose to remain neutral in the conflict between ISIL and other rebel groups.
References edit
- ^ Mezghiche, Hamoudi (23 November 2014). "Syrian Revolution - Armed Groups: Jihadist groups in Syria".
- ^ ""Displaced Conflict": Ethnic Circassian Ahrar Al-Sharkas Joins Junud Al-Qawqaz". Chechens in Syria. 28 November 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
- ^ Al-Tamimi, Aymenn Jawad. "Jamaat Jund al-Qawqaz: A Caucasus Emirate Group in Latakia".