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Command of Military Operations

The Command of Military Operations [AR = kayada amliat askariah], frequently seen as "Military Operations Department" , or "Military Operations Management" [AR = idara amliat askariah] is the successor to the previously known Al-Fatah al-Mubin / Fathul Mubeen ("Great Conquest") Operations Room, which holds military control over the greater Idlib region. It represents an institution that has integrated multiple factions into a unified, army-like structure, equipped with a new military strategy, enhanced technology, and improved command and control systems. This setup allows it to conduct both defensive and offensive operations with greater efficiency.

In late November 2024, the MOC launched a significant offensive in northwestern Syria, leading to the capture of over 100 towns and villages and most of Aleppo city. This offensive marked one of the most substantial challenges to President Bashar al-Assad's regime in recent years. The coalition's rapid advances have prompted counterattacks from Syrian and Russian forces, resulting in intensified conflict in the region.

The MOC's operations have also involved symbolic acts, such as the toppling of a statue of Bassel al-Assad in Aleppo, reminiscent of the fall of Saddam Hussein's statue in 2003. These actions underscore the coalition's intent to challenge the Assad regime's authority and its allies, including Russia and Iran. The resurgence of MOC-led operations introduced new dynamics into the Syrian conflict, affecting regional stability and the strategic interests of involved international actors. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing military engagements and diplomatic efforts shaping the conflict's trajectory.

The factions leading the attack in Aleppo, Idlib and Hama were divided into two operations rooms: “Deterrence of Aggression” and “Dawn of Freedom.” The first operations department consists of what is known as the “Al-Fath Al-Mubin Operations Room,” and some factions affiliated with the Syrian “National Army” coalition, supported by Ankara. The "Al-Fath Al-Mubin" includes the following factions: "Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham" (formerly Jabhat Al-Nusra, which is classified on the US terrorist lists), "Faylaq Al-Sham", "Jaysh Al-Ahrar", "Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham", and "Jaysh Al-Izza", which was previously part of the "Free Syrian Army". Other groups from the "National Army" are allied with the aforementioned factions, including the "Al-Sham Front", the "Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement", and the "National Liberation Front" factions, which were also previously considered part of the "Free Syrian Army".

The military operations do not only include Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham. It is the spearhead of the attack with other Islamic factions due to the nature of the training its fighters received in the past, in addition to the different doctrine. Tahrir al-Sham is also unable to cover all the battle fronts," and therefore fighters from other military factions opposed to the Syrian regime are deployed on the ground, a large portion of whom are from the region (this includes Aleppo, Hama, and Idlib).

The Deterrence of Aggression battle took control of the entire provinces of Aleppo and Idlib, and parts of Hama province. What was striking during the battle was the noticeable change in the political discourse adopted by the “ Military Operations Management ” room leading the battle, and it was shown by a group of political statements, some of which were directed internally to the local community, and some of which crossed borders to address countries.

The "Military Operations Management" operations room showed unprecedented discipline through an official spokesman and unified platforms for transmitting information. The media discourse focused on linking the operation to the repeated shelling by the Syrian army and its militias on opposition areas, which gave it local legitimacy by stating that the goal of the battle was to "protect civilians and keep the regime's fire away." It also reassured residents in the "newly liberated" areas through direct instructions from Abu Muhammad al-Julani to the faction leaders to deal "gently" with civilians, protect their property, and provide safety guarantees for soldiers who choose to defect.

The command of military operations in the Syrian rebel context evolved over time, with various groups and factions emerging to challenge the Assad regime. While some rebel groups have achieved significant successes, others have struggled to coordinate their efforts or adapt to changing circumstances. During the Syrian Civil War (2011-2022), various rebel groups emerged, each with their own command structures and operational plans. These groups often operated in different regions, with some focusing on urban warfare in cities like Aleppo and Damascus, while others engaged in guerrilla warfare in rural areas.

The command of military operations in this context involves several key factors, including:

• Command and Control (C2): This refers to the ability of rebel leaders to coordinate and direct their forces in real-time, using a combination of communication networks, intelligence, and logistics to achieve their goals.
• Operational Planning: This involves the development of strategies and plans to achieve specific military objectives, such as capturing key territories or disrupting enemy supply lines.
• Tactical Execution: This refers to the actual implementation of operational plans, involving the deployment of forces, the use of tactics and techniques, and the employment of resources such as artillery, air support, or logistics.
• Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR): This is critical for rebel groups to gather information about enemy positions, movements, and capabilities, allowing them to adjust their plans and operations accordingly.

Some key aspects of command of military operations in the Syrian rebel context include:

• Unity of Command: The need for a unified command structure among different rebel groups to coordinate their efforts and avoid confusion or overlap.
• Operational Art: The development of operational plans that take into account the complexity of urban and rural environments, as well as the adaptability required to respond to changing circumstances.
• Logistics and Supply Chain Management: The need for rebel groups to maintain effective logistics and supply chains to support their operations, including the procurement of food, ammunition, and medical supplies.

The Command of Military Operations is composed of 13 factions, bringing together 60,000 troops under its leadership. Together, these factions maintain a presence across a 169-kilometer frontline, solidifying their reach and influence across all fronts. These factions include

1. Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)
2. Ahrar al-Sham
3. Ansar Tawheed
4. Faylaq al-Sham
5. Firqah 23
6. Firqah Sahiliyya
7. Jaysh al-Ahrar
8. Jaysh Idlib Hur
9. Jaysh al-Izzah
10. Jaysh al-Nasr
11. Jaysh al-Nukhba
12. Suqour al-Sham
13. Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP)

The Al-Fath Al-Mubin Operations Room was established in 2019, and has been responsible for coordinating and managing military operations in northern Syria in Idlib , the countryside of Aleppo , Latakia, and Hama since 2020. In mid-2020, the organization issued a statement about “unifying military efforts,” preventing the formation of any military faction or operations room in the areas under its control, and confining military operations to the “Al-Fath Al-Mubin Operations Room.”

In a press conference held in 2023, the movement announced a new arrangement for building the military force of the factions operating in the region, and said that this step contributed to "achieving a balance of power in the region." Then, the formation of the "Military Operations Administration" appeared with the announcement of the launch of the "Deterrence of Aggression" battle, and the inclusion of the same factions that were previously affiliated with "Al-Fath Al-Mubeen".

Previously known as the Fath al-Mubeen Operations Room (FMOR), the coalition rebranded itself after a year-long restructuring process that began in 2023. This reformation introduced significant changes in operational procedures and inter-factional cohesion, creating a more streamlined and effective military structure. The Command of Military Operations (CMO) stood as a crucial military coalition in the ongoing battles to defend and liberate Syria’s occupied territories. Representing a united front of various military factions, the CMO protected the liberated north and pushes forward with hopes of securing a future for the displaced and oppressed Syrian people. The transition was not merely a name change. The group adopted advanced command and control systems, integrating new military technologies to enhance its battlefield capabilities. By modernizing its procedures, the CMO shifted to a more centralized and sophisticated operational model, making it better equipped to handle the complexities of contemporary warfare.

The Command plays a vital role in protecting liberated areas in northwestern Syria, ensuring the safety and stability of these regions. Its primary objectives include repelling enemy assaults, establishing a stable and secure region free from Assad’s influence, and strengthening military capabilities. Additionally, the Command conducts guerrilla operations to disrupt opposing forces and focuses on fortifying frontline positions to reinforce its defensive capabilities. Through these efforts, it strives to maintain control and safeguard the region from external threats.

The opposition areas in northwestern Syria were under the authority of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, led by Abu Muhammad al-Julani, a military organization that crystallized in early 2017 as a result of an alliance between several factions, the most important of which is Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, which previously operated under the name Jabhat al-Nusra, and now controls Idlib Governorate, parts of the western Aleppo countryside, and parts of the Latakia countryside.

The organization established the Salvation Government as its political arm; it is an apparatus whose cadres are mostly civilian elites, and it works to achieve service achievements in the fields of security, education, health, and economic development.These areas are home to nearly 4 million people, most of whom live in displacement camps on the Turkish border, while agricultural, animal, water and energy resources are scarce compared to the population.

As for its military arm, it was the “Al-Fath Al-Mubin Operations Room,” which includes the military factions in northwestern Syria. Onr major risk is the normalization of Arab and regional countries, especially Türkiye, with the Assad regime.

By November 2024 the operations room was keen to send messages to minorities, as it issued statements directed at the Kurds calling for the withdrawal of military personnel from the city of Aleppo, while stressing the rights of civilians to remain in their homes as they are a basic component of Syrian society and the responsibility for protecting them falls on the military factions. In another statement, it called on the residents of the Shiite towns of Nubl and Zahraa not to engage in the fighting, and pledged to protect them from any targeting. Photos and videos circulated by activists showed that the churches witnessed normal religious activity, and other video clips showed fighters securing the return of a number of Shiite families who were stuck in the Al-Safira area in the eastern countryside of Aleppo to their town.

In a remarkable shift, the Military Operations Directorate called on Russia in a statement to “not link its interests to the Assad regime” and to consider the Syrian people as a potential partner. In another separate statement, it also addressed Iraq, calling for “not supporting the regime” and stressing that the Syrian revolution does not threaten regional stability. It also allocated contact numbers for diplomatic missions in Aleppo to protect their employees and headquarters.

Locally manufactured "Shaheen" drones appeared since the first day of the battle, and the "Military Operations Department" published a video clip showing other drones bearing the name "Saraya Al-Uqab". These drones gave the opposition forces the opportunity to carry out several qualitative operations, including targeting the head of the Military Security Branch in the city of Hama on Sunday, December 1, and targeting a large gathering of Syrian government officers at the summit of Mount Zein al-Abidin in northern Hama, according to data from the operations room.

The opposition was able to control huge weapons depots containing special weapons such as anti-tank guided missiles, military airports, rocket shells, rocket launchers, and more than 100 tanks, following the control of important military sites, most notably Aleppo Military Airport, Kuweires Airport, the 46th Regiment, and the 80th Air Defense Regiment. Equipment seized at the Kuweires military base included a Mi-8 helicopter, an L-39 combat trainer aircraft, and reports indicated that an S-200 anti-aircraft missile system, along with Strela-10 and Pantsir-S1 air defense systems, had also become in the possession of the opposition.