Syrian opposition

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
This article is about alternative Syrian Republic entity represented by the Syrian National Coalition. For Internal Syrian opposition, see National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change.
Syrian Arab Republic
(Opposition)
الجمهورية العربية السورية
Al-Jumhūrīyah Al-ʻArabīyah As-Sūrīyah
Flag
Capital Idlib (Provisional)[1]
Official languages Arabic
Government Semi-presidential republic
 •  President of the Syrian National Coalition Khaled Khoja[2]
 •  Prime Minister Ahmad Tu'mah
Legislature General Assembly
Establishment
 •  Formation 18 March 2013 
Syrian opposition
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Syrian opposition

Portal icon Politics portal

The Syrian opposition (Arabic: المعارضة السورية al-Muʕaraḍah as-Sūrīyah‎ Arabic pronunciation: [ʔalmuʕaɾaˈdˤa ʔas.suːˈɾiːja]) is an umbrella term for the political entity represented by the Syrian National Coalition and associated anti-regime Syrian groups with certain territorial control and an alternative Syrian government, claiming to represent the legitimate Syrian Arab Republic. The Syrian opposition evolved since the beginning of the Syrian conflict, from groups calling for regime change in Syria and who have opposed its Ba'athist government. Prior to the Syrian Civil War, the term "opposition" (Arabic "mu'araDah") had been used to refer to traditional political actors, for example the National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change; that is, groups and individuals who have had a history of dissent against the Syrian state.

The first opposition structures to form in the Syrian uprising were local protest-organizing committees. These formed in April, 2011, as protesters graduated from spontaneous protests to protests organized by meetings beforehand.

"The core of the grassroots civil opposition is the youth, mainly from the working and middle-classes, in which women and diverse religious and ethnic groups play active roles. Many of these activists remain non-affiliated to traditional political ideologies but are motivated by concerns for freedom, dignity, social justice and basic human rights." [3]

The Syrian uprising phase, from March 2011 until the start of August 2011, was characterized by a consensus for nonviolent struggle among the uprising's participants. Thus the conflict could not have been yet characterized as a "civil war", until the organization of armed struggle began on the anti-government side. This occurred beginning from 29 July 2011, allowing the conflict to meet the international political definition of "civil war."

Opposition groups in Syria took a new turn in late 2011, during the Syrian Civil War, as they united to form the Syrian National Council (SNC),[4] which has received significant international support and recognition as a partner for dialogue. The Syrian National Council was recognized or supported in some capacity by at least 17 member states of the United Nations, with three of those (France, United Kingdom and the United States) being permanent members of the Security Council.[5][6][7][8][9][10] The Syrian National Council is considered to be influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood and include many affiliated members. The Islamic Front, a major anti-regime Islamist Sunni militia during the Syrian Civil War, is affiliated with the Syrian National Council.

A broader opposition umbrella group, the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, was formed in November 2012 and has gained recognition as the "legitimate representative of the Syrian people" by the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (CCASG) and as a "representative of aspirations of Syrian people" by the Arab League.[11] The Syrian National Coalition was subsequently given the seat of Syria in the Arab League, with Ba'athist Syria representative suspended. The Syrian National Council, initially a part of the Syrian National Coalition, withdrew on 20 January 2014 in protest at the decision of the coalition to attend the Geneva talks.[12] Despite tensions, the Syrian National Council retains a degree of ties with the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces. Syrian opposition groups held reconciliation talks in Astana, Kazakhstan in October 2015.[13]


Background[edit]

The Ba'ath Party seized power in Syria in 1963 after a coup d'état. The head of state since 1971 has been a member of the al-Assad family, beginning with Hafez al-Assad (1971–2000). Syria was under emergency law from the time of the 1963 Syrian coup d'état until 21 April 2011, when it was rescinded by Bashar al-Assad, Hafez's eldest surviving son and the current President of Syria.[14] As the revolutionary wave commonly referred to as the Arab Spring began to take shape in early 2011, Syrian protesters began consolidating opposition councils.

Politics[edit]

Syrian National Coalition[edit]

Official logo of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces.

The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces is a coalition of opposition groups and individuals, mostly exilic, who support the Syrian revolution side and are against the Assad government ruling Syria. It formed on 11 November 2012 at a conference of opposition groups and individuals held in Doha, Qatar. It includes organisations such as the Syrian National Council, the previous iteration of an exilic political body attempting to represent the grassroots movement. Moderate Islamic preacher Moaz al-Khatib, who had protested on the Syrian street in the early nonviolent phase of the uprising, served a term as the president of the coalition, but soon resigned his post, frustrated with the gap between the body and the grassroots of the uprising inside Syria.[15] Riad Seif and Suheir Atassi, both of whom had also protested on the street in Syria early in the uprising, were elected as vice presidents. Mustafa Sabbagh is the coalition's secretary-general.[16]

  • Muslim Brotherhood: Islamist party founded in 1930. The brotherhood was behind the Islamic uprising in Syria between 1976 until 1982. The party is banned in Syria and membership became a capital offence in 1980. The Muslim Brotherhood has issued statements of support for the Syrian uprising.[17][18] Other sources have described the group as having "risen from the ashes",[19] "resurrected itself"[20] to be a dominant force in the uprising.[21] The Muslim Brotherhood has constantly lost influence with militants on the ground, who have defected from the Brotherhood affiliated Shields of the Revolution Council to the Islamic Front.[22]
  • Coalition of Secular and Democratic Syrians: nucleus of a Syrian secular and democratic opposition that appeared during the Syrian civil war. It came about through the union of a dozen Muslim and Christian, Arab and Kurd parties, who called the minorities of Syria to support the fight against the government of Bashar al-Assad.[23][24] The Coalition has also called for military intervention in Syria, under the form of a no-fly zone similar to that of Kosovo, with a safe zone and cities.[25][26] The president of the coalition, who is also a member of the SNC, is Randa Kassis.[27][28][29][30]
  • Damascus Declaration: Opposition bloc from 2005. Twelve members were sentenced to 2.5 years in prison in 2008. Syrian journalist and activist Michel Kilo launched the declaration, after the Syrian writer and thinker Abdulrazak Eid had written its first draft. Riad Seif, another democracy activist, became the first signatory.[31] The "five small opposition groups" signing the declaration were
  • Syrian Democratic People's Party: A socialist party which played a "key role" in the creation of the SNC.[34] The party's leader George Sabra (a secularist born to a Christian family) is the official spokesman of the SNC, and also ran for chairman.[35]
  • Supreme Council of the Syrian Revolution: Syrian opposition group supporting the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's government. It grants local opposition groups representation in its national organization.
  • Assyrian Democratic Organization: A party representing Assyrians in Syria and long repressed by the Assad government, it has been a participant in opposition structures since the beginning of the conflict. Abdul-Ahad Astepho is a member of the SNC.[36][37]
  • Syrian Turkmen Assembly: A recently formed assembly of Syrian Turkmens which constitutes a coalition of Turkmen parties and groups in Syria. It is against the partition of Syria after the collapse of Baath government. The common decision of Syrian Turkmen Assembly is: "Regardless of any ethnic or religious identity, a future in which everybody can be able to live commonly under the identity of Syrian is targeted in the future of Syria."[38]
  • Syrian Democratic Turkmen Movement: An opposition party of Syrian Turkmens, which was constituted in Istanbul on 21 March 2012. The leader of Syrian Democratic Turkmen Movement is Ziyad Hasan.
  • Syrian Turkmen National Bloc: An opposition party of Syrian Turkmens, which was founded in February 2012. The chairman of the political party is Yusuf Molla.
  • Local Coordination Committees of Syria: Network of local protest groups that organise and report on protests as part of the Syrian civil war, founded in 2011.[39][40] As of August 2011, the network supported civil disobedience and opposed local armed resistance and international military intervention as methods of opposing the Syrian government.[41] Key people are activists Razan Zaitouneh and Suhair al-Atassi.[42]
  • Free Syrian Army & Higher Military Council: Paramilitary that has been active during the Syrian civil war.[43][44] Composed mainly of defected Syrian Armed Forces personnel,[45][46] its formation was announced on 29 July 2011 in a video released on the Internet by a uniformed group of deserters from the Syrian military who called upon members of the Syrian army to defect and join them.[47] The leader of the group, who identified himself as Colonel Riad al-Asaad, announced that the Free Syrian Army would work with demonstrators to bring down the system, and declared that all security forces attacking civilians are justified targets.[48][49] It has also been reported that many former Syrian Consulates are trying to band together a Free Syrian Navy from fishermen and defectors to secure the coast.[50]
    • Syrian Turkmen Brigades: An armed opposition structure of Syrian Turkmens fighting against Syrian Armed Forces. It is also the military wing of Syrian Turkmen Assembly. It is led by Colonel Muhammad Awad and Ali Basher.

Syrian Interim Government[edit]

Main article: Syrian Interim Government

At a conference held in Istanbul on 19 March 2013, members of the National Coalition elected Ghassan Hitto as prime minister of an interim government for Syria. Hitto has announced that a technical government will be formed which will be led by between 10 and 12 ministers. The minister of defense is to be chosen by the Free Syrian Army.[51]

Territorial control[edit]

Military situation in the Syrian Civil War as of 18 November 2015.
  Controlled by Syrian Government forces
  Controlled by Kurdish forces (Rojava)
  Controlled by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
  Controlled by al-Nusra Front
  Controlled by Syrian opposition forces

(For a more detailed map, see Cities and towns during the Syrian Civil War)


Syrian Opposition has presence in 9 Syrian governorates, though none is fully under the control of the entity. Governorates with partial opposition control include:

On April 2015, the interim seat of the Syrian Interim Government was proposed to be Idlib,[52] in Idlib Governorate.

Military forces[edit]

Main articles: Free Syrian Army and Syrian Revolutionary Command Council

The military forces associated with the Syrian Opposition are currently largely defined by the Syrian Revolutionary Command Council, which is mainly relying on the Free Syrian Army (with links to Syrian National Coalition) and the Islamic Front (Syria) (linked to Syrian National Council) coalitions. Initially, the Free Syrian Army was perceived as the ultimate military force of the Syrian Opposition, but with the collapse of many FSA factions and emergence of powerful Islamist groups, it became clear to the opposition that only a cooperation of secular military forces and moderate Islamists could form a sufficient coalition to battle both the Syrian Baathist forces and radical Jihadists such as ISIL and in some cases al-Nusra Front.

Other anti-government groups in Syria[edit]

Islamic opposition groups[edit]

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Other secular opposition groups[edit]

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Kurdish Supreme Committee[edit]

The Kurdish flag flies over cities in the Kurdish statelet that has emerged in north-eastern Syria.[77][78]

The Kurdish Supreme Committee is a governing body of Kurdish-held regions in Syria founded by the Kurdish Democratic Union Party and Kurdish National Council following cooperation agreement between the two sides, signed on 12 July, in Erbil under auspice of the Iraqi Kurdistan president Massoud Barzani.[79] Its member board consist of equal number of PYD and KNC members.[80]

  • Kurdish Democratic Union Party: Kurdish Syrian political party established in 2003 by Arab and Kurdish nationalists in northern Syria. The party is linked with the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which is listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States, the European Union and NATO. The PYD does admit that the two parties have a close relationship, with the PKK not interfering with PYD management of Syrian Kurdish affairs.[81] It is currently not officially registered as a political party in Syria because the Constitution of Syria before 2012 did not allow political parties to be formed without permission.
  • Kurdish National Council: The Kurdish National Council was founded in Erbil, Iraq on 26 October 2011, under the sponsorship of President Massoud Barzani, following the earlier creation of the SNC. The organization was originally composed of 11 Syrian Kurdish parties, however by May 2012 this had grown to 15. The key difference between the KNC and the SNC is over their approach to the issue of decentralization, with the KNC pressing for Kurdish autonomy, whereas the SNC has rejected anything more than administrative decentralization.[82] The Kurdish National Council agreed to join the Syrian National Coalition in early 2013; the PYD criticized the KNC for doing so.[83]
    • Kurdistan Democratic Party of Syria led by Dr. Abdel Hakim Bashar/ Nasreddin Ibrahim
    • Kurdish Democratic National Party in Syria led by Tahir Sfook
    • Kurdish Democratic Equality Party in Syria led by Aziz Dawe
    • Kurdish Democratic Progressive Party in Syria led by Hamid Darwish
    • Kurdish Democratic Unity Party in Syria led by Sheikh Ali
    • Kurdish Yekiti Party in Syria led by Ismail Hamo
    • Azadi Kurdish Party in Syria led by Mustafa Oso/ Mustafa Jumaa
    • Syrian Democratic Kurdish Party led by Sheikh Jamal
    • Kurdish Left Party in Syria led by Muhammad Musa
    • Yekiti Kurdistani led by Abdul Basit Hamo
    • Kurdish Democratic Party in Syria led by Abdul Rahman Aluji/ Yusuf Faisal
    • Kurdish Democratic Wifaq Party led by Nash’at Muhammad
  • Popular Protection Units: Paramilitary fighting against the Syrian government in Syrian Kurdistan. The group was founded by the Kurdish Democratic Union Party and Kurdish National Council and is responsible for maintaining order and protecting the lives of residents in Kurdish neighbourhoods.

Parliamentary opposition in Syria[edit]

Syria
Coat of arms of Syria.svg
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Syria

Portal icon Politics portal

The government itself is divided, with several factions calling for either a change of direction under Assad, or for the replacement of Assad and the continuation of the Ba'athist government.

  • A new law on political parties was enacted along with constitutional reforms in 2012, allowing for new parties outside the National Progressive Front and thus officially permitting opposition to the government.[90] New parties were subsequently licensed: the National Development Party, Al-Ansar Party, People's Party, Solidarity Party, Syria the Homeland Party (Souria al-Watan), Democratic Vanguard Party, Syrian Democratic Party, Syrian National Youth Party for Justice and Development, Syrian National Youth Party, and Arab Democratic Solidarity Party. It is thought the new parties would function as "loyal opposition", although those that took part enjoyed little success in the 2012 parliamentary election. Some, such as the National Development Party and Al-Ansar, have subsequently shifted towards an anti-government stance, including talks with groups closer to the SNC[91]

List of opposition figures[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ admin-1. "بيان من الحكومة السورية المؤقتة بمناسبة تحرير ادلب". syriaig.org. 
  2. ^ "Syrian opposition bloc appoints new leader". Al Jazeera English. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2015. 
  3. ^ Leila Shrooms for Tahrir-ICN, "SYRIA: The struggle continues: Syria’s grass-roots civil opposition" http://tahriricn.wordpress.com/2013/09/16/syria-the-struggle-continues-syrias-grass-roots-civil-opposition/ Retrieved November 5, 2013
  4. ^ "The main components of the Syrian opposition". London: BBC Arabic. 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2013-09-01. 
  5. ^ thejournal.ie (27 February 2012). "EU ministers recognise Syrian National Council as legitimate representatives". Retrieved 29 February 2012. 
  6. ^ Andrew Rettman (24 October 2011). "France recognises Syrian council, proposes military intervention". EUObserwer. Retrieved 2011-11-24. 
  7. ^ "Clinton to Syrian opposition: Ousting al-Assad is only first step in transition". CNN. December 6, 2011. 
  8. ^ "UK Recognizes Syrian Opposition". International Business Times. 24 February 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-29. 
  9. ^ "Libya NTC says recognises Syrian National Council". Khaleej Times. 11 October 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011. 
  10. ^ "Libya to arm syrian rebels". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney Morning Herald. November 27, 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2013. 
  11. ^ "Syria's newly-formed opposition coalition draws mixed reaction". Xinhua. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013. 
  12. ^ a b "Main bloc quits Syrian National Coalition over Geneva". The Times of Israel. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014. 
  13. ^ "Syrian opposition sign joint document in Kazakhstan's Astana". Tengri News. 
  14. ^ Syria's state of emergency, Al Jazeera, 17 April 2011.
  15. ^ Kahf, Mohja. "Lack of U.S. Peace Movement Solidarity with Syrian Uprising and the "No Good Guys Excuse" | Fellowship of Reconciliation". Forusa.org. Retrieved 2014-01-21. 
  16. ^ Rebhy, Abdullah (11 November 2012). "Syrian opposition groups reach unity deal". Associated Press. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 
  17. ^ "Muslim Brotherhood Behind Syrian Uprising". The Stafford Voice (Beirut). AP. 29 April 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2013. 
  18. ^ Ghosh, Palash (11 April 2011). "Outlawed Muslim Brotherhood supports Syrian revolt". International Business Times. Retrieved 25 January 2013. 
  19. ^ Syria's Muslim Brotherhood rise from the ashes|By Khaled Yacoub Oweis|6 May 2012
  20. ^ Syria’s Muslim Brotherhood is gaining influence over anti-Assad revolt By Liz Sly, Washington Post 12 May 2012
  21. ^ "Free Article for Non-Subscriber". Stratfor. 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2014-01-21. 
  22. ^ Masi, Alessandria (9 March 2015). "Aleppo Battle: Al Qaeda's Jabhat Al-Nusra is Friend To Syrian Rebel Groups". International Business Times. Retrieved 10 March 2015. In 2013, the Syrian opposition included a large number of Islamist brigades that were neither moderate nor jihadist but were aligned with the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, under an umbrella organization called the Commission of the Shields of the Revolution. Two years later, the brigades have begun to slowly disperse. 
  23. ^ John Irish (16 September 2011) "France hails Syria council, develops contacts", Reuters.
  24. ^ "Les partis d'opposition laïcs syriens unissent leurs forces à Paris", Agence France-Presse, 18 September 2011.
  25. ^ "UN: Syria death toll tops 2,700", Al Jazeera, 19 September 2011.
  26. ^ "Répression en Syrie: Al Assad seul contre tous ?", France 24, 11 January 2012.
  27. ^ "Entretien avec Randa Kassis, opposante et intellectuelle syrienne porte-parole de la Coalition des Forces Laïques et membre du Conseil National Syrien", France Soir, 11 November 2011.
  28. ^ Alexandre Del Valle (2 June 2011) "Syrie: Pourquoi Assad reste au pouvoir", France Soir.
  29. ^ Julien Peyron (11 January 2012) Discours de Bachar al-Assad: "Comme d’habitude, il ressort le complot de l’étranger", France 24.
  30. ^ "Randa Kassis est membre du comité directeur de la Coalition des forces laïques et démocratiques syriennes.", Radio France International, 18 September 2011.
  31. ^ Wright, Robin, Dreams and shadows, the Future of the Middle East, Penguin Press, 2008, p.232-4
  32. ^ "Opposition Groups Issue 'Damascus Declaration' for a Regime Change". Naharnet. Retrieved 26 October 2014. 
  33. ^ "Movement for Justice and Development seeking to expand role in Syria". The Washington Post. Retrieved 26 October 2014. 
  34. ^ "Carnegie Middle East Center: The Syrian Democratic People’s Party". Carnegie Middle East Center. Retrieved 26 October 2014. 
  35. ^ "Carnegie Middle East Center: George Sabra". Carnegie Middle East Center. Retrieved 26 October 2014. 
  36. ^ "Carnegie Middle East Center: The Assyrian Democratic Organization". Carnegie Middle East Center. Retrieved 26 October 2014. 
  37. ^ "Assyrians and the Syrian Uprising". Retrieved 26 October 2014. 
  38. ^ Syrian Turkmens ask equality in opposition, Hürriyet Daily News, 17 December 2012, Istanbul.
  39. ^ "Syrian woman activist wins human rights award". Amnesty International. 7 October 2011. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2012. 
  40. ^ Basil, Yousuf; Richard Roth; Mick Krever; Salma Abdelaziz; Mohamed Fadel Fahmy (5 February 2012). "Opposition group calls for strike as Syrian violence grows". CNN. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2012. 
  41. ^ "Syrian Local Coordinating Committees on Taking Up Arms and Foreign Intervention". Jadaliyya. Arab Studies Institute. 31 August 2011. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2012. 
  42. ^ Shadid, Anthony; Hwaida Saad (30 June 2011). "Coalition of Factions From the Streets Fuels a New Opposition in Syria". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2012. 
  43. ^ Albayrak, Ayla (4 October 2011). "Turkey Plans Military Exercise on Syrian Border". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 4 October 2011. 
  44. ^ "Syria Army Defectors Press Conference – 9–23–11". Syria2011archives. Retrieved 9 October 2011. 
  45. ^ Bearing Witness in Syria: A Correspondent’s Last Days. NYTimes (4 March 2012)
  46. ^ 1 week with the "free syrian army" – February 2012 – Arte reportage 1 of 2. YouTube. Retrieved on 23 March 2012.
  47. ^ Landis, Joshua (29 July 2011). "Free Syrian Army Founded by Seven Officers to Fight the Syrian Army". Syria Comment. Retrieved 7 August 2011. 
  48. ^ "Defecting troops form 'Free Syrian Army', target Assad security forces". World Tribune. 3 August 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2011. 
  49. ^ "Syrian Army Colonel Defects forms Free Syrian Army". Asharq Alawsat. 1 August 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2011. 
  50. ^ "Former Syrian Consulates Support Free Syrian Navy". 
  51. ^ "Syrian rebels to choose interim defence minister | Middle East". World Bulletin. 2013-03-29. Retrieved 2013-09-09. 
  52. ^ "Will Syrian opposition move interim government to Idlib? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East". Al-Monitor. 
  53. ^ "Iraqi al-Qaeda and Syrian group 'merge'". Al Jazeera English. 9 April 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2013. 
  54. ^ Ignatius, David (30 November 2012). "Al-Qaeda affiliate playing larger role in Syria rebellion". Washington Post. Retrieved 1 December 2012. 
  55. ^ "UN blacklists Syria's al-Nusra Front". Al Jazeera English. 31 May 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2013. 
  56. ^ "US blacklists Syrian rebel group al-Nusra". Al Jazeera. 11 December 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2012. 
  57. ^ "Australian Government lists anti-Assad Syrian group as terrorist organisation - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Abc.net.au. 2013-06-29. Retrieved 2014-01-21. 
  58. ^ "Britain bans Syria's al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front on terrorism grounds". Fox News. 19 July 2013. 
  59. ^ "Al-Nusra Commits to al-Qaeda, Deny Iraq Branch 'Merger'". Agence France Presse. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2013. 
  60. ^ "Insight: Syria's Nusra Front eclipsed by Iraq-based al Qaeda". Reuters. 2013-05-17. Retrieved 2013-05-18. 
  61. ^ Spencer, Richard (2013-05-19). "Syria: Jabhat al-Nusra split after leader's pledge of support for al-Qaeda". London: The Telegraph. Retrieved 2013-05-21. 
  62. ^ "Iraqi al-Qaeda chief rejects Zawahiri orders". Al Jazeera. 2013-06-15. Retrieved 2013-06-15. 
  63. ^ "11 كتيبة مقاتلة تعلن تشكيل "الجبهة الإسلامية السورية" لإسقاط الأسد وبناء "مجتمع إسلامي حضاري"". Al-Hayat. 22 December 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2012. 
  64. ^ "Islamic Forces In Syria Announce Establishment Of Joint Front Aimed At Toppling Assad, Founding Islamic State; Syrian Website Urges Them To Incorporate All Islamic Forces In Country". 
  65. ^ "Syria's Islamist rebels join forces against Assad". Reuters. 11 October 2012. 
  66. ^ "Leading Syrian rebel groups form new Islamic Front". BBC. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2014. 
  67. ^ Yezdani, Ipek (23 August 2011). "Syrian dissidents form national council". World Wires (Miami Herald Media). Retrieved 24 August 2011. [dead link]
  68. ^ Yezdani, İpek (23 August 2011). "Syrian dissidents form national council". The Edmond Sun. Retrieved 19 November 2011. 
  69. ^ "National Coordinating Body for Democratic Change names Executive Committee_Syrian opposition must avoid splits". Support Kurds. 11 October 2011. Retrieved 13 November 2011. 
  70. ^ "Meet Syria's Opposition". 1 November 2011. Retrieved 13 November 2011. 
  71. ^ http://suroyotv.com/en/images/files/The_Syriac_Union_Party_In_Syria_entered_the_syrian_embassy_in_Sweden.pdf
  72. ^ "Syrian rebels desperate for weapons". CBS. 
  73. ^ "Syrian rebels are losing faith in the West". The Telegraph (London). 14 February 2012. 
  74. ^ "Exiled Assad's uncle wants to lead Syria transition". Al Arabiya. 14 November 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2012. 
  75. ^ "United National Democratic Rally التجمع القومي الديموقراطي الموحد". Retrieved 26 October 2014. 
  76. ^ "Syrian coalition against Assad formed". Dawn. Agence France-Presse. 19 August 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011. 
  77. ^ "Kurds' ambitions add explosive element to Syria equation". CNN. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012. 
  78. ^ "Analysis: Syrian Kurds sense freedom, power struggle awaits". Reuters. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2012. 
  79. ^ Kurdish Supreme Committee in Syria Holds First Meeting
  80. ^ Syrian Kurdish Official: Now Kurds are in Charge of their Fate
  81. ^ "PYD Leader Salih Muslim: Syrian Government Has Lost Control in Kurdish Areas". Rudaw. 10 July 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2012. 
  82. ^ "The Kurdish National Council in Syria". Carnegie Middle East Center. Retrieved 24 July 2012. 
  83. ^ "PYD Leader Skeptical of Kurdish Agreement With Syrian Opposition". Rudaw.net. 9 March 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2014. 
  84. ^ Russia Bids to Unite Syria’s Fractured Opposition, RIA Novosti, 26 April 2012
  85. ^ Why reforming Syria's public institutions is the 11th Five-Year Plan's top priority., Syria Today, January 2011
  86. ^ Syrian candidate says parliamentary elections marred with violations, Xinhua, 9 May 2012
  87. ^ a b Syrian Parliamentary Elections: Cynicism Wins The Day, Al Akhbar (Lebanon), 7 May 2012
  88. ^ "Assad says Syria 'able' to get out of crisis". Al Jazeera. 25 May 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012. 
  89. ^ "Syria envoy says Assad resignation is up for discussio". BBC News. 22 August 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012. 
  90. ^ Syrian Arab News Agency: SANA, Damascus Syria - syria news. "Syrian Arab news agency - SANA - Syria : Syria news ::". Sana.sy. Retrieved 2014-01-21. 
  91. ^ "Syrian Opposition Attempts Consolidation - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 2014-01-21. 
  92. ^ "Our Team". Foundation for defense of democracies. Retrieved 25 January 2013. 
  93. ^ Syria's Kilo pledges to continue struggle
  94. ^ Wright, Robin (2008). Dreams and Shadows: The Future of the Middle East. New York: Penguin Press. p. 232. ISBN 978-1-59420-111-0 .

External links[edit]
National Progressive Front
Popular Front for Change and Liberation
Unrepresented
Defunct parties
Banned parties
Kurdish parties
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Syrian_opposition&oldid=689541966"