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Who’s who in the Syria conflict

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Russia, Iran and Turkey agreed to bolster a fragile truce in Syria after two days of talks in the Kazakh capital Astana aimed at ending the country's nearly six-year war.

The three powers also agreed that armed rebel groups should take part in a new round of talks to be hosted by the United Nations in Geneva next month.

Here is a breakdown of the forces involved in the complex civil war:

- Regime and allies -

Syrian pro-government forces sit on a military vehicle driving past residents fleeing Aleppo in Nove...
Syrian pro-government forces sit on a military vehicle driving past residents fleeing Aleppo in November 2016
George OURFALIAN, AFP/File

The Syrian army's 300,000-strong pre-war force has been halved by deaths, defections and draft-dodging.

It is bolstered by 150,000-200,000 irregulars and supported by 5,000-8,000 men from Lebanon's Shiite militia Hezbollah, as well as by Iranian, Iraqi and Afghan fighters.

Key regime backer Russia began an air campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad in September 2015 and has helped Damascus recapture several key areas, including Aleppo city.

Iran has also provided major financial and military support to Assad.

The government controls 34 percent of Syria's territory, including key cities such as Damascus and second city Aleppo. Of the 16 million Syrians who remain in the country, 65.5 percent live in regime territory.

- Rebels -

Fighters of the Free Syrian Army  a group which once regrouped Syria's rebel factions but has s...
Fighters of the Free Syrian Army, a group which once regrouped Syria's rebel factions but has since broken up, fire an anti-aircraft weapon from a rebel-held area of Aleppo in December 2016
STRINGER, AFP/File

Syria's opposition comprises a wide range of factions, including moderate rebels and Islamist groups.

Estimates of its total number of forces range from tens of thousands up to around 100,000.

Early on, rebels coalesced under the banner of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), but since then the opposition has splintered.

The most powerful non-jihadist group is Ahrar al-Sham, with a commanding presence in Idlib and Aleppo provinces.

It espouses a hardline Islamist ideology and is allied with the jihadist Fateh al-Sham Front in Idlib where they lead the Army of Conquest alliance.

Another key opposition group is the Saudi-backed Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam). One of its leading figures, Mohammad Alloush, headed the opposition delegation in Astana.

Rebels now hold only around 13 percent of the country, including areas where they are allied with Fateh al-Sham, according to Syria expert Fabrice Balanche.

Around 12.5 percent of Syria's remaining population lives in rebel-held territory.

- Jihadists -

A member of the Syrian pro-government forces carries an Islamic State group flag as he stands on a s...
A member of the Syrian pro-government forces carries an Islamic State group flag as he stands on a street in the ancient city of Palmyra after troops recaptured the city from IS jihadists
STR, AFP/File

There are two rival jihadist forces: the Islamic State group and former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front.

IS emerged from the chaos of the war to seize large parts of Syria and Iraq in mid-2014, declaring an Islamic "caliphate", committing widespread atrocities and carrying out or inspiring deadly attacks abroad.

Under pressure from an air war launched two years ago by a US-led coalition and fighting on multiple fronts, IS has suffered major losses but still controls significant territory in northern Syria, including its de facto capital Raqa.

Fateh al-Sham Front split in July 2016 from Al-Qaeda in a move analysts said was aimed at easing pressure from both Moscow and the US-led coalition which have regularly targeted its forces.

Many Syrian rebels have joined Fateh al-Sham, drawn by its financial means and organisational skills.

But there have been occasional tensions including this week when clashes erupted in northern Syria, leaving Fateh al-Sham battling a range of rebels including close ally Ahrar al-Sham.

The clashes prompted Ahrar al-Sham to warn the jihadists they should commit to the rebel cause or face being considered an enemy, like IS.

- The Kurds -

The Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) control about 20 percent of Syrian territory but as...
The Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) control about 20 percent of Syrian territory but as much as three-quarters of the northern border with Turkey
DELIL SOULEIMAN, AFP/File

Syria's Kurds have largely stayed out of the conflict between the government and armed opposition, carving out a semi-autonomous region in north and northeastern Syria.

Their People's Protection Units (YPG) have become a key partner of the US-led coalition fighting IS as part of the Kurdish-Arab Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The YPG controls about 20 percent of Syrian territory but as much as three-quarters of the northern border with Turkey. Two million people, around 12.5 percent of Syria's remaining population, live in Kurdish-held territory.

The SDF has launched a drawn-out offensive against IS's stronghold in Raqa.

Turkey began an offensive into Syria in August 2016 against IS and the YPG, which Ankara regards as the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) that has waged a 32-year insurrection inside Turkey.

- Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar -

Syria conflict
Syria conflict
Thomas SAINT-CRICQ, Paz PIZARRO, AFP

Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey have provided military and financial support to rebels fighting Assad, who belongs to the minority Alawite community linked to Shiite Islam.

Ahead of the Astana talks, co-hosts Turkey and Russia took steps to coordinate their involvement in Syria.

They brokered a fragile ceasefire between rebels and regime forces that took effect across Syria on December 30 but which excludes jihadists.

Earlier this month, Ankara and Moscow struck a deal to prevent clashes between their warplanes over Syria and on January 18 they launched their first joint air strike against IS there.

- International coalition -

A US F-16 fighter jet is pictured at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey  during operations in support of In...
A US F-16 fighter jet is pictured at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, during operations in support of Inherent Resolve
SR. Airman Krystal Ardrey, US AIR FORCE/AFP/File

A US-led coalition has carried out air strikes against IS and other jihadists in Syria since 2014.

The coalition's members include Australia, Bahrain, Britain, Canada, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

Russia, Iran and Turkey agreed to bolster a fragile truce in Syria after two days of talks in the Kazakh capital Astana aimed at ending the country’s nearly six-year war.

The three powers also agreed that armed rebel groups should take part in a new round of talks to be hosted by the United Nations in Geneva next month.

Here is a breakdown of the forces involved in the complex civil war:

– Regime and allies –

Syrian pro-government forces sit on a military vehicle driving past residents fleeing Aleppo in Nove...

Syrian pro-government forces sit on a military vehicle driving past residents fleeing Aleppo in November 2016
George OURFALIAN, AFP/File

The Syrian army’s 300,000-strong pre-war force has been halved by deaths, defections and draft-dodging.

It is bolstered by 150,000-200,000 irregulars and supported by 5,000-8,000 men from Lebanon’s Shiite militia Hezbollah, as well as by Iranian, Iraqi and Afghan fighters.

Key regime backer Russia began an air campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad in September 2015 and has helped Damascus recapture several key areas, including Aleppo city.

Iran has also provided major financial and military support to Assad.

The government controls 34 percent of Syria’s territory, including key cities such as Damascus and second city Aleppo. Of the 16 million Syrians who remain in the country, 65.5 percent live in regime territory.

– Rebels –

Fighters of the Free Syrian Army  a group which once regrouped Syria's rebel factions but has s...

Fighters of the Free Syrian Army, a group which once regrouped Syria's rebel factions but has since broken up, fire an anti-aircraft weapon from a rebel-held area of Aleppo in December 2016
STRINGER, AFP/File

Syria’s opposition comprises a wide range of factions, including moderate rebels and Islamist groups.

Estimates of its total number of forces range from tens of thousands up to around 100,000.

Early on, rebels coalesced under the banner of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), but since then the opposition has splintered.

The most powerful non-jihadist group is Ahrar al-Sham, with a commanding presence in Idlib and Aleppo provinces.

It espouses a hardline Islamist ideology and is allied with the jihadist Fateh al-Sham Front in Idlib where they lead the Army of Conquest alliance.

Another key opposition group is the Saudi-backed Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam). One of its leading figures, Mohammad Alloush, headed the opposition delegation in Astana.

Rebels now hold only around 13 percent of the country, including areas where they are allied with Fateh al-Sham, according to Syria expert Fabrice Balanche.

Around 12.5 percent of Syria’s remaining population lives in rebel-held territory.

– Jihadists –

A member of the Syrian pro-government forces carries an Islamic State group flag as he stands on a s...

A member of the Syrian pro-government forces carries an Islamic State group flag as he stands on a street in the ancient city of Palmyra after troops recaptured the city from IS jihadists
STR, AFP/File

There are two rival jihadist forces: the Islamic State group and former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front.

IS emerged from the chaos of the war to seize large parts of Syria and Iraq in mid-2014, declaring an Islamic “caliphate”, committing widespread atrocities and carrying out or inspiring deadly attacks abroad.

Under pressure from an air war launched two years ago by a US-led coalition and fighting on multiple fronts, IS has suffered major losses but still controls significant territory in northern Syria, including its de facto capital Raqa.

Fateh al-Sham Front split in July 2016 from Al-Qaeda in a move analysts said was aimed at easing pressure from both Moscow and the US-led coalition which have regularly targeted its forces.

Many Syrian rebels have joined Fateh al-Sham, drawn by its financial means and organisational skills.

But there have been occasional tensions including this week when clashes erupted in northern Syria, leaving Fateh al-Sham battling a range of rebels including close ally Ahrar al-Sham.

The clashes prompted Ahrar al-Sham to warn the jihadists they should commit to the rebel cause or face being considered an enemy, like IS.

– The Kurds –

The Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) control about 20 percent of Syrian territory but as...

The Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) control about 20 percent of Syrian territory but as much as three-quarters of the northern border with Turkey
DELIL SOULEIMAN, AFP/File

Syria’s Kurds have largely stayed out of the conflict between the government and armed opposition, carving out a semi-autonomous region in north and northeastern Syria.

Their People’s Protection Units (YPG) have become a key partner of the US-led coalition fighting IS as part of the Kurdish-Arab Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The YPG controls about 20 percent of Syrian territory but as much as three-quarters of the northern border with Turkey. Two million people, around 12.5 percent of Syria’s remaining population, live in Kurdish-held territory.

The SDF has launched a drawn-out offensive against IS’s stronghold in Raqa.

Turkey began an offensive into Syria in August 2016 against IS and the YPG, which Ankara regards as the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) that has waged a 32-year insurrection inside Turkey.

– Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar –

Syria conflict

Syria conflict
Thomas SAINT-CRICQ, Paz PIZARRO, AFP

Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey have provided military and financial support to rebels fighting Assad, who belongs to the minority Alawite community linked to Shiite Islam.

Ahead of the Astana talks, co-hosts Turkey and Russia took steps to coordinate their involvement in Syria.

They brokered a fragile ceasefire between rebels and regime forces that took effect across Syria on December 30 but which excludes jihadists.

Earlier this month, Ankara and Moscow struck a deal to prevent clashes between their warplanes over Syria and on January 18 they launched their first joint air strike against IS there.

– International coalition –

A US F-16 fighter jet is pictured at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey  during operations in support of In...

A US F-16 fighter jet is pictured at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, during operations in support of Inherent Resolve
SR. Airman Krystal Ardrey, US AIR FORCE/AFP/File

A US-led coalition has carried out air strikes against IS and other jihadists in Syria since 2014.

The coalition’s members include Australia, Bahrain, Britain, Canada, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

AFP
Written By

With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

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