The U.S.-backed Syria Free Army is fighting against ISIS. Why would they ask a former ISIS leader to lead them?

From The National Pulse. The Syria Free Army (SFA), a militia backed by the United States government, made headlines on February 29, 2024, with the appointment of Colonel Salem Turki al-Antari, a former ISIS leader, as its commander.

View Comments (3)

This content is supported by your donations.
Give today.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the SFA expressed optimism about the leadership and fresh perspectives al-Antari would bring to their organization. They reaffirmed their commitment to combat Da’esh, also known as ISIS, and to work towards securing and stabilizing the region.

Al-Antari’s history is marked by his involvement with ISIS, where he played significant roles in various attacks and battles between 2015 and 2017. Subsequently, he aligned with the Syrian National Army (SNA), a coalition supported by Turkey. After the capture of Raqqa by US-backed Kurdish forces in 2017, al-Antari joined the Maghawir al-Thawra militant group, which later merged with the US-sponsored SFA in 2019, operating from the Al-Tanf American base.

The US government has been actively training these militia groups with the primary goal of combating ISIS. However, concerns persist over the presence of active ISIS cells in the Syrian desert near the Al-Tanf base. Russian and Syrian authorities have accused the US of providing logistical support to ISIS in these regions.

Does this appointment signify a shift in the fight against terror? Does it raise concerns about potential alliances? Share your thoughts and join the conversation!

(Summarized from The National Pulse. Photo Credit: South_agency/Getty Images Signature via Canva Pro)