Rebel forces are polities that use armed conflict to oppose established governments for political change. They may also seek to establish, maintain or gain independence. The list below consists of active rebel groups who control territory (town, city, village, hamlet or defined area) which might be contested and fluctuate under the circumstance of conflict.
Almost 3,000 years of history shows that rebellions and revolts are most effective when their leaders can control the body count – and this means killing as many people as possible, both civilians and soldiers. This is a fundamental tenet of military strategy.
The recent offensive by rebels in Syria has captured large swathes of the country, including Aleppo, its largest city. This was largely due to the efforts of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) commander and founder Abu Mohammed al-Jolani. He is seeking to position himself as a figurehead for post-Assad life in Syria and is trying to distance his group from both Islamic State and Al Qaeda.
While HTS has been lauded for its victory, its record on human rights is poor. It has been accused of numerous abuses, most notably in its treatment of civilians, particularly women. It is also been implicated in the illegal trade of antiquities and the smuggling of ivory and rhino horn. The Enough Project has documented concerns that well-armed rebel militias are involved in poaching, as do reports by CITES and the Congolese government. The rebels are backed by Turkey, which has provided weapons and support for them.
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