Syrian Liberation Front

The Syrian Liberation Front (جبهة تحرير سوريا, Jabhat Tahrir Suriya) is a Syrian rebel group formed as a merger of Ahrar al-Sham and the Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement, two hardline Sunni Islamist groups and the two largest rebel groups in northwestern Syria behind their main rival, Tahrir al-Sham. In its formation statement on 18 February 2018, the Syrian Liberation Front called on other rebel groups to join it, and stated that it was formed as a result of an initiative by the Syrian Islamic Council. Ahrar al-Sham factions operating outside of the greater Idlib area appear not to be included in this merger, as they still operate under the banner of Ahrar al-Sham.

Leadership
Initially, Jaber Ali Pasha, deputy commander of Ahrar al-Sham, was nominated as the general commander of the Syrian Liberation Front. Sheikh Tawfiq Shahabuddin, commander of the Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement, was named the deputy commander. Hussam Atrash and Captain Khalid Abu Yaman were appointed as the political and military commanders of the group. After hours of disputes over leadership positions, however, Hassan Soufan, general commander of Ahrar al-Sham, took over as the general commander of the group, replacing Jaber Ali Pasha.

History
On 19 February 2018, the day after the Syrian Liberation Front was established, violent clashes erupted between the group and Tahrir al-Sham in the western Aleppo Governorate. The conflict soon spread to the Idlib Governorate and the SLF captured the city of Maarrat al-Nu'man, the towns of Ariha and Tramla, and the Wadi Deif military base from HTS on 21 February.