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Details of Turkish-backed Factions' Involvement in Syrian Coastal Events
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The presence of thousands of Syrian fighters in Libya and Africa reflects Ankara's exploitation of the Syrian crisis to achieve its own interests at the expense of the Syrian people's aspirations for
A Western European official revealed to "The Magazine" the involvement of three factions, including groups linked to Turkey, in the violations witnessed in the Syrian coastal region between March 6-10, 2025, indicating that these groups send fighters to areas outside Syria.
The official explained that the Turkmen groups affiliated with the "Syrian National Army" - namely "Sultan Suleiman Shah Division," "Hamza Division," and "Sultan Murad Division" - are considered among the most prominent parties accused of participating in the violations. He indicated that these factions "received clear Turkish support since 2016-2017, coinciding with the joining of the Turkish 'Nationalist Movement Party,' known for its extreme nationalist orientations, to the government" in Ankara.
These violations came after Brigadier General Ghiyath Dala, a former leader in the "Fourth Division" led by Maher, brother of deposed President Bashar al-Assad, announced a rebellion against the new Syrian administration in the Syrian coast. Sources reported that Dala has close ties with Iran and "Hezbollah" and was the liaison between them and Maher al-Assad during the years of war.
According to the diplomatic official, members of the three factions are closely related to Turkish intelligence, "as these factions participated in Turkish military operations against the 'ISIS' organization and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) between 2016 and 2019, including taking control of the Kurdish-majority city of Afrin in rural Aleppo, where they were accused of committing violations against civilians."
The leaders of "Sultan Suleiman Shah Division" and "Hamza Division" have been subject to US Treasury Department sanctions since 2023, due to violations committed by their members, especially during the "Olive Branch" operation that targeted Kurdish residents in Afrin.
These factions receive their funding from Turkey, in addition to other resources from various forms of smuggling, imposing taxes on farmers and olive oil producers, and border crossing revenues, according to the European official.
The influence of these factions extends beyond Syrian territory, as Turkey has used them in military operations in Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Niger. The diplomatic official says: "The presence of Syrian mercenaries in the African continent is considered one of the most important tools of Turkish foreign policy, especially in Libya."
