On February 29, 2024, the Syria Free Army (SFA), appointed a former ISIS leader to serve as its commander. The SFA is a militia that receives support from the United States government and is trained inside the US’s Al-tanf base in eastern Syria.
“Today, the Syrian Free Army conducted a change of command and welcomed a new commander of the SFA. We thank COL Farid al-Qasim for 16 months of dedicated service to the SFA, the local community, and the 55-kilometer area,” the SFA declared on February 29 through its Facebook page.
“We are excited for the new opportunities that [Colonel Salem Turki al-Antari] will bring to the SFA and the leadership he will provide. This step continues the SFA mission in the Region to secure and stabilize the 55 and defeat Da’esh (ISIS),” the statement continued.
An SFA spokesman informed the Syrian news outlet Enab Baladi that the change in leadership was a normal occurrence and not the product of a dispute or internal political squabble.