Kata'ib Humat al-Diyar
| Kata'ib Humat al-Diyar | |
|---|---|
| كتائب حماة الديار | |
| Leader | Nazih Jarbou |
| Foundation | 2012 |
| Dates of operation | 2012-? |
| Country | Ba'athist Syria |
| Allegiance | Ba'athist Syria |
| Headquarters | Suwayda |
| Active regions | Suwayda Governorate |
| Ideology | Assadism |
| Size | 2000[1] |
| Allies | |
| Opponents | |
| Battles and wars | |
| Flag | |
Kata'ib Humat al-Diyar (Arabic: كتائب حماة الديار) is a Syrian Druze militant organization in Suwayda Governorate.
History
The group was founded in 2012 and is led by Nazih Jarbou, who is related to Youssef Jarbou, one of three Druze Sheikhs al-Aql in Syria. The group has a loyal stance with Ba'athist Syria. In addition, the group participated "in other forms of local outreach, such as hosting local sheikhs for meetings"[1] and has the full support of the sheikh of the Druze Unitary Community, Youssef Jarbou, and is directly affiliated with the sheikh.[4]
The group displaced Bedouin tribes along with other pro-Assad factions due to sectarian tensions.[5]
The faction fought against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in May 2015, near Al Ḩaqf with the support of the Men of Dignity.[1] During the 2015 Daraa and As-Suwayda offensive, the group had support and funding from Ba'athist Syria and Druze groups in Lebanon.[3] The following year, it collaborated with other pro-Assad factions in the 2016 Quneitra offensive.[1]
It manned checkpoints in Suwayda Governorate.[6]
The group was empowered in 2019 by the General Intelligence Directorate to negotiate with a gang of kidnappers from Al-Ariqah; the decision was criticized by "activists and residents".[7]
The following year, it fought against the Eighth Brigade in September 2020 alongside various Druze groups, including the Sheikh al-Karama Forces and the Al-Fahd Forces, in addition to the National Defence Forces.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Kata'ib Humat al-Diyar: A Prominent Loyalist Militia in Suwayda'". Middle East Forum. 26 November 2016. Archived from the original on 13 June 2025. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
- ^ a b c d Ihsan Muhammad (29 September 2020). "Dozens killed and injured due to clashes in Suwayda, southern Syria". North Press Agency. Daraa. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
- ^ a b c Ezzi, Mazen (22 September 2015). "The Druze of Suwayda: The Embers of Dissent". Al-Jumhuriya. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
- ^ "السويداء تسأل: من فتح لـ"داعش" أبواب المحافظة؟". Daraj (in Arabic). 25 July 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ "هل أنشأ النظام السوري مجلساً لعشائر البدو في درعا والسويداء؟". The New Arab (in Arabic). 30 October 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ Khaf, Ammar (28 January 2017). "The Security Situation in Syria and Ways to Manage It". Omran Strategic Studies. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ Marouf, Jibran (31 August 2019). "Syrian Governmental efforts to settle with a famous kidnapping gang in As-Suwayda". North Press Agency. As-Suwayda. Retrieved 7 December 2025.