group-telegram.com/islam_answers/4139
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1. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) – Sunni Salafi-jihadist, linked to al-Qaeda.
2. Free Syrian Army (FSA) & Turkish-backed factions (SNA) – Sunni, backed by Türkiye.
3. ISIS (Islamic State in Syria) – Sunni Salafi-jihadist, globally unapologetic.
4. Ahrar al-Sham – Sunni Salafi-jihadist, former ally of HTS.
5. Jaish al-Islam – Sunni Islamist, Salafi-influenced.
6. Failaq al-Sham – Sunni Islamist, Türkiye-aligned.
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1. Syrian Government Forces (SAA) – Alawite-dominated (a sect of Shia Islam).
2. Hezbollah (Lebanon) – Shia, backed by the Islamic regime.
3. IRGC-backed militias – Shia fighters from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
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Russia Allies:
Syrian Government Forces (SAA)
Hezbollah (indirectly, as part of the pro-Assad coalition)
IRGC-backed militias (also part of the pro-Assad coalition)
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Opposes:
Sunni Islamist groups, including HTS, ISIS, and Turkish-backed factions.
Occasionally clashes diplomatically with Türkiye, though they coordinate on certain areas like northern Syria.
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Shia Alliances:
Syrian Government Forces, Hezbollah, IRGC-backed militias, and Russia are allied under a pro-Assad, anti-opposition coalition.
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Sunni Alliances:
FSA, Turkish-backed factions, and Failaq al-Sham are allied under Türkiye’s leadership.
HTS and Ahrar al-Sham have cooperated but often clash.
ISIS is isolated, fighting both Sunni and Shia groups.
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Russia and Türkiye:
Uneasy coordination but conflicting interests (e.g., Türkiye opposes Assad, whom Russia supports).