Rebel forces are armed groups that oppose the rule of the state in a given territory. Whether hailed as valiant liberators or condemned as dangerous insurgents, these forces have redrew national boundaries, challenged empires, and inspired both hope and fear. From the jungles of Latin America to the deserts of Africa, their storied legacies are part of our shared history.
When faced with a rebellion, the first policy for any government is to force an unconditional cessation of violence from the enemy armed group. If that policy fails or proves insufficient within the time and resources deemed reasonable, then other policies must be pursued. Those other policies must still seek to do what the first one failed to achieve, namely destroy the enemy armed group.
The most powerful rebel force in Syria is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an alliance of groups that includes both secular military units and Islamist militias. It is led by Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who was a commander for the former Al Qaeda official affiliate in Syria, Jabhat al-Nusra, before that group renounced ties with the global organization. The United States and other Western countries have designated HTS a foreign terrorist organization, and placed a $10 million bounty on Jolani’s head.
When it comes to rebel forces, the best example is probably the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the largest guerrilla army in the world. Their bloody campaign against French colonial rule set a precedent for African independence movements and influenced anti-colonial thinking worldwide.
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