Abu Ali Bard

Jaysh al-Thuwar In an interview explaining why he decided to join the Syrian Democratic Forces, he said it was after the battles in Kobani and in Tel Abyad that he was impressed with the military unity and organization among the groups that took part in those battles that went on to form SDF, in comparison to the disunity and infighting among the rest of the rebels.

After the formation of Jaysh al-Thuwar in 2016 he commanded the group in its assault against other rebel groups in northern Aleppo alongside the Kurdish YPG under the then newly formed SDF coalition, taking control of Tell Rifaat and the Menagh Military Airbase that had been held by the rebels since capturing it from the Syrian government in 2013.

In May 2019, in response to the beginning of a Syrian government offensive backed by Russia, Hezbollah and Iran, Jaysh al-Thuwar released a statement saying the group would take part in the defense of Idlib, where Bard originates from and fight against an Iranian-Shiite invasion.