Profile: Furqat Suqour al-Shamal (SNA)

This is a preview of future subscriber-only content: actor profiles that will initially focus on the several dozen factions of the Syrian National Army. I plan on continuously adding to such profiles after initial publication with updated materials as well as newly uncovered historical details. For example with regards to this profile of Suqour al-Shamal I will soon expand the ‘SNA history’ and ‘Leadership’ sections with more in-depth information and links to additional reading.

Furqat Suqour al-Shamal - فرقة صقور الشمال

‘Hawks of the North Division’

Until 2022: Liwa’ Suqour al-Shamal/لواء صقور الشمال/Kuzey Kartalları Tugayı/Kuzey Şahinleri (‘Hawks of the North Brigade’), additionally used the name ‘5th Division’ during Op. Olive Branch (2018)

Basic information:

• Founded in September 2016 during Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield as a splinter from Idlib-based Liwa’ Suqour al-Jabal

• SNA member since the announcement of its formation on December 30 2017

• Moderate size, claims to field 2,500 fighters

Leadership:

Hasan Hajj ‘Ali Khayriyah

• General Commander

• b. 1977 in Kansafrah, Idlib

• Defected from the Syrian Arab Army in 2012

(source)