Since the last update on HTS' auxiliary force, the Popular Resistance Companies (PRC), in August, the grouping has been very active at publishing its activities. Several new conferences, community events, lectures, and new units have been showcased on its social media channels.
Beginning with conferences and community events, the PRC has been at the forefront of promoting HTS' new fundraising and recruiting drive "Wage Jihad with Your Soul" (جاهد بنفسك). Events with tribal elders, kids, and others have taken place all across Idlib and parts of Aleppo in recent weeks. Both PRC's YouTube channel and HTS' Al Ebaa News have regularly showcased these events since early September.
It is likely that HTS is attempting to recruit new members into both its normal forces, as well as into the PRC auxiliary.
In terms of new lectures, the PRC has also posted videos featuring Abdul Razzaq al Mahdi and Abu Islam al Hamawi. Both Al Mahdi and Al Hamawi were members of the "Assembly of al Sham Scholars" collective of various jihadist ideologues that attempted to form an independent judiciary authority in rebel-held territories in northern Syria. Many of these members, which also included Saudi Abdallah al Muhaysini and the Egyptian Abu Harith al Masri, have long pedigrees in jihad.
Abdul Razzaq al Mahdi, who is ideologically linked to al Qaeda, was formerly part of HTS in 2017 but eventually left the group later that year. Hamawi has been featured in propaganda released by Ahrar al Sham in the past, but on his Facebook page claims to have never belonged to any faction. Nevertheless, the two have been featured within HTS propaganda, as well as propaganda released by other groups, over the last few years.
Turning to new units added to the PRC, this includes:
Southern Region Sub-committee:
Hama Company
Martyrs of Al Ghab Company
Martyrs of Hama Countryside Company
Northern Region Sub-committee:
Hayyan Company
Anadan Company
Martyrs of Salwah Company*
Eastern Region Sub-committee:
Al Wala' Allah Company
Jabal al Zawiya Sub-committee:
Telmenas Company
Tribal Companies or Unknown Location:
Ahrar Naeem Company
Kanisat Bani Ezz Company
The full organizational chart can be found below. Analyst Jens Hittrien has also made a fantastic chart of the PRC's structure, which can be viewed here.
*The Martyrs of Salwah Company was featured in an unofficial video released online and not by the PRC's main outlets. The company has nonetheless been added to the organizational structure pending more information.
- Caleb
Beginning with conferences and community events, the PRC has been at the forefront of promoting HTS' new fundraising and recruiting drive "Wage Jihad with Your Soul" (جاهد بنفسك). Events with tribal elders, kids, and others have taken place all across Idlib and parts of Aleppo in recent weeks. Both PRC's YouTube channel and HTS' Al Ebaa News have regularly showcased these events since early September.
It is likely that HTS is attempting to recruit new members into both its normal forces, as well as into the PRC auxiliary.
In terms of new lectures, the PRC has also posted videos featuring Abdul Razzaq al Mahdi and Abu Islam al Hamawi. Both Al Mahdi and Al Hamawi were members of the "Assembly of al Sham Scholars" collective of various jihadist ideologues that attempted to form an independent judiciary authority in rebel-held territories in northern Syria. Many of these members, which also included Saudi Abdallah al Muhaysini and the Egyptian Abu Harith al Masri, have long pedigrees in jihad.
Abdul Razzaq al Mahdi, who is ideologically linked to al Qaeda, was formerly part of HTS in 2017 but eventually left the group later that year. Hamawi has been featured in propaganda released by Ahrar al Sham in the past, but on his Facebook page claims to have never belonged to any faction. Nevertheless, the two have been featured within HTS propaganda, as well as propaganda released by other groups, over the last few years.
Turning to new units added to the PRC, this includes:
Southern Region Sub-committee:
Hama Company
Martyrs of Al Ghab Company
Martyrs of Hama Countryside Company
Northern Region Sub-committee:
Hayyan Company
Anadan Company
Martyrs of Salwah Company*
Eastern Region Sub-committee:
Al Wala' Allah Company
Jabal al Zawiya Sub-committee:
Telmenas Company
Tribal Companies or Unknown Location:
Ahrar Naeem Company
Kanisat Bani Ezz Company
The full organizational chart can be found below. Analyst Jens Hittrien has also made a fantastic chart of the PRC's structure, which can be viewed here.
*The Martyrs of Salwah Company was featured in an unofficial video released online and not by the PRC's main outlets. The company has nonetheless been added to the organizational structure pending more information.
- Caleb