Liwa al-Tawhid: Aleppo's Rebel Brigade

In July 2012, Liwa al-Tawhid spearheaded Operation Volcano of Aleppo (also called Operation Aleppo Liberation), coordinated with FSA factions across the city. The offensive began July 19, 2012 and within ten days rebel forces controlled roughly half the city — a stunning development. Abdulqadir Saleh became the face of the Aleppo rebellion, appearing in media and coordinating with other FSA commanders. The brigade's fighters were primarily from Aleppo's rural hinterland (Liwa al-Tawhid had deep roots in the Marea area north of Aleppo). According to journalists embedded with the rebels at the time, including correspondents from the Guardian and New York Times, the fighters were motivated primarily by Syrian nationalism and desire to end Assad's rule — not global jihad. The battle for Aleppo would last four more years, with Liwa al-Tawhid's successors ultimately defeated.