Ansar al-Aqida

Not to be confused with Saraya Ansar al-Aqeeda.

Ansar al-Aqida (Arabic: حركة أنصار العقيدة, romanized: harakat 'ansar aleaqida)^[a] is a militant organization in Aleppo and Latakia

Ansar al-Aqida
Founder	Abu Mohammed al-Halabi
Leaders	Abu Mohammed al-Halabi Abu Layeyth  †
Foundation	2013
Country	Syria
Allegiance	Free Syrian Army
Group(s)	Abu Layeyth's militia
Headquarters	Aleppo
Active regions	Aleppo Governorate Idlib Governorate Latakia Governorate
Ideology	Jihadism[1]
Allies	Abu Layeyth's militia Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement Sham Legion Mujahideen Army
Opponents	Ba'athist Syria
Battles and wars	Syrian civil war Battle of Aleppo (2012-2016) 2013 Latakia offensive
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History

It was founded in 2013 by Abu Mohammed al-Halabi, a militant member of Jabhat al-Nusra, who fought in Aleppo, Idlib and Latakia.^[2]

Tunnels were built to infiltrate Latakia led by Abu Asaad along with the Syrian Arab Armed Forces.^[2]

Explosives were launched towards Ba'athist Syria territories. Abu Layeyth, a leader of a faction close to Ansar al-Aqida, detonated a suicide bomb to aid in the 2013 Latakia offensive.^[2]

The group enforces laws and operates prisons, where the penalty for insulting Muhammad is to be called an "Infidel". Failure to repent results in loss of all possessions. After a third infraction, the infidel is beheaded.^[2]

The group detonated a bomb in Aleppo together with Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement, Sham Legion and Mujahideen Army.^[3]

Notes

1. Also called Ansar al-Aqeeda and Ansar al-Aqidah.