23rd Division (Syrian rebel group)

23rd Division
23rd Division
Arabic: الفرقة 23
	Fighters of the 23rd Division, led by Col. Abu Mustafa, during the Turkish military operation in Afrin in February 2018. The group's flag can be seen in the background.
Leaders	Colonel Hassan Rajoub (Abu Omar, since July 2016); Col. Abu Mustafa; Abu al-Joud al-Homsi; Former: Col. Suleyman Shalal; Khaled Saraj ("Khaled Hayani") † (2013–15); Abdul Khaliq Lahyani (resigned in July 2016);
Dates of operation	19 September 2013 – 25 July 2016 (16th Division); July 2016 – 8 August 2020 (23rd Division Aleppo branch only)
Group(s)	Badr Martyrs' Brigade; Descendents of Omar Battalions; Lions of the Revolution Brigade; Mustafa Martyrs Brigade; Hawks of Islam Battalions; Former: Yusuf al-'Azma Brigade; Saladin Ayubi Brigade; Free Syria Brigade Arab Spring Brigade; ; Al-Aqsa Brigade;
Headquarters	Khalidiya District, Aleppo (2013–16); Qah, Idlib Governorate (2016–18); Azaz and Afrin, northern Aleppo Governorate (2018–20)
Active regions	Aleppo Governorate and northern Idlib Governorate, Syria
Size	+1,600 (own claim in 2014)
Part of	Syrian National Army National Front for Liberation; Fatah Halab (2015–16)
Allies	Ahrar al-Sham; Mountain Hawks Brigade; Knights of Justice Brigade; Levant Front (until August 2020); Fastaqim Union; Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement; Turkey; Al-Nusra Front/Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (sometimes);
Opponents	Syrian Armed Forces; Hezbollah; Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant; Syrian Democratic Forces; Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (sometimes); Levant Front (August 2020);
Battles and wars	Syrian Civil War Battle of Aleppo Aleppo offensive (October–December 2013); Aleppo offensive (July 2015); Aleppo offensive (October–December 2015); Northern Aleppo offensive (February 2016); Aleppo offensive (June–July 2016); ; Al-Nusra Front-SRF/Hazzm Movement conflict; Turkish military operation in Afrin;

The 23rd Division (Arabic: الفرقة 23) or 16th Infantry Division (Arabic: الفرقة 16 مشاة) was a Syrian rebel group affiliated with the Free Syrian Army. Formed in September 2013, the group was active mainly in the city Aleppo and its surroundings. After rebel lines in Aleppo collapsed due to advances by the Syrian Army during the Battle of Aleppo in mid-2016, the 16th Division suffered heavy casualties and was dissolved. Remnants of the group then formed the 23rd Division (Arabic: الفرقة 23). The Syrian National Army faction of the group in northern Aleppo was disbanded after its leadership was attacked by the Levant Front in August 2020, with its other members were transferred to other groups under the SNA's 3rd Legion.

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