Abu Omar al-Idlibi
Syrian military leader
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Absi al-Taha (Arabic: عبسي الطه), better known by his nom de guerre Abu Omar al-Idlibi (Arabic: أبو عمر الإدلبي), is a Syrian military leader who is a commander of the Northern Democratic Brigade of the Syrian Democratic Forces, leading the group in the Raqqa Governorate.[3]
Ba'athist Syria (2011)[1]
Syrian opposition (2011–2024)
Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (2015–present)Absi al-Taha | |
|---|---|
![](#/media/File:Absi_Taha_("Abu_Omar_al-Idlibi").png) al-Idlibi in 2018 | |
| Native name | Arabic: عبسي الطه |
| Other name | Abu Omar al-Idlibi (Arabic: أبو عمر الإدلبي) |
| Born | |
| Allegiance | Ba'athist Syria (2011)[1] Syrian opposition (2011–2024) Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (2015–present) |
| Branch |  Syrian Arab Army (2011) Free Syrian Army (2011–2024) Syrian Democratic Forces (2015–present) |
| Service years | 2011–present |
| Unit |
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| Commands |
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| Conflicts | Syrian Civil War |
Pre-war
Prior to the Syrian Civil War, Abu Omar al-Idlibi worked as a construction developer.[1]
Syrian Civil War
With the start of the Syrian Civil War in 2011, al-Idlibi was conscripted into the Syrian Arab Army to lead a tank platoon as a second lieutenant. He and his unit defected to the Free Syrian Army when his village in the Idlib Governorate was attacked.[1]
In July 2014, al-Idlibi accused the al-Nusra Front of committing massacres in the Darkush area of western Idlib, citing the killing and beheading of a FSA fighter by al-Nusra fighters in the village of al-Ghafir.[4]
In August 2017, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham executed Osama al-Khader, commander of the Decisive Storm Brigade of the 21st Combined Forces, on charges including collaboration with al-Idlibi to conduct espionage and sabotage against HTS and other groups in Idlib.[5]
The human rights group Syrians for Truth and Justice reported that the Northern Democratic Brigade confiscated dozens of deserted and unused houses in Raqqa from February 2020.[6] When some owners returned to the city to request the return of their properties to reclaim or sell them, Abu Omar al-Idlibi and the unit refused to return the houses, citing their previous non-usage and the need to provide a place to live for the brigade's families.[3]
Post-Assad era
As the commander of the Northern Democratic Brigade affiliated with the SDF, al-Idlibi stated via his account on X, on 18 February 2025, announced that a meeting held between the SDF, the Syrian Democratic Council (MSD), and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) resulted in a decision to integrate the security institutions belonging to the SDF and the Autonomous Administration into the structure of the Syrian army led by the new government.[7]
In an interview with Rudaw Media Network in October 2025, he said the US-backed SDF "will become part of the formations of the new Syrian army. They will be integrated as three military formations [units] and several independent brigades, including a brigade for the Women's Protection Units".[8]