Al-Fahd Forces
Pro-Assad group
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Al-Fahd Forces, also translated as the Panther Forces,[3] were a government-aligned faction in Syria during the Syrian civil war which was led by Salim Humeid.
| Al-Fahd Forces | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | Salim Humeid |
| Dates of operation | 2020–2025 |
| Merged into | National Guard |
| Headquarters | Qanawat, Suwayda, Syria[1] |
| Size | 50[2] |
| Allies |  Raji Falhout group[3] Sheikh al-Karama Forces Kata'ib Humat al-Diyar National Defence Forces[4] |
| Opponents | Men of Dignity[5] Al-Jabal Brigade[6] Eighth Brigade[4] Anti-Terrorism Force[7] Syrian Arab Armed Forces National Defence Forces[8] |
| Battles and wars | |
History
The Al-Fahd Forces aligned with various Druze groups, including Sheikh al-Karama Forces, Kata'ib Humat al-Diyar, Ma’an Zahreddin group, Karem Ubaid group, and Usoud al-Jabal group, in addition to the National Defence Forces (NDF), in September 2020 while fighting against the Eighth Brigade.[4]
The group cooperated with protestors in blocking the Damascus-Suwayda Highway following the outbreak of protests in February 2022 in Suwayda Governorate,[9] primarily over the increase in costs after the removal of subsidies by the state.[10]
Salim Humeid announced in late July 2022 that his group would withdraw its weapons, in response to the Al-Jabal Brigade giving the group 24 hours to give up its weapons.[11]
Laith al-Balous, the Al-Jabal Brigade and the Anti-Terrorism Force launched a "security campaign" against the Al-Fahd Forces and the Raji Falhout group in Qanawat on 11 August 2022.[7]
Humeid's brother, as well as Salim al-Qan’abani, were arrested on 11 August 2022.[12] Humeid turned himself in to the leader of the Al-Jabal Brigade, Murhij al-Jarmani, who released him.[13] This took place at the request of a Druze spiritual authority, which inflamed tensions.[7]
Humeid initially agreed to abide by a proposed reconciliation agreement, but he opened fire after his release.[14]
The faction joined the National Guard in August 2025.[15]