French nationals have reportedly joined Islamist factions in the Syrian conflict, with recent footage showing fighters declaring victories in cities like Hama. Notably, around fifty French adults are part of the ‘Foreign Brigade,’ which is well-organized and includes members from various nationalities. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham controls many groups, including those linked to Omar Omsen, who has faced legal issues but remains influential. The involvement of these fighters in the regime’s downfall is still under investigation.
French Nationals in the Syrian Conflict
Are French citizens involved among the Islamist factions that contributed to the downfall of the Assad regime in Syria? Recent footage shared by journalist Wassim Nasr from France 24 indicates that this might be the case. In the videos, Islamist fighters are shown overtaking cities such as Hama, with one fighter speaking in French, declaring, “Allah Akbar, even the Christians, they are happy, even the Christians, they celebrate. All together, hamdoulillah. Sunday, mass day. No time to go to mass, the mujahideen have just entered the village, machallah,” while capturing the reactions of local residents.
The Rise of the ‘Foreign Brigade’
In another clip filmed in Hama, Nasr points out the presence of French fighters aligned with Omar Omsen’s faction, which operates within the ranks of Ansar al-Tawhid, alongside other international fighters. This group, established by Nice native Omar Omsen, stands out as particularly appealing to French nationals seeking to join the conflict in Syria, as noted by anti-terror prosecutor Olivier Christen in an interview with RTL.
Current estimates suggest that around fifty French adults are involved with Firkatul Ghuraba, commonly referred to as the ‘Foreign Brigade.’ These figures, reported in 2023 by Le Monde and corroborated by a source close to TF1-LCI, reveal that this brigade is “better organized” than other groups, with members who speak French, including Belgians. They have reportedly acquired weaponry and may be poised to resume operations. According to Arthur Quesnay, a political science expert at CNRS, “HTS controlled them, and some, including Omar Omsen, have faced imprisonment for various crimes. Nevertheless, it appears HTS has sought their involvement again. Recent sightings have confirmed the presence of around ten French fighters in Hama, but the fate of the others remains uncertain.”
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) exerts control over most groups in the coalition. Following the ceasefire in March 2020, which halted the Syrian regime’s military actions against Idlib, HTS managed to dismantle or integrate independent extremist factions operating in the area they claim as their territory, according to the NGO Counter Extremism Project.
According to sources linked to police and justice services, 116 French nationals were indeed located in the Idlib region. Intelligence assessments have suggested that approximately thirty of these individuals are associated with HTS, although it remains unclear whether they played a role in the regime’s collapse. Additionally, the suspect involved in the murder of Samuel Paty was reportedly connected via social media and encrypted messaging platforms to two suspected HTS members in Idlib.
While Omar Omsen’s group is notably popular among French fighters, it is Ansar al-Tawhid (Aat) that specifically focuses on recruiting foreign combatants, as highlighted by expert Wassim Nasr. Originally linked to Al-Qaeda and now part of the military wing of HTS, this group is recognized within the French jihadist community. Notably, its Telegram channel was utilized by one of the terrorists responsible for the murder of Father Jacques Hamel in July 2016.
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