Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 06/2014

The Free Syrian Army

Elizabeth O'Bagy

March 2013

Institute for the Study of War

Abstract

Fragmentation and disorganization have plagued Syria’s armed opposition since peaceful protestors took up arms in December 2011 and began forming rebel groups under the umbrella of the Free Syrian Army. A lack of unity has made cooperation and coordination difficult on the battlefield and has limited the effectiveness of rebel operations.