Following on with this series on units of the Local Defence Forces (LDF), we now turn to Fawj Sheikh al-Jabal ("The Mountain Sheikh Regiment"). The name of this group refers to its leader Ali Tawfiq al-Assad, who is part of the extended al-Assad family in Latakia.
Fawj Sheikh al-Jabal was formed around 4 years ago. From the beginning, the group has been affiliated with the LDF and has worked with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Although the group has a centre based in the Qardaha area of Latakia, Fawj Sheikh al-Jabal was originally stationed in Idlib province. After the province almost entirely fell under the control of the insurgents in 2015, Fawj Sheikh al-Jabal retreated and regrouped along with other contingents in the Tizin area to the west of Hama city.
 Members of Fawj Sheikh al-Jabal |
 Emblem of Fawj Sheikh al-Jabal. On top: "Soldiers of Assad: Local Defence Forces (The Friends)." On bottom: "Fawj Sheikh al-Jabal." |
Fawj Sheikh al-Jabal has recruits from a variety of areas of Syria and has fought in a number of places including Aleppo, north Hama countryside and (like many LDF units) the Albukamal area in Deir az-Zor on the borders between Syria and Iraq.