Iranian Security Forces:37   Reportedly supplying Syrian Intelligence with equipment and expertise Defectors report the use of snipers to contain protests Anti-Government Forces38 Farouk Brigade (Liwa al-Farouq):   Based mostly in Homs, with some presence in Daraa and also in parts of Idlib near the Turkish border Notably fought during the February 2012 siege of Baba Amr Free Syrian Army (FSA) TawhidBrigade (Liwa al-Tawhid): Logo of FSA    Formed in July 2012 in Aleppo Known for its conservative Islamist orientation Primarily involved in the battle of Aleppo, beginning August 2012 Idlib Martyrs’ Brigade (LiwaShahuda’ Idlib) Flag of Syrian National Coalition   Formed in March 2012 Only operates in Idlib Province and its countryside National Unity Brigades (Kata’ib al-Wahda al-Wataniya)   Most active in the Damascus countryside, Idlib, Suweida, and Hama and its countryside Secular orientation Salah al-Din al-AyyubiBrigade (LiwaSalah al-Din al-Ayyubi)     Operate under the banner of the Free Syrian Army and Supreme Kurdish Military Council Formed in May 2012 Members include Arabs and Turkmen Mostly active in Aleppo and surrounding countryside Jihadists Known for using the shahada as a symbol Al-Nusra Front (Jabhat al-Nusra)     Widely believed to have links to al-Qaeda in Iraq Mostly based in Aleppo and Deir-EzZor; also has a presence in the Damascus suburbs and Homs Presence in Syria from around Oct 2011 Known for suicide operations at checkpoints and regime outposts 29