by the Levant Front, which accused him of affiliation with both al-Qaeda and the Democratic Union Party (PYD), and was tortured. The Levant Front then handed him over to Turkish security forces, who interrogated him. After being released soon after, Khallo protested against his unit's treatment and criticized that Turkey was apparently only interested in using the Syrian militias to further its own strategic goals. He also said that his unit, now without weapons, would set up a political party. A remnant of the militia continued to be active and cooperate with Turkey, however, though now known simply as "Saladin Brigade" and led by Mohammed Hawash. This faction participated in the Turkish-led offensive against the SDF in the Afrin Region, stating that "the operation in Afrin paves the way for the liberation of the remaining Syrian lands from any form of terrorism". See also List of armed groups in the Syrian Civil War Saladin Ayubi Brigade Azadî Battalion References Anti-ISIL factions in Syria Free Syrian Army Military units and formations established in 2015 Anti-government factions of the Syrian civil war Syrian Kurdish organizations Military units and formations disestablished in 2017 Turkish supported militant groups of the Syrian civil war