Zenki has cooperated with extremists groups like Jabhat al-Nusra and Ahrar al-Sham since early on in the Syrian civil war. Zenki even fought alongside ISIS during the battle of Minnagh Airbase in Aleppo province in 2013. Minnagh Airbase had been under rebel siege for almost a year before the final assault led by ISIS finally managed to capture it. ISIS began the assault by detonating a VBIED (vehicle borne improvised explosive device) based on a BMP-1 at the gates of Minnagh Airbase.
ISIS VBIED that was driven into and subsequently detonated inside Minnagh Airbase.
VBIED detonation filmed from what is described as a Zenki position outside the airbase. This is clear proof of cooperation between the two groups.
Liwa al-Tawhid (Tawhid Brigades) view of the VBIED detonation. At the time of the Minnagh battle, Zenki was a unit fighting under Liwa al-Tawhid. Liwa al-Tawhid would disintegrate in the years that followed, with many of its fighters joining Zenki.
ISIS fighters stormed the airbase after the VBIED detonated, resulting in its fall.
In the months leading up to the final assault led by ISIS, Zenki filmed its fighters using ATGMs to target Syrian Government tanks inside the airbase.
Zenki also used ATGMs to attacks Syrian Army tanks in Brigade 66 base in Hama. ISIS Stormed the base immediately after.
Zenki's cooperation with ISIS in 2013 was not seen as a problem for the CIA, who labeled Zenki "vetted moderates" and supplied them with BGM-71 TOW anti-tank guided missiles starting in 2014 and continuing into 2016. These were more advanced than the ATGMs Zenki used at Minnagh Airbase.
In July of 2016, Zenki fought alongside Jabhat al-Nusra/al-Qaeda in Aleppo. The two groups launched a joint counteroffensive on Mallah Farms in a desperate attempt to push back the advancing Syrian Army.
Nusra/AQ T-55 tank used to shell Mallah Farms. Image released by AQ's Al-Manara Al-Bayda media network.
A Nusra/AQ BMP-1 (Jabhat al-Nusra flag is visible on the back) filmed by Zenki. This is clear evidence that the two groups rode into battle together.
The most damning evidence of cooperation between Zenki and al-Qaeda. AQ's media network clearly states they fought alongside each other at Mallah Farms.
In September 2016, Zenki announced that it formally joined the Jaish al-Fateh coalition after fighting alongside Al-Qaeda unofficially for some time. Jaish al-Fateh is led by Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian wing of al-Qaeda. Although by this time Jabhat al-Nusra attempted to rebrand itself with the name "Jabhat Fateh al-Sham," claiming to be no longer affiliated to al-Qaeda.
Zenki statement on joining the Jaish al-Fateh coalition.
After joining the al-Qaeda led Jaish al-Fateh coalition, Zenki continued to use the CIA supplied TOW anti-tank guided missile system. The Jaish al-Fateh logo is visible alongside the Zenki logo in their media releases from November 2016 showing their TOW missile launches.
In January of 2017, Zenki joined Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Jabhat al-Nusra's second rebranding attempt. HTS has now become the largest rebel group in Syria, with many groups merging into it, including "moderate" groups such as Zenki.
Zenki's official twitter account @NDZankiMotion now sporting the HTS/al-Qaeda logo. The transformation is complete.
In 2019, Zenki was attacked by AQ over who would control Idlib. Zenki, being much smaller, was quickly defeated and no longer exists. Terrorists killing their former CIA-backed allies. Thus ends a terrible chapter in CIA history.
In July of 2016, Zenki fought alongside Jabhat al-Nusra/al-Qaeda in Aleppo. The two groups launched a joint counteroffensive on Mallah Farms in a desperate attempt to push back the advancing Syrian Army.
Nusra/AQ T-55 tank used to shell Mallah Farms. Image released by AQ's Al-Manara Al-Bayda media network.
A Nusra/AQ BMP-1 (Jabhat al-Nusra flag is visible on the back) filmed by Zenki. This is clear evidence that the two groups rode into battle together.
The most damning evidence of cooperation between Zenki and al-Qaeda. AQ's media network clearly states they fought alongside each other at Mallah Farms.
In September 2016, Zenki announced that it formally joined the Jaish al-Fateh coalition after fighting alongside Al-Qaeda unofficially for some time. Jaish al-Fateh is led by Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian wing of al-Qaeda. Although by this time Jabhat al-Nusra attempted to rebrand itself with the name "Jabhat Fateh al-Sham," claiming to be no longer affiliated to al-Qaeda.
Zenki statement on joining the Jaish al-Fateh coalition.
After joining the al-Qaeda led Jaish al-Fateh coalition, Zenki continued to use the CIA supplied TOW anti-tank guided missile system. The Jaish al-Fateh logo is visible alongside the Zenki logo in their media releases from November 2016 showing their TOW missile launches.
In January of 2017, Zenki joined Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Jabhat al-Nusra's second rebranding attempt. HTS has now become the largest rebel group in Syria, with many groups merging into it, including "moderate" groups such as Zenki.
Zenki's official twitter account @NDZankiMotion now sporting the HTS/al-Qaeda logo. The transformation is complete.
In 2019, Zenki was attacked by AQ over who would control Idlib. Zenki, being much smaller, was quickly defeated and no longer exists. Terrorists killing their former CIA-backed allies. Thus ends a terrible chapter in CIA history.
