Same Same but Different? Ideological Differentiation and Intra-jihadist Competition in the Syrian Civil War

Abstract

How do rebel groups survive and thrive in multiparty civil wars where numerous groups not only fight against a common enemy but also compete with each other for support, recruits, and resources? Literature on the internal dynamics of civil wars has mostly focused on violence as the negative side of inter-rebel competition. The aim of this paper is threefold: First, it aims at explaining when armed groups attempt to use ideological differentiation instead of violence against rivals. Second, it analyzes when this strategy will succeed, and third, it demonstrates what successful differentiation means. The argument is probed by analyzing the puzzling case of Ahrar al-Sham in the Syrian war that emerged as both winner and loser of intra-jihadist competition with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Jabhat al-Nusra/Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Next to offering a new and original analysis of one of the most important Syrian insurgent groups based on interviews and primary documents, the article studies an under-researched rebel strategy whose use is relevant not only for armed groups themselves but also for local civilians, prospective recruits, and external supporters.