Continuing in the series on various units in the Local Defence Forces (LDF), we turn to Liwa al-Shaheed Ali Zain al-Abideen Berri (The Martyr Ali Zain al-Abideen Berri Brigade).
From the outset, the Berri clan were well known in Aleppo for their support for the Syrian government and were part of the popular committees that were among the earliest forms of pro-government auxiliary forces. The name of Liwa al-Shaheed Ali Zain al-Abideen Berri refers to a person of the Berri clan who was killed in 2012 by the rebels. Ali Zain al-Abideen Berri was also known as Zaino Berri. In summer 2012, he and other members of the Berri clan fought groups of rebels in a battle that eventually resulted in the Berri clan members being killed or taken prisoner. Among those taken prisoner was Zaino Berri, who was then executed by them.
Liwa al-Shaheed Ali Zain al-Abideen Berri was set up with support from both the Syrian army and the Iranians, who have provided both arms support and training assistance. The group has been affiliated with the LDF in Aleppo since the establishment of the LDF network there.
 Some Liwa al-Shaheed Ali Zain al-Abideen Berri members who received training in Iran. |
 Members of Liwa al-Shaheed Ali Zain al-Abideen Berri in south Aleppo countryside. |
The group has fought in a number of areas including Aleppo and its countryside, Palmyra, Deir az-Zor, Hama and Idlib countryside. Although the group's name points to its origins in the Berri clan, members are not exclusively of that clan. Like Liwa al-Baqir, the group has a high number of 'martyrs', with more than 110 to date.
Among important leaders of the group are al-Hajj Jasim Berri and al-Hajj Hameed Berri.
 al-Hajj Jasim Berri |