Rebel forces use armed conflict in opposition to established government (or governments) for reasons such as seeking political change or establishing, maintaining, or gaining independence. This list includes active groups that “control territory,” which is defined as any populated town, city, village, hamlet, or other defined area that the group holds for administrative and military purposes. It does not include the governments of stable breakaway states or other states with limited recognition.

Over the past two weeks, the Syrian armed group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has surprised many observers by sweeping through the northwest countryside of Syria and seizing control of large swaths of the country. On Thursday, it took over the key city of Hama and, on Saturday, claimed to have entered the capital Damascus, as its forces move along a major highway toward Homs.

The group traces its roots back to early days of the anti-government uprising in 2011, but has transformed repeatedly since then, rebranding itself under different names and with different leaderships. It is currently known as HTS, or the Organization for the Liberation of Greater Syria.

Across the galaxy, resistance movements have arisen to oppose the Imperial occupation of various worlds. Most have been strictly local movements, determined to free an individual planet or star system from Imperial rule. But some, like the crew led by Twi’lek pilot Hera Syndulla on Lothal and other Outer Rim worlds, have grown into a full-fledged Alliance dedicated to overthrowing Palpatine and returning the Republic to power.