The rise of tactical groups dates to 2017 and 2018, when the first videos and photos of Malhama Tactical in Syria began to circulate. In those same years, other tactical groups began operating in Syria, but escaped the scrutiny of analysts because they were not present on social networks, did not have websites, and avoided spreading propaganda.
Malhama Tactical, on the other hand, produced extensive propaganda and offered various services, such as the sale of weapons and training videos, and appeared more like a professional contractor than a full-fledged jihadist tactical group, despite still conducting military and special operations together with other jihadist groups (Akhbar al-Aan, May 5). Some tactical groups are fully aligned and loyal to Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), such as “Saliq Tariq Tactical” and the Turkish-led Fursan Tactical, while others are linked to other jihadist groups, such as Albanian Tactical, which is aligned with Xhemati Alban.
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Source: The Jamestown Foundation