I've found this guide on the armed opposition from the
Institute for the Study of War (ISW):
http://understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Syrian%20Opposition%20Guide_0.pdfIt is from October 07, hence maybe slightly outdated given the pace of events since the Russian intervention. Additionally one may not draw the same conclusions as the authors.
But I still find it very useful to get an overview in the mid of thousands of often short-lived rebel brigades. It classifies the armed opposition according to:
- area of operation
- participation in operation rooms
- ties to the al-Nusra Front
- funding
- relevance ("powerbrokers")
Jordan has been given the task of compiling a list of "terrorist groups". There have been reports on a leaked list that would also include among the terrorists the Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement, which is classified as an Aleppo-based "powerbroker" group independent from al-Nusra by the ISW.
