The group participated in the
2014 Latakia offensive As part of the Latakia offensive, the group briefly captured the Mediterranean town of
Kasab, acquiring their name. 1st Coastal Division is famous for including Free Syrian Army
war hero Abo Hamza who became notable on
social media for his many skillful
BGM-71 TOW missile shots. In October 2015 the 1st Coastal Division's chief of staff, Captain Basil Zamo, was killed in a Russian airstrike on
Jabal al-Akrad, Latakia. On 30 June 2017, military commanders of the
21st Combined Force, the
23rd Division, the Central Division, and the 1st Coastal Division signed the
Geneva Call's "Deed of Agreement" pledging to protect children in the war, prohibit
sexual violence, and prevent
sexism. In May 2018, along with 10 other rebel groups in northwestern Syria, the 1st Coastal Division formed the
National Front for Liberation, which was officially announced on 28 May. On 11 November 2023, the National Front for Liberation announced that the 1st and 2nd Costal Divisions are being merged into the Costal Division. ==See also==