Riyad al-Asad

Riyad al-Asad has been the leader of the Free Syrian Army since his defection from the Syrian Air Force in July 2011. Like other Syrian soldiers, he defected after refusing to follow President Assad's orders to shoot civilians. Little is known about his background, but he, like the majority of Syrians, is Sunni, unlike the Alawi President Bashar al-Assad. Before the uprising, he had served in Syria's Air Force since 1987, attaining the rank of Colonel.

Since founding the Free Syrian Army, al-Asad is based in Turkey, where he coordinates operations. Security is very tight because other opposition leaders have disappeared, allegedly murdered by Syrian officials. The Free Syrian Army plays a defensive role, targeting troops before they shoot at civilians. The Syrian National Council is split on recognition of the force; some find it vital to the uprising's success while others want the protests to remain nonviolent.

For more information, see http://bbc.in/vYGm9d.