JMA is a jihadist militant group operating primarily in the Aleppo area of northern Syria. The goal of JMA is to topple Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's government. JMA is led by Chechans from Russia's North Caucasus, and the group's membership consists of approximately 1000 fighters, most of them foreign. JMA has taken part in joint operations with other jihadist groups in Syria such as the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra. JMA's tactics include the use of large suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, ground assaults, hostage taking and kidnapping, including foreign nationals and Syrian civilians loyal to Assad.
