Mustafa Al-Sheikh (Arabic: مصطفى أحمد الشيخ‎) was the head of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) military council until December 2012. He was a general in the Syrian Army prior to his defection during the Syrian civil war.Al-Sheikh said he battled with his conscience before defecting, mindful of his 37 years' service and of possible retribution against his extended family.