The Black Flag Syndicate was an alliance of human pirates and mercenaries. Formed in 2565 as a private security organization by Jaroth Morl, the Black Flags made much of their early money acting as enforcers for the UNSC in unstable colonies. Later on, the Black Flags would later take over many smuggling routes, and in the process, become enemies of the UNSC. As UNSC efforts to eliminate them intensified, they would later give their aid to many rebel groups, and fight alongside them against the UNSC.