Struggle Companies (Syria): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Commando force in Syria}} |
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{{Infobox military unit |
{{Infobox military unit |
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|unit_name =Struggle Companies/Struggle Brigades<br>سرايا الصراع |
| unit_name = Struggle Companies/Struggle Brigades<br>سرايا الصراع |
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|native_name= |
| native_name = |
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|image= |
| image = |
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|caption= |
| caption = |
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|dates= 1973 – Unknown (dissolved) |
| dates = 1973 – Unknown (dissolved) |
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|country={{flag|Syria}} |
| country = {{flag|Syria}} |
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|allegiance=[[Syrian Armed Forces]] |
| allegiance = [[Syrian Armed Forces]] |
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|command_structure= |
| command_structure = |
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|branch= |
| branch = |
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|type=[[Praetorian Guard]]<br>[[Shock troops|Shock Troops]]<br>[[Special Forces]] |
| type = [[Praetorian Guard]]<br>[[Shock troops|Shock Troops]]<br>[[Special Forces]] |
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|specialization= [[Airborne forces]]<br>[[Close-quarters combat]]<br>[[Counter-insurgency]]<br>[[Raid (military)|Raiding]]<br>[[Direct action (military)|Direct action]]<br>[[Special operations]]<br>[[Unconventional warfare]] |
| specialization = [[Airborne forces]]<br>[[Close-quarters combat]]<br>[[Counter-insurgency]]<br>[[Raid (military)|Raiding]]<br>[[Direct action (military)|Direct action]]<br>[[Special operations]]<br>[[Unconventional warfare]] |
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|size= 5,000 (peak in 1990) |
| size = 5,000 (peak in 1990) |
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|garrison=[[Damascus]] |
| garrison = [[Damascus]] |
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|ceremonial_chief = [[Hafez al-Assad]] |
| ceremonial_chief = [[Hafez al-Assad]] |
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|nickname= |
| nickname = |
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|motto= |
| motto = |
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|colors= |
| colors = |
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|march= |
| march = |
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|mascot= |
| mascot = |
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|equipment= |
| equipment = |
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|equipment_label= |
| equipment_label = |
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| battles = [[Islamist uprising in Syria]] |
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|battles= |
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*[[1982 Hama massacre|Hama massacre]] |
*[[1982 Hama massacre|Hama massacre]] |
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|notable_commanders =[[Adnan al-Assad]]<br>[[Muhammad al-Assa]] |
| notable_commanders = [[Adnan al-Assad]]<br>[[Muhammad al-Assa]] |
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|anniversaries = |
| anniversaries = |
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|identification_symbol= |
| identification_symbol = |
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}} |
}} |
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The '''Struggle Companies''' ({{ |
The '''Struggle Companies''' ({{langx|ar|سرايا الصراع}}; ''Saraya al-Sira'') was a 5,000-strong commando force deployed around the Syrian capital [[Damascus]]. It was created in 1973 and commanded by Maj. Gen [[Adnan Assad]], a cousin of the late Syrian president, [[Hafez Assad]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.meforum.org/meib/articles/0008_s2.htm |title=Syria's Praetorian Guards: A Primer|date=August 2000|work=meforum.org|accessdate=29 November 2015}}</ref><ref name="auto">MIDDLE EAST SECURITY REPORT 8:The Assad Regime by Joseph Holliday, dtd March 2013</ref> The all [[Alawite]] Struggle Companies are broadly similar to the [[Defense Companies (Syria)|Defense Companies]] and were fanatically loyal to the Syrian government and were heavily used during the 1982 [[Hama]] [[1982 Hama massacre|Massacre]]<ref>Arab Armies of the Middle East Wars (2), Men-at-Arms 194, by Samuel Katz, 1988 with 2005 reprint. {{ISBN|0-85045-800-5}}</ref><ref name="auto"/> |
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The Syrian president exercised direct control over the Saraya al-Sira', [[Defense Companies (Syria)|Saraya al-Difa']], and the [[Republican Guard (Syria)|Republican Guard]] all of whom function as a [[Praetorian Guard]].<ref name="auto1">Arab Amies of the Middle East Wars (2), Osprey Men at Arms series #194 p43 by Samuel Katz</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/syria/56.htm |title=Syria - The Power Elite|work=countrystudies.us|accessdate=29 November 2015}}</ref> The headquarters of the Saraya al-Sira' was [[Mezzeh Military Airport]] |
The Syrian president exercised direct control over the Saraya al-Sira', [[Defense Companies (Syria)|Saraya al-Difa']], and the [[Republican Guard (Syria)|Republican Guard]] all of whom function as a [[Praetorian Guard]].<ref name="auto1">Arab Amies of the Middle East Wars (2), Osprey Men at Arms series #194 p43 by Samuel Katz</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/syria/56.htm |title=Syria - The Power Elite|work=countrystudies.us|accessdate=29 November 2015}}</ref> The headquarters of the Saraya al-Sira' was [[Mezzeh Military Airport]]. |
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The Saraya al-Sira' wore combat uniforms quite distinct from the regular Syrian military, their uniform consisted of [[Lizard (camouflage)|lizard-patterned camouflage]] [[fatigues]] |
The Saraya al-Sira' wore combat uniforms quite distinct from the regular Syrian military, their uniform consisted of [[Lizard (camouflage)|lizard-patterned camouflage]] [[Combat uniform|fatigues]] worn with Soviet [[sapogi|combat boots]], helmets and bulletproof vests. Headgear consisted of a red or orange beret.<ref name="auto1"/> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Latest revision as of 17:08, 14 December 2024
| Struggle Companies/Struggle Brigades سرايا الصراع | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1973 – Unknown (dissolved) |
| Country |  Syria |
| Allegiance | Syrian Armed Forces |
| Type | Praetorian Guard Shock Troops Special Forces |
| Role | Airborne forces Close-quarters combat Counter-insurgency Raiding Direct action Special operations Unconventional warfare |
| Size | 5,000 (peak in 1990) |
| Garrison/HQ | Damascus |
| Engagements | Islamist uprising in Syria |
| Commanders | |
| Ceremonial chief | Hafez al-Assad |
| Notable commanders | Adnan al-Assad Muhammad al-Assa |
The Struggle Companies (Arabic: سرايا الصراع; Saraya al-Sira) was a 5,000-strong commando force deployed around the Syrian capital Damascus. It was created in 1973 and commanded by Maj. Gen Adnan Assad, a cousin of the late Syrian president, Hafez Assad.[1][2] The all Alawite Struggle Companies are broadly similar to the Defense Companies and were fanatically loyal to the Syrian government and were heavily used during the 1982 Hama Massacre[3][2]
The Syrian president exercised direct control over the Saraya al-Sira', Saraya al-Difa', and the Republican Guard all of whom function as a Praetorian Guard.[4][5] The headquarters of the Saraya al-Sira' was Mezzeh Military Airport.
The Saraya al-Sira' wore combat uniforms quite distinct from the regular Syrian military, their uniform consisted of lizard-patterned camouflage fatigues worn with Soviet combat boots, helmets and bulletproof vests. Headgear consisted of a red or orange beret.[4]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Country Studies. Federal Research Division.
- ^ "Syria's Praetorian Guards: A Primer". meforum.org. August 2000. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
- ^ a b MIDDLE EAST SECURITY REPORT 8:The Assad Regime by Joseph Holliday, dtd March 2013
- ^ Arab Armies of the Middle East Wars (2), Men-at-Arms 194, by Samuel Katz, 1988 with 2005 reprint. ISBN 0-85045-800-5
- ^ a b Arab Amies of the Middle East Wars (2), Osprey Men at Arms series #194 p43 by Samuel Katz
- ^ "Syria - The Power Elite". countrystudies.us. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
Sources
[edit]- Arabs at War: Military Effectiveness 1948-91, Kenneth M. Pollack, University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln and London, 2002, and Pollack's book reviewed in International Security, Vol. 28, No. 2
- Arab Armies of the Middle East Wars (Men-at-Arms, 194) by Samuel Katz, Osprey Publishing 1988, ISBN 978-0-85045-800-8
- Armies in Lebanon 1982 to 1984 (Men at Arms Series, 165) by Samuel Katz and Ronald Volstad, Osprey Publishing 1985, ISBN 978-0-85045-602-8
External links
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