Struggle Companies (Syria)
| Struggle Companies | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1973–? |
| Country |  Syria |
| Allegiance | Syrian Armed Forces |
| Type | Praetorian Guard Special Forces Shock Troops |
| Role | Commando Operations |
| Size | 5,000 (peak in 1990) |
| Garrison/HQ | Damascus |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Ceremonial chief | Hafez al-Assad |
| Notable commanders | Adnan al-Assad Muhammad al-Assa |
The Struggle Companies (Saraya al-Sira') is or was 5,000-strong commando force deployed around Damascus. 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 are/were fanatically loyal to the the Assad family/regime and were heavily used during the 1982 Hama Muslim Brother uprising [3][4]
The Syrian president exercises direct control over the Saraya al-Sira', Saraya al-Difa', and the Republican Guard all of whom function as a Praetorian Guard.[5][6] The headquarters of the Saraya al-Sira' is 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 along with Soviet combat boots, helmets and bulletproof vests. Headgear consisted of a red or orange beret.[7]
See also
References
 | This image is available from the United States Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division under the digital ID {{{id}}} This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Wikipedia:Copyrights for more information. |  |
- ^ http://www.meforum.org/meib/articles/0008_s2.htm
- ^ 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
- ^ MIDDLE EAST SECURITY REPORT 8:The Assad Regime by Joseph Holliday, dtd March 2013
- ^ Arab Amies of the Middle East Wars (2), Osprey Men at Arms series #194 p43 by Samuel Katz
- ^ http://countrystudies.us/syria/56.htm
- ^ Arab Amies of the Middle East Wars (2), Osprey Men at Arms series #194 p43 by Samuel Katz
Sources
- 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