Struggle Companies (Syria)
| 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
References
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
- 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