Struggle Companies (Syria)

The Struggle Companies (Arabic: سرايا الصراع‎; 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 Syrian government and were heavily used during the 1982 Hama Muslim Brotherhood uprising [3][2]

Struggle Companies/Struggle Brigades
سرايا الصراع
Active1973–?
Country Syria
AllegianceSyrian Armed Forces
TypePraetorian Guard
Special Forces
Shock Troops
RoleCommando Operations
Size5,000 (peak in 1990)
Garrison/HQDamascus
Engagements
Commanders
Ceremonial chiefHafez al-Assad
Notable
commanders		Adnan al-Assad
Muhammad al-Assa

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.[4][5] 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.[4]

See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Library of Congress Country Studies website http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/.

  1. "Syria's Praetorian Guards: A Primer". meforum.org. August 2000. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  2. MIDDLE EAST SECURITY REPORT 8:The Assad Regime by Joseph Holliday, dtd March 2013
  3. Arab Armies of the Middle East Wars (2), Men-at-Arms 194, by Samuel Katz, 1988 with 2005 reprint. ISBN 0-85045-800-5
  4. Arab Amies of the Middle East Wars (2), Osprey Men at Arms series #194 p43 by Samuel Katz
  5. "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

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