Defense Companies (Syria)
Former Syrian military unit / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Brigades for the Defense of the Revolution,[1] commonly referred to as Defense Companies, Defense Corps or Defense Brigades (Arabic: سرايا الدفاع; Sarāyā ad-Difāʿ) were an all-Alawite paramilitary force in Syria that were commanded by Rifaat al-Assad. Their task was to defend the Assad government, and Damascus, from internal and external attack.[2]
Brigades for the Defense of the Revolution (Defense Companies / Defense Brigades) سرايا الدفاع | |
---|---|
Active | 1971–1984 |
Country | Syria |
Allegiance | Syrian Armed Forces |
Branch | Airborne forces Armoured Corps |
Type | Praetorian Guard Shock Troops Special operations force |
Role | Airborne forces Armoured warfare Counter-insurgency Direct action Raiding Special operations Urban warfare |
Size | 55,000 (peak in 1982) |
Part of | Division Command HQ 5 Brigades 26 Battalions |
Garrison/HQ | Damascus Mezzeh Military Airport |
Equipment | T-72 tanks BM-21 Grad Mil Mi-24D Attack helicopters 122 mm howitzer 2A18 (D-30) 2S4 Tyulpan heavy mortars Ilyushin Il-76 Transport aircraft |
Engagements | |
Commanders | |
Ceremonial chief | Maj. Gen. Rifaat al-Assad |
Notable commanders |
|
In 1984 the 55,000 strong Defense Companies was broken up and merged into the Syrian Arab Army expanding the Republican Guard, and the 14th Special Forces Division comprising 5 Special Forces regiments. The rump force then became the 569th Armored Division, which years later became the 4th Armoured division[3][4]