Internal Security Command (Syria)
Law enforcement agency
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Internal Security Command (Arabic: نتائج البحث عن, abbr.: ISC)[2], also known as the Internal Security Forces (Arabic: قوى الأمن الداخلي, romanized: Quwā al-ʾAmn ad-Dāḵilī; abbr.: ISF)[3] is the national police service and internal security force of Syria.
2024 (current form)
- Levantine Special Forces
- Free Syrian Police
| Internal Security Command نتائج البحث عن | |
|---|---|
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 2019 (General Security Service)[1] 2024 (current form) |
| Preceding agencies |
|
| Employees | 50,000 |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| National agency | Syrian Arab Republic |
| Operations jurisdiction | Syrian Arab Republic |
| Population | 18,437,288 |
| Governing body | Syria |
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Overseen by | Government of Syria |
| Headquarters | Damascus, Syria |
| Agency executives | |
| Parent agency | Ministry of Interior |
It is primarily responsible for law enforcement, protecting civilians and properties alongside investigating crimes with assistance from the General Intelligence Service, and for drug-related cases, the Drug Enforcement Administration. It also performs other routine police functions, including traffic control. It is administered and controlled by the Ministry of Interior.
History
The Internal Security Command, or known as the General Security Service at the time, was the police force of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which controlled areas in Northern Syria, replacing the Free Syrian Police before it was transferred to the interior ministry of the Syrian Salvation Government in April 2024.[1][4] Its roots could be traced to 1945 when the Public Security Police was formed. A police academy was opened in September 2023 and produced its first batch of graduates in August 2024.[5][6]
The Ba'athist-led Public Security Police collapsed in 2024 with the fall of the Assad regime. HTS brought the General Security Service from Idlib to maintain order and security in recently captured areas in the country. In January 2025, the new de facto rulers of Syria, the Syrian caretaker government, made preparations to reorganize the General Security Service as Syria's police force, including Sharia as part of the police training.[7][8]
On 29 November 2025, the Syrian Ministry of Interior presented several new police vehicles. The vehicles, all Hyundai models, include:
- Armoured variants assigned to the Diplomatic Security and Officials Protection units;
- Vehicles for the Criminal Investigations Department;
- Patrol cars for the Road Security (traffic police) branch.[9]
On 30 November 2025, the Syrian Arab News Agency published images of several new vehicle designs for the Ministry of Interior's vehicles, including the vehicles of the General Security Service.[10]
Involvement in the 2025 massacres of Alawites
In March 2025, members of the General Security Service were accused of taking part in the 2025 massacres against Alawite civilians along Syria's coastal regions.[11][12][13]: 44, 49, 50
Equipment
Protective gear
| Name | Photo | Origin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruyin-5 | .jpg) |
 Iran |
Standard issue. |
| Future Assault Shell Technology |  |
 United States |
Standard issue. |
Small arms
Pistols
| Name | Photo | Origin | Cartridge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makarov | .jpeg) |
 Soviet Union |
9×18mm Makarov |
Battle and semi-auto rifles
| Name | Photo | Origin | Cartridge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SKS |  |
Soviet Union |
7.62×39mm | Gold-plated variant. Used for ceremonial purposes. |
| Heckler & Koch G3 |  |
 Germany |
7.62×51mm NATO | Donated by Turkey. |
Assault rifles
| Name | Photo | Origin | Cartridge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AK-47 |  |
Soviet Union |
7.62×39mm | Standard issue. Also used by special forces. |
| AKM |  |
Soviet Union |
7.62×39mm | Standard issue. |
| M4 carbine |  |
United States |
5.56×45mm NATO | Seen during clashes with Islamic State forces. |
Vehicles
| Name | Photo | Origin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Tucson | _1X7A0424.jpg) |
 South Korea |
|
| Mitsubishi Pajero Sport | _1X7A0409.jpg) |
 Japan |
Seen in use by traffic security police. |
| Chevrolet Suburban | _Washington_DC_Metro_Area,_USA_(4).jpg) |
United States |
Seen in use by diplomatic security forces. |
| Mitsubishi Triton |  |
Japan |
|
| Nissan Patrol |  |
Japan |
Seen in use by traffic security police. |
| Hyundai Staria | .jpg) |
South Korea |
|
| Toyota Land Cruiser Prado |  |
Japan |
Seen in use by special forces. |
| Fengon 580 |  |
 China |
Used by the Tourist Police. |
