Struggle Companies (Syria)
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Ba'athist Syria
Syrian Arab Armed Forces (Ba'athist Syria)| Struggle Companies / Struggle Brigades | |
|---|---|
| سرايا الصراع | |
| Active | 1973 – Unknown (dissolved) |
| Country | Ba'athist Syria |
| Allegiance | Syrian Arab Armed Forces (Ba'athist Syria) |
| 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 al-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]
