Syrian Armed Forces

The Syrian Arab Armed Forces (SAAF) was the military of Syria formed in 1946 until the ousting of the tyrannical regime of the Al-Assad clique. The SAAF consisted of the Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Air Force, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air Defense Forces and the Paramilitary forces, namely the National Defense Forces.

Armed by Russia and Iran and backed by pro-Russian Western leftists who swayed foreign policies, the SAAF committed countless atrocities against Syrians, including massacres, starving sieges and chemical attacks,  which killed over 400,000 Syrians, in the Syrian civil war (2011–2024) when Assad's tyranny fell under the weight of the large-scale multi-pronged Syrian rebel offensives peaking in the liberation of capital Damascus.

## History

The SAAF was first formed back in 1920, it was called the French Mandate Volunteer Force. It was considered the "Special Army of the Levant". During World War II, they fought against British and Free French troops but all fights were unsuccessful.  There later was a gendarmerie force made to fight off criminals, and political enemies, the force had about 10,000 men and 306 officers with most of the high ranking members being French.

### After World War II

After the World War II, the SAAF fought against the IDF in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Between 1948 and 1967 there were multiple coup d'etats. The first coup was in 1949 led by General Husni al-Za'im, which was successful. With two more coups later that year, in 1954 more coups occurred with a massive officer purge to ensure no more coups. But in 1963 a newer coup happened led by the Ba'ath Party which made  Hafez al-Assad the new President of Syria.

### Syrian Civil War

The SAAF fought against Syrian Protesters in 2011, causing the Syrian Civil War. With about 40 officers defecting and making the "Free Syrian Army" that later on turned to the Syrian National Army. With the SAAF fighting in major battles, such as the siege Of Homs, battle of Damascus and battle of Aleppo.

## Conscription in the Syrian Arab Armed Forces

The SAAF is a conscripted force, with a conscription age of 18-42. There are exemptions such as Mental Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, Paying a fee, being an only son. With the Punishments for avoiding service are exiled or jailed. It was first Introduced in May 16th, 2007 with about 18 months of service but no confirmed soldiers were let go.

## Structure

There are 5 branches within the SAAF, based in Damascus with the Forces being made of mainly Sunni Muslims but there are some Alawite, since certain units only accept Alawites, such as the Syrian Republican Guard and 4th Armored Division.

### Syrian Arab Army

The Syrian Arab Army are the Ground Forces of the SAAF, it is the dominate branch within the SAAF. The SAAF consists of about 3 corps, with 14 Divisions, and more than 40 Brigades.

### Syrian Arab Air Force

The Syrian Arab Air Force is the Air Branch of the SAAF, the Syrian Arab Air Force consists of 2 Divisions. Made up of 7 Fighter-Bomber brigades, 4 Helicopter Brigades and a single Air Transport Brigade.

### Syrian Navy

The Syrian Navy is the Naval Branch of the SAAF, with about 4,000 men. With about 43 ships, 21 Helicopters and 12 Coastal Defense Systems.

### Syrian Air Defense Force

The Syrian Air Defense Force is the Anti-Air branch of the SAAF, made up of about 55,000 men. With about 20 Air Defense Brigades and 3 Air Defense Regiments.

### National Defense Forces

The National Defense Forces is a Pro-Assad militia, with about 50,000-100,000 men. It was formed by the Syrian Government, formed in November 11th, 2012.

## Infobox (national military)

- **name**: Syrian Arab Armed Forces
- **native name**: الْقُوَّاتُ الْمُسَلَّحَةُ الْعَرَبِيَّةُ السُّورِيَّةُ
- **image**:
- **alt**: Flag of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces
- **caption**: Flag of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces
- **image2**:
- **alt2**: Coat of arms of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces
- **caption2**: Coat of arms of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces
- **motto**: "Homeland, Honor, Sincerity"
- **current form**: 2024
- **branches**:

Syrian Arab Navy

- **headquarters**: Umayyad Square, Damascus
- **commander-in-chief**: Ahmed al-Sharaa
- **commander-in-chief title**: President of Syria, Commander In Chief
- **chief minister**: Murhaf Abu Qasra
- **chief minister title**: Ministry Of Defense (Syria), Chief Minister
- **minister**: Ali Noureddine al-Naasan
- **minister title**: Chief of the General Staff
- **age**: 18-42
- **conscription**: yes
- **manpower age**: 18-42
- **available**: 13,045,962
- **fit**: 11,313,295
- **reaching**: 570,761
- **active**: 100,000
- **ranked**: 47
- **reserve**: 50,000
- **amount**: $2,020,5000,000 USD
- **percent gdp**: 5%
- **imports**: *
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- **history**: 1948 Arab–Israeli War

Yom Kippur War

Six Day War

Black September in Jordan

1982 Lebanon War

Gulf War

Syrian occupation of Lebanon

Islamic uprising in Syria

Syrian Civil War

Syrian Conflict