Syrian Armed Forces
The Syrian Arab Armed Forces is the Military of Syria, Originally formed in 1946. The Syrian Arab Armed Forces consists of the Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Air Force, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air Defense Forces, and the Paramilitary forces known as the National Defense Forces. The SAAF is a conscripted force made up of about 150,000 men (not counting militants).[3]
| Syrian Arab Armed Forces | |
|---|---|
| الْقُوَّاتُ الْمُسَلَّحَةُ الْعَرَبِيَّةُ السُّورِيَّةُ | |
 Flag of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces | |
 Coat of arms of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces | |
| Motto | "Homeland, Honor, Sincerity" |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Current form | 1971 |
| Service branches |  Syrian Arab Army
 National Defence Forces |
| Headquarters | Umayyad Square, Damascus |
| Leadership | |
| Commander In Chief |  Bashar al-Assad |
| Chief Minister | Lieutenant General Ali Mahmoud Abbas |
| Chief of the General Staff | Lieutenant General Abdul Karim Mahmoud Ibrahim |
| Personnel | |
| Military age | 18-42 |
| Conscription | yes |
| Available for military service | 13,045,962 [1], age 18-42 |
| Fit for military service | 11,313,295[1], age 18-42 |
| Reaching military age annually | 570,761[1] |
| Active personnel | 100,000[1] (ranked 47) |
| Reserve personnel | 50,000 |
| Expenditures | |
| Budget | $2,020,5000,000 USD |
| Percent of GDP | 5% |
| Industry | |
| Annual imports |  Russia[2]
 Iraq[2] |
| Related articles | |
| History | 1948 Arab–Israeli War Yom Kippur War |
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 against British and Free French troops but all fights were unsuccessful.[4] 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 Syrian Arab Armed Forces fought against the IDF in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Between 1948 and 1967 there were multiple coup d'etats[5]. 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[5]. But in 1963 a newer coup happened led by the Ba'ath Party which made Hafez al-Assad the new President of Syria.[6]
Syrian Civil War
The Syrian Arab Armed Forces 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.[7] With the Syrian Arab Armed Forces fighting in major battles such as the Siege Of Homs, Battle of Damascus, Battle of Aleppo and other battles.
Conscription in the Syrian Arab Armed Forces
The Syrian Arab Armed Forces 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.[3] It was first Introduced in May 16th, 2007 with about 18 months of service but no confirmed soldiers were let go.[8]
Structure
There are 5 branches within the Syrian Arab Armed Forces, 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 Syrian Arab Armed Forces, it is the dominate branch within the Syrian Arab Armed Forces.[9] The Syrian Arab Armed Forces consists of about 3 corps,[10] with 14 Divisions, and more than 40 Brigades.
Syrian Arab Air Force
The Syrian Arab Air Force is the Air Branch of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces, 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.[11]
Syrian Navy
The Syrian Navy is the Naval Branch of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces, with about 4,000 men.[12] With about 43 ships, 21 Helicopters and 12 Coastal Defense Systems.[13]
Syrian Air Defense Force
The Syrian Air Defense Force is the Anti-Air branch of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces,[9] made up of about 55,000 men.[12] With about 20 Air Defense Brigades and 3 Air Defense Regiments.[14]
National Defense Forces
The National Defense Forces is a Pro-Assad militia, with about 50,000-100,000 men.[15][16][17] It was formed by the Syrian Government, formed in November 11th, 2012.