Struggle Companies (Syria)

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]

Struggle Companies/Struggle Brigades سرايا الصراع
Active	1973 – Unknown (dissolved)
Country	Ba'athist Syria
Allegiance	Syrian Arab Armed Forces
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 Hama massacre
Commanders
Ceremonial chief	Hafez al-Assad
Notable commanders	Adnan al-Assad Muhammad al-Assa

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]

See also

• Defense Companies (Syria)
• Shabiha