4th Armoured Division (Syria) explained

Unit Name:4th Armoured Division
Native Name:الفرقة الرابعة
Dates:1984 – present
Allegiance: Syrian Armed Forces
Branch: Syrian Arab Army
Type:Armoured division
Specialization:Shock troops
Size:18,000 soldiers (2021)[1] [2]
Garrison:Damascus
Commander1 Label:Current Commander
Commander1:Maj. Gen. Maher al-Assad[3]
Commander2:Brig. Gen. Ghiath Dalla[4] [5]
Commander2 Label:Chief of Staff
Commander3 Label:Brigade Commanders
Commander3:Brig. Gen. Kamal Salah Shaddud[6] (138th Brigade)
Brig. Gen. Jawdat Ibrahim Safi (154th Regiment)
Brig. Gen. Jamal Yunes (555th Regiment)[7]
Maj. Gen. Asif Al-Daker (Military Police Commander)
Maj. Gen. Ghassan Nafie Bilal (Security Office Commander)[8]
Nickname:"Ghiath Forces" (42nd Brigade)[9]
Battles:
Notable Commanders:Maj. Gen. Mohamed Ali Durgham
Maj. Gen. Ghassan Belal[14]
Maj. Gen. Ali Mahmoud[15]
Brig. Gen. Bassem Adel Allasha[16]

The 4th Armoured Division (Arabic: الفرقة الرابعة|al-Firqa ar-Rābiʿah) is an elite formation of the Syrian Army whose primary purpose is to defend the Syrian government from internal and external threats. The division is considered one of the most combat-ready formations of the Syrian Arab Army. It played a key role in some battles of the Syrian Civil War.

History

1984–2011

The division has its roots in the Defense Companies commanded by Rifaat al-Assad, younger brother of President Hafez al-Assad. After Rifaat was banished from Syria in 1984, the Defense Companies were reorganised into the 569th Armoured Division, and later into the 4th Armoured Division.[17]

The Division is regarded by some as the best trained and best equipped of the Syrian Army.[18] The 4th Armoured Division, the Republican Guard, and Syria's secret police form the heart of the country's security forces. As a result, the Division is drawn mostly from members of the same Alawite group as the Assad family.[19]

The Division has a military base in the south of Damascus, covering about 35sqmi and including several mountain bunkers. Its main entrance gate is located next to the village of Al-Horjelah.[20] [21]

Syrian civil war

See main article: Syrian civil war. During the uprising phase of the Syrian civil war, the 4th Armoured Division played a key role in attempting to put down uprisings, being sent to quell protests in the southern city of Daraa, the coastal city of Baniyas, the central province of Homs and the northern province of Idlib. Alawite officers from the 4th Armoured Division have been sent to other formations within the Syrian army in an attempt by the government to keep a closer eye and firmer grip on many Sunni dominated formations,[22] with the officers sent from the division relying on the division's fearsome reputation to keep soldiers in line.

Both the division as a whole and its component parts have been accused of engaging in human rights abuses during the Syrian uprising, such as arbitrary arrests and beatings, and the shooting of unarmed protesters.[23] Their use by the Syrian regime in the uprising has led to many of the division's commanders being subject to EU sanctions and travel bans.

A July 2013 report by a pro-government websites stated that Maher al-Assad had been commanding troops in the Aleppo and Homs theatre of operations.[24] Later in 2020, there were reports of their control over international border crossings, such as Nasib Border Crossing and other illegal border crossings between Lebanon and Syria, which are used as financial sources to cover their expenses.[25]

Structure

As of 2021, the 4th Division consists of four brigades: 38, 40, 41, 42 and 138. Regiments 154, 333, 555, and 666 are affiliated with it. All of these military units belong to the Armored Corps. Specialized factions and brigades are affiliated with it as well. The 4th Division also has other army sectors and a number of regular soldiers, including conscripts and recruits, is approximately 18,000. The structure has a standard five-brigade composition of four armored and one motorized infantry brigades, with additional artillery, special forces units and logistics support units.

Up to 90% of the division's soldiers, numbering from 12 to 25 thousand people (according to various estimates), are professionals (contract soldiers), unlike most other Syrian Army units, formed from conscripts.[26] About 80% of the division's soldiers and officers are Alawites.[27] [28] The 4th Division lost many experienced officers and runs its own training program, it is not adopting any practices brought in by Russia or incorporated by other army units.

Weapons

It has about 500 tanks of various models, in addition to armored vehicles (APCs, IFVs) for transporting supplies, infantry, etc.[29] The 4th Division is armed with the tanks T-90, T-72AV, T-72M1, T-72B3, T-62M and T-55AM/MV/AMV.[30] Also, some T-72 tanks are equipped with the Italian fire control system TURMS-T with a commander’s panoramic sight and are designated as T-72S. Syrian-made T-72 Adra and T-72 Shafrah are also part of the armored units. Artillery consists of a 122mm self-propelled gun 2S1 Gvozdika, Golan MLRS and Burkan (both MLRS in the 42nd Armored Brigade).[31]

Order of Battle (2021)

4th Armoured Division (2021)[32]

Operational history in the Syrian Civil War

The division played a key role in the early insurgency phase of the Syrian civil war (2011–2012) in the government's attempts to defeat the rebels. The division's units were deployed in the city of Daraa, the coastal city of Baniyas, Homs, Idlib, Aleppo and others.[36] Since 2012, the division has been stationed in Damascus. The first major operation outside of Damascus Governorate in which the 4th Division took part was Battle for Idlib in 2012. The division then conducted operations in the western and northern parts of the Damascus governorate, which consisted of blocking rebel enclaves in Wadi Barad, Jimraya, in the west Ghouta and in Al-Tal. Subsequently, the division led the siege of Darayya and Muadamiyat.[37]

In June 2013, it was reported that commander of the division General Maher al-Assad was commanding government troops in Homs and Aleppo.[38] After the start of Russian military operation in Syria in 2015, the division was able to take the cities of Muadamiyat al-Sham, Khan al-Shih, Darayya and the Wadi Barada valley. In 2017, the division took on combat operations in Qaboun, which ended with victory. In November 2017, division units took part in the assault on Abu Kamal.[39] Between 2019 and 2020, the unit also participated in the Dawn of Idlib 1 and Dawn of Idlib 2 operations.[40] Between 1 and 3 March 2020, the 4th Division and 9th Armoured Division stormed Al-Sanamayn during the 2020 Daraa Clashes.[41] The division led the anti-rebel operations during the 2021 Daraa offensive.[42] In March 2024, units of the 42nd Brigade have deployed to Deir Ez-Zor.[43] It is the first combat deployment for the 4th Division since 2020 Dawn of Idlib 2 operation.

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Syrian rebel leader to Haaretz: Assad's opposition will secure chemical weapons . Haaretz . 28 May 2012.
  2. News: Kofi Annan's plan is destined to fail . CNN . 27 March 2012 . 28 March 2012 . 1 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220201093007/https://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/27/kofi-annans-plan-is-destined-to-fail/ . dead .
  3. Web site: Daraa | 4th Division officers inspect checkpoints in "Yarmouk Basin" area • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. July 4, 2020.
  4. Web site: Brigadier Ghaith Dalla, famous commander of the #4th_Division's "Ghaith Forces" has been appointed the division's chief of staff under Maher Assad. Dalla had previously been promoted to command the division's 42nd Brigade three years ago.. Twitter. Gregory Waters. 30 June 2024. 29 June 2024.
  5. Web site: SAA's 42nd Brigade redeploys from Golan region to east Daraa. 18 June 2018. Al-Masdar. 19 June 2018. 20 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180620003733/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/saas-42nd-brigade-redeploys-from-golan-region-to-east-daraa/. dead.
  6. Web site: Brigadier General Kamal Salah Shaddud (from Al Bahlouliyah-Latakia Governorate) was appointed as commander of 138th Brigade in the 4th Division..
  7. Web site: Overall command nominally in the hands of Jamal Younes with operational command under Brigadiers Ahmed Yassin and Isama Kina'an.
  8. Web site: 5. Brigadier General Muhammad Bilal, brother of Major General Ghassan Bilal (Head of the #Security_Office at the #4th_Division) has been appointed as the head of #Special_Task Forces Branch in #Air_Force Intelligence.. Twitter. Ayman Al-Das. 9 May 2024. 16 May 2024.
  9. Web site: 3/16 - A soldier from the newly deployed Ghaith Forces/42nd Brigade was killed & others wounded when their transport truck hit a mine in the Mayadeen region #Deir_EzZor.
  10. Web site: Syria's army holds the key to Assad regime's future . Channel 4 News . 13 June 2011 .
  11. Web site: Elite Syrian troops sent to embattled Homs . AlertNet . 2 March 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120302173833/http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/elite-syrian-troops-sent-to-embattled-homs/ . 2 March 2012 . dead . dmy-all .
  12. Web site: Understanding Syria's Military Deployments in Idlib. 12 March 2019. 22 March 2023. Gregory Waters. International Review.
  13. News: مقتل شاب برصاص قوات النظام في درعا البلد ومطالبات أهلية بإفراغ المنطقة من أهلها وسكانها بعد تصعيد قوات النظام الأخير . Arabic . 29 July 2021 . SOHR . 29 July 2021.
  14. Web site: Council Regulation concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria and repealing Regulation (EU) No 442/2011 .
  15. https://twitter.com/GregoryPWaters/status/1509263243067412493?t=2sqtXJGhAv1yW3aD5rzMZQ&s=19 Next to him is Maj Gen Ali Mahmoud, chief of staff of 4th Division, who has been present at all the new reconciliations
  16. Web site: Brigadier Bassem Adel Allasha has been appointed Chief of Staff of the 4th Division. Was appointed head of div's 40th Brig in Dec 2020.
  17. Civil-Military Relations and Political Liberalization: A Comparative Study of the Military's Corporateness and Political Values in Egypt, Syria, Turkey, and Pakistan . 31 January 2009 . 10 February 2012 . 8 March 2012 . Campbell . Kirk S. . https://web.archive.org/web/20120308142330/http://gradworks.umi.com/3330856.pdf . dead .
  18. News: In unending turmoil, Syria's Assad turns to family . The Guardian . London . 23 January 2008.
  19. Web site: 'The enforcer' who heads Syria's dreaded army division . France 24 . March 2012 .
  20. Web site: Syria's army holds the key to Assad regime's future . 13 June 2011 . Channel 4 News . https://web.archive.org/web/20180203124333/https://www.channel4.com/news/syrias-army-holds-the-key-to-assad-regimes-future . 3 February 2018.
  21. News: 'The enforcer' who heads Syria's dreaded army division . France 24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180119200556/http://www.france24.com/en/20120301-enforcer-who-heads-syria-army-fourth-division-maher-bashar-assad. 19 January 2018.
  22. Web site: Army defectors are operating clandestinely in Damascus . Al Jazeera English .
  23. Appendix 1: Structure and Command of Armed Forces and Intelligence Agencies . Human Rights Watch. 15 December 2011 .
  24. Web site: Account Suspended. 5 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150515193643/http://www.syriareport.net/report-maher-al-assad-commanding-homs-assault/. 15 May 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  25. Web site: Nassib Crossing: Disputes over control and search for illegal financial returns. enabbaladi.net. 4 April 2020.
  26. News: In unending turmoil, Syria's Assad turns to family . The Guardian . London . 23 January 2008 . 2014-09-18 . 2012-07-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120727035137/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/9698747 .
  27. Web site: Syrian rebel leader to Haaretz: Assad's opposition will secure chemical weapons. 28 May 2012. Haaretz.com. 5 November 2014.
  28. Web site: Kofi Annan’s plan is destined to fail . 2014-09-18 . 2014-08-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140809061105/http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/27/kofi-annans-plan-is-destined-to-fail/.
  29. Web site: Евгений Крутиков. Сирийской армии жизненно необходима реформа. 2016-12-16. Взгляд. 2017-08-22 . ru . https://web.archive.org/web/20170421060653/https://vz.ru/world/2016/12/16/849645.html. 2017-04-21.
  30. Web site: Russian T-90 Tanks Make the Difference in Southern Aleppo as the Syrian Army Surround Khan Touman. Leith Fadel. Al-Masdar News. 14 December 2015. 3 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20151226061648/http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russian-t-90-tanks-make-the-difference-in-southern-aleppo-as-the-syrian-army-surround-khan-touman/. 26 December 2015. live.
  31. Web site: They also have Golan-65 (pic 1 on top of the 250), Golan-250, Golan-300, and Golan-400, so quite a variety of sizes.. Gregory Waters. Twitter. 31 August 2021. 2 March 2024.
  32. https://us.dk/publikationer/2023/april/syria-the-special-forces-and-the-elite-units/ Syria - The Special Forces and the Elite Units
  33. Web site: The Lion and The Eagle: The Syrian Arab Army's Destruction and Rebirth. Middle East Institute. George Waters. 18 July 2019. 20 September 2022.
  34. Web site: The "Al-Imam Hussein Brigade"- The Assimilation of a Shiite Militia into The Syrian Army's 4th Division, As Well as its Attacks on Israeli and US forces. Tal Beeri. Israel Alma. 27 July 2023. 17 November 2023.
  35. Web site: Harakat al-Nujaba': Interview. 5 September 2018 .
  36. Web site: Army defectors are operating clandestinely in Damascus . Al Jazeera English . 2014-09-18 . 2015-02-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150214090556/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/03/20123175034166718.html.
  37. Web site: Syrian Army seizes half of Darayya as rebel defenses fall apart. Leith. Fadel. 11 July 2016. Al-Masdar News. 11 July 2016. 11 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160711035910/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-seizes-half-darayya-rebel-defenses-fall-apart/. dead.
  38. http://syriareport.net/report-maher-al-assad-commanding-homs-assault/ Report: Maher al-Assad Commanding Homs Assault
  39. Web site: Российская авиация нанесла массированные удары по району Абу-Камаля. Сирийские военные готовят второй штурм. 2017-11-14. Военный обозреватель. 2017-11-17. ru. 2017-11-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20171117114155/http://warsonline.info/siriia/novosti/siriia/abu-kamal13-11-17-2.html.
  40. News: Armed Opposition Thwarts Iranian Attack East of Idleb . ZAMAN AL WASL, Syrian Observer . 13 December 2019 . 7 February 2020 .
  41. Web site: بفرقتين عسكريتين وفرع أمني وآليات ثقيلة.. النظام السوري يقتحم الصنمين بدرعا.. (صور). 2020-08-31. وكالة ستيب الإخبارية. ar.
  42. Web site: Events in Deraa: Perspective from the Fourth Division . . 30 July 2021 . 31 July 2021 .
  43. Web site: Units of the 4th Division's Ghaith Forces have deployed to Deir Ez Zor.. 9 March 2024. 9 March 2024. Gregory Waters. Twitter.

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