Syrian Armed Forces: Combined military forces of the Syrian Arab Republic

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).

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; 78 years ago (1946)
Current form	1971
Service branches	Syrian Arab Army Syrian Arab Navy  Syrian Arab Air Force Syrian Arab Air Defence Forces 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 , age 18-42
Fit for military service	11,313,295, age 18-42
Reaching military age annually	570,761
Active personnel	100,000 (ranked 47)
Reserve personnel	50,000
Expenditures
Budget	$2,020,5000,000 USD
Percent of GDP	5%
Industry
Annual imports	Russia  China  Iran  North Korea  Bulgaria  Iraq
Related articles
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

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. 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. 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 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. 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.

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. It was first Introduced in May 16th, 2007 with about 18 months of service but no confirmed soldiers were let go.

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. The Syrian Arab Armed Forces 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 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.

Syrian Navy

The Syrian Navy is the Naval Branch of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces, 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 Syrian Arab Armed Forces, 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.