Struggle Companies (Syria)
The Struggle Companies is or was 5,000-strong commando force deployed around Damascus. Created in 1973 and commanded by Maj. Gen Adnan Assad, a cousin of the late Syrian president, Hafez Assad. The all Alawite Struggle Companies are broadly similar to the Defense Companies and are/were fanatically loyal to the Syrian government and were heavily used during the 1982 Hama Muslim Brotherhood uprising
The Syrian president exercises direct control over the Saraya al-Sira', Saraya al-Difa', and the Republican Guard all of whom function as a Praetorian Guard. The headquarters of the Saraya al-Sira' is 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 along with Soviet combat boots, helmets and bulletproof vests. Headgear consisted of a red or orange beret.
