| Syrıan Republican Guard Forces | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1976 – present |
| Country | Syria |
| Allegiance | Military of Syria |
| Branch | Syrian Army |
| Type | Praetorian Guard |
| Role | Armoured |
| Size | 10,000 |
| Garrison/HQ | Damascus |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Maher al-Assad |
| Notable commanders |
Bashar al-Assad Maher al-Assad |
The Syrian Republican Guard is a 10,000 man bodyguard unit of the Syrian Army. They are a single armored division used to protect the capital, Damascus from any domestic threats. The Guard is the only Syrian military unit allowed within the capital. [1]
The guard was formed in 1976 when anti-Syrian Palestinian groups launched attacks on Syria. The Republican Guard is used mostly to protect top Syrian government officials from any external threats.[2] It is reported that in order to maintain loyalty to the Syrian regime, officers of the Republican Guard receive a significant share of the revenue from the Syrian oil fields in the Deir ez-Zor region, which in large part is not recorded in the country's budget.[3]. Many members of the Assad family have served in the Republican Guard. Bashar al-Assad was a Colonel, and was given control of a brigade. His younger brother Maher was also a Colonel in the Republican Guard.[4]
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