Syrian Army facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Syrian Arab Army |
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| الجيش العربي السوري | |
Syrian Arab Army Flag
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| Active | 1 August 1945 1971 (current form) |
| Country |  Syria |
| Type | Army |
| Role | Land warfare |
| Size | estimated 100,000 (2019)
Military age: 18 Conscription:
18 years of age for forced and voluntary military service; people who are forced to serve in the military have to serve for 18 months; women are not forced but may volunteer to serve; re-enlistment is for 5 years, with retirement after 15 years or age 40 (enlisted) or 20 years or age 45
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| Part of | Syrian Armed Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | Damascus |
| Motto(s) | "حماة الديار" (Guardians of the Homeland) |
| Colors | Green, Red, White |
| Anniversaries | August 1st |
| Engagements | 1948 Arab–Israeli War War of Attrition |
| Commanders | |
| President of Syria | FM Bashar al-Assad |
| Minister of Defense | Gen. Ali Abdullah Ayyoub |
The Syrian Army, officially known as the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), is the main land force of the Syrian Armed Forces. It began as small local military groups created by France after World War I. These groups joined together in 1945, just one year before Syria became an independent country.
Since 1946, the Syrian Army has played a big part in Syria's government. It has been involved in several changes of government, known as military coups. These happened in 1949, 1954, 1963, 1966, and 1970.
The army has also fought in several wars. It fought against Israel in 1948, 1967 (the Six-Day War), 1973 (the October War), and 1982 in Lebanon. It also had a conflict with Jordan in 1970, known as Black September in Jordan.
During the Persian Gulf War in 1990–91, a part of the Syrian Army was sent to Saudi Arabia. From 1976 to 2005, the army was a key part of Syria's presence in Lebanon.
Inside Syria, the army helped stop a major uprising between 1979 and 1982. Since 2011, it has been involved in the Syrian Civil War. This has been the longest and most challenging conflict for the Syrian Army since it was formed in the 1940s.
Images for kids
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Syrian anti-tank teams used French-made MILAN ATGMs during the war in Lebanon in 1982.
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A Syrian colonel during the First Gulf War.
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Syrian soldiers using artillery during the Syrian Civil War in 2015.
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A Syrian soldier aims a 7.62mm PKM light machine gun from his position. He is wearing a special mask for protection.
See also
In Spanish: Ejército Árabe Sirio para niños
