Syrian army unit founded by Rifaat al-Assad. Receives special training and privileged support. The most effective division in the Syrian military. Falls under the First Corps and dates back to the era of Hafez al-Assad. Personnel are numbered at around 15,000 fighters according to French media reports. Consists of several regiments and brigades with the entrances to Damascus as their headquarters. · أهم مكونات الجيش العربي السوري. يبلغ عدد أفرادها نحو 15 ألف مقاتل، اتهمت بارتكاب مجازر وجرائم حرب في حق الشعب السوري منذ اندلاع الثورة في مارس 2011