Syrian Army

Encyclopedia : S : SY : SYR : Syrian Army

The military forces of the Syrian Arab Republic include the Syrian Arab Army, the Syrian Arab Navy, the Syrian Arab Air Force (including the Air Defense Command), in addition to several police and security forces.

Syria uses a system of compulsory military service for every male of 18 years of age, with the period of conscription being 24 months. It is in some cases possible to avoid the draft if you are studying, working abroad, or by paying a fee. Reforms are currently being implemented to shorten the duration of the conscription period.

Involvement in military conflict

The 1948 Arab-Israeli War (against Jewish militias)
The Six Day War (against Israel)
The October War (against Israel)
The Lebanese Civil War (against Lebanese militias, the PLO and Israel)
The Gulf War (against Iraq)

The Syrian armed forces has also been involved in keeping the order in Syria, for example by fighting a Muslim Brotherhood insurrection in the 1980s (most notable for the Hama Massacre, in which the Syrian Army played a part).

International disputes

Since 1967, part the Golan Heights territory of South East Syria is under Israeli military occupation or annexation. Since 1973, the cease-fire line has generally been respected by both sides, with very few incidents. Syria does not recognize the State of Israel. Syria also considers the Hatay Province of Southern Turkey to be Syrian territory and under occupation, but there has been no fighting over this issue.

The Syrian military is also believed to be actively supporting Lebanese and Palestinian militias such as Hizbullah, Hamas, PFLP-GC and Islamic Jihad. Until the 1990s, Syria supported the Kurdish PKK movement in the Turkish parts of Kurdistan.

Some estimates from the

Manpower available for military service:
males age 18-49: 4,356,413 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 18-49: 3,453,888 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
males: 225,113 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$858 million (FY00 est.); note - based on official budget data that may understate actual spending
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
5.9% (FY00)

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