The 30th Division () was the only elite combined forces division of the
Syrian Republican Guard
The Syrian Republican Guard (SRG), also known as the Presidential Guard, is the security unit in the Syrian Army. Prior to the fall of the Assad regime, it reportedly consisted of 60,000 guardsmen. It was composed of two mechanized division ...
(SRG), established in 2017.
Its main purpose was similar to other SRG units, to protect the second largest city of Syria,
Aleppo
Aleppo is a city in Syria, which serves as the capital of the Aleppo Governorate, the most populous Governorates of Syria, governorate of Syria. With an estimated population of 2,098,000 residents it is Syria's largest city by urban area, and ...
, from any foreign or domestic threats.
Commanders
*Maj. Gen. Ziad Ali Salah (January 2017—November 2017)
**Deputy Commander: Maj. Gen. Zeid Salih
*Brig. Gen. Malik Aliaa (November 2017—December 2018)
**Deputy Commander: Brig. Gen. Barakat Ali Barakat
*Maj. Gen. Barakat Ali Barakat (December 2018—October 2022)
**Deputy Commander: Brig. Gen. Saleh Abdullah (August 2022—October 2022)
*Maj. Gen. Saleh Abdullah (October 2022—April 2024)
*Maj. Gen. Mohamad Saftly (April 2024—December 2024)
**Deputy Commander: Maj. Gen. Nizar Yunis (May 2023—December 2024)
Command structure
As of October 2022, according to Gregory Waters, 30th Division operated five brigades, three special forces regiments and one artillery regiment:
;30th Division (2022)
* 102nd Commando Brigade
* 106th Mechanized Brigade
* 123rd Special Forces Brigade
* 124th Special Forces Brigade
* 135th Mechanized Brigade
* 47th Special Forces Regiment
* 93rd Special Forces Regiment
* 147th Special Forces Regiment
* Artillery Regiment
Combat history
The 30th Division was established in January 2017, following the Syrian government's
regain of Aleppo city.
According Kheder Khaddour, the 30th Division united Aleppo's local militias as an umbrella organization and for while retaining their independent operating structures.
The Republican Guard created the new 30th Division to incorporate all its units in
Aleppo
Aleppo is a city in Syria, which serves as the capital of the Aleppo Governorate, the most populous Governorates of Syria, governorate of Syria. With an estimated population of 2,098,000 residents it is Syria's largest city by urban area, and ...
under a single nominal command, and to integrate the paramilitary militias in the city (already operating under the Republican Guard supervision) into the Republican Guard organization.
The then-deputy commander of the Republican Guard and overall military commander of the
2016 Aleppo offensive, Maj. Gen. Ziad Ali Salah, was appointed in charge of the 30th Division until November 2017
with Major General Zeid Salih as his deputy.
In November 2017 Brigadier General Malik Aliaa took over the command, he was later promoted as the new SRG commander.
In October 2022, Major General Saleh Abdullah was named as a commander of the unit.
Syria - The Special Forces and the Elite Units
/ref> By 2022, the 30th Division was rebuilt into a regular military unit composed of elite guardsmen.
See also
* Republican Guard (Syria)
The Syrian Republican Guard (SRG), also known as the Presidential Guard, is the security unit in the Syrian Army. Prior to the fall of the Assad regime, it reportedly consisted of 60,000 guardsmen. It was composed of two mechanized divisions ...
Notes
References
{{reflist, 1
Divisions of Syria
Military units and formations established in 2017
Military units and formations disestablished in 2024