2nd_Armored_Division_(Syria)
2nd Armored Division (Syria)
Military unit
The 2nd Armored Division (Arabic: الفرقة المدرعة الثانية) is a formation of the Syrian Army responsible for securing the northwestern approach to Latakia.[1] The division is part of the Syrian Army's 2nd Corps.
| 2nd Armored Division | |
|---|---|
| الفرقة المدرعة الثانية | |
| Active | 2015–present[1] |
| Country |  Syria |
| Allegiance |  Syrian Armed Forces |
| Branch |  Syrian Arab Army |
| Type | Armoured division |
| Role | Armoured warfare |
| Size | up to 10,000 soldiers (2019) |
| Garrison/HQ | Latakia |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Current Commander | Maj. Gen. Rifaat Khalil[3] |
| Brigade Commanders | Brig. Gen. Gandhi Ibrahim[4] (48th Regiment) |
- 2nd Armored Division (2022)[5]
4th Corps (2015–2018)
2nd Division participated along the 6th Division of the 4th Corps in initial operations such as the 2015–16 Latakia offensive and Northwestern Syria offensive (October–November 2015).[10][11] These operations were ultimately successful, but due to the fact that Iran remained unwilling to allow Syrian units under its control to be integrated to a primarily Russian-led formation, while many militias generally resisted any attempts to reduce their autonomy by including them in the 4th Corps, the project failed.[12][10] As its performance during the 2016 Latakia offensive did not met expectations, the 4th Corps project failed and 2nd Division remained in Latakia.[10]
After the 4th Corps (2018–present)
Before 2018, personnel of the 2nd Division was drawn from members of the Syrian Army, its staff, and veterans or defectors without the need for recruitment campaigns. Since 2019, the 2nd Division incorporated reconciled civilians or ex-rebels from East Ghouta, Douma and Daraa.[13] Since 2020, the 2nd Division was also reorganized into a regular military unit with additional armored brigade (145th), infantry brigade (73rd) and special forces regiments (48th, 53rd).[5]
- Gregory Waters (18 July 2019). "The Lion and The Eagle: The Syrian Arab Army's Destruction and Rebirth". Middle East Institute. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- Leith Fadel. "Breaking: Syrian Army Launches Offensive South of Idlib City". Al-Masdar News. Archived from the original on 12 July 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- Gregory Waters (8 September 2023). "The 2nd Division has two new appointments as well: Maj Gen Rifaat Khalil is promoted from deputy to commander of the division". Twitter. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- Gregory Waters (8 September 2023). "Brigadier Gandhi Ibrahim has been appointed commander of its 48th Regiment". Twitter. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- Gregory Waters (12 May 2020). "Current Syrian Army Deployments". International Review. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- Gregory Waters (11 May 2023). "82nd Battalion of the 53rd SF Regiment (originally part of Special Forces Command now in 2nd Div)". Twitter. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- Pesach Malovany; Nehemiah Burgin (16 February 2018). "Mother Russia Holds the Reigns[sic]". Israel Defense (Arrowmedia). Archived from the original on 2018-02-19. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- Sylvia Westall; Tom Perry (8 October 2015). "Syria extends offensive to retake territory in west". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2018-02-19. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- Abdulrahman al-Masri (11 January 2017). "Analysis: The Fifth Corps and the State of the Syrian Army". Syria Deeply. Archived from the original on 2018-02-04. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- Gregory Waters (5 February 2023). "Core forces in Latakia frontline are Border Guards 11th Regiment, 2nd Division & 6th Division (though 6th is more centered around al-Ghab)". Twitter. Retrieved 8 March 2024.