Syrian Republican Guard

The Syrian Republican Guard (SRG), also known as the Presidential Guard, is the primary 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 mechanizeddivisions with its main purpose to protect the capital of Syria, Damascus, from any foreign or domestic threats. The Republican Guard was also the only Syrian military unit allowed within the capital prior to the civil war.

The SRG was primarily used to protect the President as well as major government buildings in the capital, including the presidential palace.