66th Divison (Syria)
| 66th Division (Syria) | |
|---|---|
| File:Emblem of Syria (2025–present).svg | |
| Active | 2025 – present |
| Country | Syria |
| Allegiance | Syrian Armed Forces |
| Branch | Syrian Army |
| Type | Mechanized infantry |
| Role | Border security and counter-insurgency |
| Size | 1,500–1,700 |
| Garrison/HQ | Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, Hasakah |
| Equipment | Armored vehicles, APCs, tanks |
| Engagements |
|
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Colonel Ahmad al-Muhammad |
.svg){kind=link}
The 66th Division is a division of the Syrian Army responsible for operations in eastern Syria. Formed in early 2025 as part of the restructuring of the Syrian military following the fall of the Assad regime, the division primarily consists of former units from Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other integrated factions.[1]
History
[edit | edit source]The 66th Division was established between March and April 2025 during the reorganization of the Syrian Armed Forces into the "New Syrian Army.[2] It was created to secure the eastern border regions, replacing previous regime structures in areas such as Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, and Hasakah. The division's personnel largely originate from HTS's Zubair bin Al-Awam Brigade, with many officers hailing from eastern Syrian provinces.[3][4]
Deployment along the eastern border began in mid-April 2025, though it faced delays due to manpower shortages. The unit has been involved in mine clearance operations, training exercises, and skirmishes with various groups.
Structure
[edit | edit source]The 66th Division includes several brigades and specialized units:
- Raqqa Brigade Commanded by Mahmoud al-Hajj Abd Abu Muhammad (Mahmoud Muhammad al-Sheikh).
- Special Forces Brigade Commanded by Ahmad al-Aboud (Abu Shihab Tiyana).
- Zubair bin al-Awam Brigade Commanded by Abu Khaled al-Arabi.[5]
- 2nd Brigade Includes subunits such as the Desert Battalion.[6]
Engagements
[edit | edit source]In August 2025, elements of the 66th Division clashed with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) along the Euphrates River in Deir ez-Zor, including in the towns of al-Dweir and Gharanij. The fighting involved machine guns and RPGs, triggered by gunfire from SDF positions.[7] On August 13, 2025, an armed attack targeted a commander of the division's Special Tasks Brigade in Deir ez-Zor, suspected to be carried out by Islamic State militants. The commander, Ahmad al-Aboud (Abu Shihab Tiyana), survived the attempt.[8][9] Engineering units of the division discovered and began clearing a minefield containing over 5,000 mines near Deir ez-Zor Airport on October 4, 2025.[10] The division conducted training exercises in Deir ez-Zor Governorate in August 2025, involving armored vehicles and infantry maneuvers.
Commanders
[edit | edit source]- Ahmad al-Muhammad (Abu Muhammad Shuri) – Division commander since formation (2025–present). Previously a member of HTS's Shura Council and commander of the Zubair bin Al-Awam Brigade.
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).