The 1991 Persian Gulf War

Syria

by David Nilsen and Greg Novak

The arrival of Syrian troops in Saudi Arabia came as a surprise to the Coalition, and presented some interesting problems. These included issues of command subordination, the exact details of their role (it was until one week before the ground war began that they were authorized to cross the Kuwaiti border), and IFF difficulties. The Saudis didn't trust them, and the US Marines didn't much like them. When the Marines were asked if they would be able to tell Syrian T-62s from Iraqi T-62s, they answered "No," creating the need for more planning on how to handle the shared boundary between JFC-N and I MER In the end, the Syrians followed the Egyptian II Corps into Kuwait.

This division was not one of Syria's T-72-equipped first-line divisions, but had seen recent service in Lebanon. Syrian troops are Experienced, Morale 8

9th Tank Division

    Divisional Headquarters, with:
      1 command stand
      1 TOC
      1 GAZ-469

    Divisional Recon Company, with: 1 command BRDM-2 and 2 recon BRDM-2

    33rd and 43rd Tank Brigades, each with:

      Brigade Headquarters, with:
        1 command stand
        1 GAZ-469
        1 TOC
        2 5 -ton supply trucks
        2 T-54 ARV

      Brigade AA Company, with: 2 ZSU-23 and 1 SA-9
      Brigade AT Company, with: 2 BDRM-2 AT-4
      Brigade Engineer Company, with:

        1 command engineer stand
        2 engineer stands
        2 medium trucks

      3 Tank Battalions, each with:

        Battalion Headquarters, with:
          1 command T-62
          1 maintenance van
          1 medium supply truck

        Tank Company, with: 1 command T-62 and 1 T-62
        2 Tank Companies, each with: 2 T-62

        Mechanized Infantry Battalion, with:

          Battalion Headquarters, with:
            1 command stand
            1 TOC
            1 BTR-60

          3 Mechanized Infantry Companies, each with:

            1 command infantry stand
            2 infantry stands
            3 BMP-1

    52nd Mechanized Brigade, each with:

      Brigade Headquarters, with:
        1 command stand
        1 GAZ-469
        1 TOC
        2 medium supply trucks
        2 T-54 ARV

      Brigade AA Company, with: 2 ZSU-23 and 1 SA-9
      Brigade AT Company, with: 2 BDRM-2 AT-4
      Brigade Engineer Company, with:

        1 command engineer stand
        2 engineer stands
        2 medium trucks

      Tank Battalion, with:

        Battalion Headquarters, with:
          1 command T-62
          1 maintenance van
          1 medium supply truck

        Tank Company, with: 1 command T-62 and 1 T-62
        2 Tank Companies, each with: 2 T-62

      3 Mechanized Infantry Battalions, each with:

        Battalion Headquarters, with:
          1 command stand
          1 TOC
          1 BTR-60

        Mechanized Infantry Company, with:

          1 command infantry stand
          2 infantry stands
          1 AT-3 stand
          4 BTR-60

        2 Mechanized Infantry Companies, each with:

          3 infantry stands
          1 AT-3 stand
          4 BTR-60

        Mortar Company, with:

          1 120mm mortar
          1 gun crew stand (ds)
          1 medium truck

      89th Artillery Regiment

        Brigade Headquarters, with:
          1 command stand
          1 GAZ-469
          1 TOC
          2 5-ton supply trucks

        3 Towed Howitzer Battalions, each with:

          Battalion Headquarters, with:
            1 command stand
            1 FO stand
            2 GAZ-469
            1 TOC

          3 Firing Batteries, each with:
            1 D-30 12mm towed howitzer
            1 gun crew stand (ds)
            1 medium truck

        Self-Propelled Battalion, with:

          Battalion Headquarters, with:
            1 command stand
            1 FO stand
            2 GAZ-469
            1 TOC

          3 Firing Batteries, each with: 1 2S3 SP 152 howitzer

        Self-Propelled Rocket Battalion, with:

          Battalion Headquarters, with:
            1 command stand
            1 FO stand
            2 GAZ-469
            1 TOC

          3 Firing Batteries, each with:

            1 BM-21 MRLS
            1 medium ammo truck

        Engineer Battalion, with:

          Battalion Headquarters, with:
            1 command stand
            1 TOC
            1 GAZ-469
            1 medium supply truck with trailer

          Combat Engineer Company, with:

            1 command engineer stand
            1 engineer stand
            1 medium truck
            1 line charge trailer
            1 minelayer
            1 armored engineer vehicle

          Technical Company, with:

            1 command engineer stand
            1 GAZ-469
            1 earthmover
            2 entrenching vehicles

          Bridge Company, with:

            1 command engineer stand
            1 GAZ-469
            4 heavy trucks with ribbon bridges
            2 TMM

    79th Antiaircraft Brigade, with:

      Brigade Headquarters, with:
        1 command stand
        1 GAZ-469
        1 TOC

      SP AA Battalion, with:

        Battalion Headquarters, with:
          1 command stand
          1 GAZ-469
          1 medium supply truck

        3 Batteries, each with:

          1 ZSU-23
          1 SA-9

        2 Towed AA Battalion, each with:

          Battalion Headquarters, with:
            1 command stand
            1 GAZ-469
            1 medium supply truck

          3 Batteries, each with:

            1 S-60 57mrn AA gun
            1 gun crew stand
            1 medium truck

    45th Commando Brigade

      Brigade Headquarters, with:
        1 command stand
        1 GAZ-469
        1 TOC

      Mortar Company, with:

        1 120mm mortar
        1 gun crew stand (ds)
        1 medium truck

    122nd, 183rd, 824th Battalions, each with:

      Battalion Headquarters, with: 1 command stand and 1 Milan stand
      3 Commando Companies, each with: 1 command infantry stands and 2 infantry stands

Notes

1. Syrian stands use the RPG-7 as the LAW. One stand in each infantry company is armed with the SA-7.

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© Copyright 1994 by Greg Novak.
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