40th Division (Syria)

40th Division
Active	February 2025 – present
Country	Syria
Branch	Syrian Army
Type	Infantry division
Role	Security and stabilization
Size	~3,000 personnel
Garrison/HQ	Daraa
Nickname	Southern Division (initially)
Equipment	Small arms, light vehicles
Engagements	Druze insurgency in Southern Syria (2025–present) Southern Syria clashes (July 2025)
Commanders
Current commander	Colonel Binyan al-Hariri

The 40th Division or Daraa Division ^[1] is a formation of the Syrian Army established in February 2025 as part of the post-Assad military reorganization, under the Syrian transitional government. ^[2] It is responsible for the Daraa region in southern Syria and is composed primarily of former fighters from various opposition groups in the south, along with recent recruits. ^[3] The division is affiliated with the Islamist-Salafi Ahrar al-Sham, and focuses on regional security, counter-insurgency, and integration of local militias. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

History

Background

The division was formed amid efforts to consolidate control in restive southern Syria, following the collapse of the Assad regime in late 2024. Recruitment targeted local armed groups, with over 3,000 fighters selected from approximately 10,000 applicants, many originating from Syria's coastal regions but deployed to Daraa and Quneitra Governorate. ^[6]

In March 2025, members of the controversial Eighth Brigade of the Southern Operations Room were absorbed into its brigade teams as part of a broader reorganization by the Ministry of Defense. ^[6]

Operational history

Early operations focused on stabilizing Daraa through integration of militias, but the unit faced immediate challenges. In July 2025, it clashed with Druze militias in neighboring Suwayda Governorate, resulting in several casualties among its soldiers and officers. ^[7] Later that month, Israeli airstrikes targeted assets of the 40th Division, including convoys and facilities, killing several officers such as Brigadier General Muammar Ibrahim and Khaled al-Zoabi. Internal incidents included the August 25, 2025, shooting of a division member by internal security forces during an arrest attempt, and the September 30, 2025, assassination of another member from Al-Bowayr village, marking the third such killing of Syrian security personnel in Daraa that month. As of October 2025, the division continues recruitment and training to bolster southern security, operating amid ongoing instability. ^[6]

Structure

The commander of the division is Binyan Ahmad al-Hariri (Abu Fares). ^[7] Initially, during the Syrian civil war, al-Hariri joined the Salafi-jihadist group Liwa al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar and later became the commander and co-founder of the Islamist-Salafi militant group Ahrar al-Sham, which fought in the conflict to establish an Islamic state governed by Sharia law. ^{[1] [8]}

Under the 40th Division, four brigades are expected to operate: ^[7]

• Western Daraa Countryside Brigade (led by Ahmad al-Qassem (Abu Iyad))
• Daraa Brigade
• Suwayda Brigade
• Brigade (name/number unknown)

References

1. Sharawi, Ahmad (2025-03-20). "Profiles of commanders in the new Syrian army's regional divisions". FDD's Long War Journal. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
2. "The New Syrian Army: Structure and Commanders". Syria Revisited. 2025-03-28. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
3. "The New Syrian Army: Senior Officials with Jihadist Background". Alma Research and Education Center. 2025-08-06. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
4. "New Syrian Army's Senior Officials Linked to Jihadist Ideologies". Syrian Observer. 2025-08-08. Retrieved 2025-10-03.
5. "Syrian government says 18 troops killed responding to violence in ..." The National. 2025-07-14.
6. "Syrian Defense Ministry Begins Reshaping Military Affairs in Daraa". Ash Sharq Al-Awsat. 2025-04-22.
7. Shapira, Boaz (July 2025). "Special Report- The New Syrian Army" (PDF). Alma Research and Education Center.
8. "Ahrar al-Sham". Mapping Militant Organizations. Stanford University. Retrieved 14 February 2016.