54th Division (Syria)

54th Division
Active	March 2025 – present
Country	Syria
Branch	Syrian Army
Area of responsibility	Hama Governorate Homs Governorate Rif Dimashq Governorate Al-Tanf
Engagements	Syrian conflict Western Syria clashes Druze insurgency in Southern Syria (2025–present)
Commanders
Current commander	Brigade general Hussein Abdullah al-Obeid

The 54th Division of the Syrian Army, established in March 2025, under the Syrian transitional government, operates in the Hama Governorate, Homs Governorate and Rif Dimashq Governorate. The 54th Division's personnel originates from the rebel group, Ahrar al-Sham, member of the National Front for Liberation.

History

Composition

The members of the 54th Division come from the rebel group, Ahrar al-Sham, ^[1] the division operates in Homs Governorate, with former members of National Front for Liberation. ^[2]

Clashes in Western Syria

The 54th Division operated in Tartus and Homs, after the Western Syria clashes. ^[1]

Clashes in Suwayda

The 54th Division participated in the clashes in July between the Syrian government and the Druze militias in Suwayda, ^[3] on 16 July, military convoys of the 54th Division on the Damascus-Daraa highway were attacked by Israeli aircraft, ^[4] who were heading to Suwayda. ^[5]

Deployment in al-Tanf

Following the withdrawal of US forces from al-Tanf, the 54th Division deployed within the base, ^[6] establishing a control network as part of a security plan. ^{[7] [8]}

Structure

The 54th Division is led by Brigade general Hussein Abdullah al-Obeid, former military commander of Ahrar al-Sham. ^[9] Other high-ranking members include: Officer in an Anti-Tank Battalion, Abd al-Ilahi Ali al-Hasani; officer in the Anti-Tank Battalion, Bashar Obeid Kutaybah. ^[3]

The Division controls six subordinate brigades:

• 2nd Brigade
• 555th Brigade (led by Abu Ibrahim)
• Special Forces Brigade

References

1. Shapira, Boaz (6 August 2025). "The New Syrian Army- Senior Officials with Jihadist Background". Alma Research and Education Center. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
2. Waters, Gregory (28 March 2025). "The New Syrian Army: Structure and Commanders". Syria Revisited.
3. Shapira, Boaz (31 July 2025). "Special Report – The New Syrian Army" (PDF). israel-alma.org. Alma - Research and Education Center. pp. 39-40-49. Retrieved 13 September 2025.
4. الإخبارية, سما. "الجيش الإسرائيلي: نعمل بحزم في السويداء ونهاجم أهدافا للنظام السوري في المنطقة". سما الإخبارية (in Arabic). Retrieved 12 February 2026.
5. "غارات إسرائيلية تضرب قلب دمشق .. ماذا حدث فجر اليوم بسوريا؟". نيوز رووم (in Arabic). 16 July 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
6. "سورية: الفرقة 54 تنتشر في قاعدة "التنف" بعد الانسحاب الأميركي الكامل". 12 February 2026. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
7. "سوريا والشرع: القوات الأميركية تنسحب من قاعدة التنف في شرق سوريا". العربية (in Arabic). 2 November 2026. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
8. "التحالف الدولي ينسحب من قاعدة التنف ويسلمها للجيش السوري". شفق نيوز (in Arabic). Retrieved 12 February 2026.
9. "ما توزع الفرق العسكرية في سوريا.. ومن يقودها". عنب بلدي (in Arabic). 4 November 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2026.