66th Division | |
---|---|
Active | March 2025 - present |
Country | Syria |
Branch | ![]() |
Area of responsibility | Deir ez-Zor |
Engagements | SDF–Syrian transitional government clashes (2025–present) |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Ahmad al-Muhmad |
The 66th Division of the Syrian Army, established between March and April 2025, under the Syrian Transitional Government, is responsible for the eastern border region of Syria, which includes Al-Bukamal, and Deir ez-Zor, covering a sector of more than 250 kilometers. Most of the division's personnel are former members of the "Zubair bin al-Awam" Brigade of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Sunni Islamist paramilitary group [1] [2]
The division is tasked with securing and monitoring Syria’s eastern border areas, maintaining control over key crossings and transport routes. [3]
The deployment of the division to the eastern Syria area began in mid-April, but it appeared to be incomplete due to an ongoing shortage of personnel. [1]
The division engaged in sporadic fighting with SDF forces along the Euphrates contact line in 2025. [4]
Many of the division’s officials reportedly originate from eastern Syrian provinces, and at least some of its personnel previously served in the Zubair bin al-Awam Brigade of HTS. The division is commanded by Ahmad al-Muhmad (Abu Muhammad Shuri), originally from Tabqa in the Raqqa region. Before his appointment, he was a member of the HTS Shura Council and commander of the Zubair bin al-Awam Brigade. [1]
Other high ranking members of the division include: Chief of Staff Alaa Ahmad (Abu Ahmad al-Shami), and Northern Sector Commander Muhammad Hasan al-Shawwakh (Abu Jihad Qadisiyya). [1]
The division controls at least four subordinate brigades: [1]