66th Division (Syria)
| 66th Division | |
|---|---|
.svg) | |
| Active | March 2025 - present |
| Country | Syria |
| Branch |  Syrian Army |
| 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]
History
[edit]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]
Structure
[edit]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]
- Brigade (name/number unknown)
- Raqqa Brigade (led by Mahmoud al-Hajj Abd Abu Muhammad)
- Special Forces Brigade (led by Ahmad al-Aboud)
- Zubair bin al-Awam Brigade (led by Abu Khaled al-Arabi, who is considered close to Turkey)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Shapira, Boaz (July 2025). "Special Report- The New Syrian Army" (PDF). Alma Research and Education Center: 36–37.
- ^ Waters, Gregory (28 March 2025). "The New Syrian Army: Structure and Commanders". www.syriarevisited.com. Retrieved 2025-10-12.
- ^ "Iran Update, April 30, 2025". Institute for the Study of War. 2025-05-01. Retrieved 2025-10-12.
- ^ "Clashes Between Syrian Ministry of Defense Forces and the SDF in Deir Ezzor, Eastern Syria". Enab Baladi. 2025-08-14. Retrieved 2025-10-12.