The Border Guard Forces (Arabic: الفرقة المدرعة الثامنة عشر) was a gendarmerie force of the Syrian Army responsible for guarding the borders of Syria (mainly in the east of the country) and important strategic facilities. The Syrian Border Guard was in the size of an enlarged unit containing seven regiments which were deployed in different centers in Syria, the brigade was under the command of the 3rd Corps.[5]
The Border Guard Forces began its existence during the French Mandate in Syria under the name "Desert Guard", before 1946.[8] After the independence, its main work was preventing smuggling along the borders, preventing the infiltration of hostile forces, maintaining order in areas far from the centers of government and maintaining important strategic objectives such as Euphrates Dam, oil wells and power plants.
Role in the Civil war
Over the years, the Syrian Border Guard did not engage in combat as a regular fighting force, but maintained its status as a regional police force. Even during the Civil War in Syria, the Border Guard functioned as a police force mainly in the east of the country.[5]
As of 2019, the Border Guard Force includes seven regiments deployed along the borders of Syria, each regiment is responsible for a sector and its units are stationed throughout the positions and facilities. In their work, border guards use light and medium weapons in addition to armored vehicles to monitor and protect land borders.[9] Since 2019, the Border Guard also incorporated many reconciled civilians or ex-rebels.[10][11]
