Published Via Omran Center on February 11, 2019
Executive Summary
Before May 2013, private security companies’ tasks and activities in Syria were basically limited to securing shopping malls, banks, and concerts.
The growing need for legal armed forces not bound by government regulation led to the issuance of Legislative Decree No. 55.
The Syrian regime’s international allies (Iran and Russia) found what they were looking for in the private security companies.
Iran used private security companies to institute Iranian presence and influence in sensitive areas in Syria without worrying about whether they can maintain this presence in the future, because private security companies are part of a registered Syrian company.
Iran used these security companies to maintain presence on the strategic (Baghdad-Damascus) highway in the eastern desert of Syria.
Russia used private security companies to legalize some local militia fighters that it recruited due to the lack of Syrian army manpower.
After the reconciliation of some ex-Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions with the Syrian government, Russia had limited choices regarding how it could use these reconciled fighters. At first, Russia used the 5th Corps, which created issues because many Syrian army forces refused to fight alongside ex-FSA fighters. That pushed the Russian military to use these private companies such as the “ISIS Hunters” in order to mobilize and take advantage of the ex-FSA manpower.
Introduction
Syria has witnessed a notable increase in private security companies, especially since the issuance of Legislative Decree No. 55 on August 5, 2013. This decree officially regulates the licensing of private protection and security companies in the country, expanding their roles and legal frameworks significantly compared to the period before 2013. Prior to the decree, the private security landscape in Syria was sparse, primarily dominated by a few firms funded by prominent businessmen. These companies mainly focused on securing banks, shopping malls, and occasionally, musical concerts.
The emergence of new private security companies beginning in early 2017 marked a shift towards more critical roles and enhanced international collaborations, including instances of foreign indirect ownership. These companies now provide specialized protection services for individuals and entities requiring heightened security measures. Moreover, some of these companies engage in activities that extend beyond traditional security roles to include operations similar to private military functions. For instance, groups like the "ISIS Hunters" have been involved in military-style operations against ISIS in the Syrian desert, blurring the lines between private security functions and military engagements.
Legislative Decree No. 55 delineates specific requirements and classifications for these companies. Agencies such as the Ministry of Interior and the National Security Office are key stakeholders in enforcing these regulations. To qualify for a license, a company must be wholly owned by individuals holding Syrian Arab nationality, possess a minimum capital of fifty million Syrian pounds, and have its headquarters within its operational area. Additionally, the owners, partners, and management of these firms must meet specific criteria including age, educational background, and a clean public service record.
Private security companies in Syria are categorized into three levels based on the number of guards they employ:
First category: companies with 801 guards or more.
Second category: companies with between 501 and 800 guards.
Third category: companies with between 300 and 500 guards.
This regulatory framework not only ensures a structured growth in the private security sector but also addresses concerns about the scope and nature of the services provided, especially those verging on military operations.
Top Private Security Companies and their International Allies
The power of each company is related to the number of secured locations it has, the type of operations it does, and the weapons and armored vehicles that it owns:
Major PMC Opreating in Syria between 2013 and 2019
Shorouk Company for Security Services (Independent)
Shorouk Company for Security Services, an autonomous entity, was founded on November 12, 2012. Predominantly staffed by former state security officers, Shorouk has garnered recognition for its pivotal role in quelling various protests in the Syrian capital, Damascus. Despite repeated overtures from Iran aimed at influencing its operations, Shorouk has steadfastly maintained its autonomy. The organization's headquarters are strategically situated within the governorate's premises in Al-Zahra, Damascus.
The leadership of the company comprises:
Retired Brigadier General Gamal al-Din Habib
Retired Brigadier Ragheb Hamdoun
Retired Lieutenant Colonel Ali Younis
These individuals, closely linked with notable figures such as Hafez Makhlouf and Yasser Qashlq, played crucial roles during the tumultuous 1982 Hama uprising. In particular, Ali Younis emerged as a significant figure in the realm of state security before his retirement.
Prominent Contracts for the Fiscal Years 2017 and 2018:
Al-Khair Markets, positioned in Ein Tarma within the rural surroundings of Damascus
A series of establishments including restaurants and nightclubs in the Bab Touma district of Damascus
Sham City, located in Kafr Suseh, Damascus
Cusco Mark, a restaurant franchise operational in both Damascus and Aleppo
Ski Land, a recreational facility in Shami Village
Al-Badia Cement Factory, located in the Abu Shammat area, Al-Dumayr
Regarding employment and remuneration:
Shorouk employs a workforce exceeding 2,000, encompassing roles from administrative to security operations. The uniform, a mandatory attire, features the corporate logo, symbolizing the company's brand identity. Compensation for security staff is differentiated by role responsibilities, with daily earnings ranging from 1,500 to 4,000 Syrian Pounds (SP).
This detailed company profile delineates Shorouk's operational framework and its influential position within the security sector in Damascus, highlighting its strategic importance and steadfast resilience amidst external influences.
ISIS Hunters (Affiliated With Russia)
The ISIS Hunters is a private military company that was established, funded, and initially trained by the Russian military in early 2017 in Latakia, primarily to combat ISIS forces in the Syrian desert. Subsequent training responsibilities were transferred to the Wagner Group.
Initially, the core mission of the ISIS Hunters involved safeguarding strategic locations such as the gas and oil fields in western Palmyra, as well as weaponry depots near the T-4 Military Airport. Their operational scope swiftly broadened to include more direct combat roles, notably the retaking of Palmyra and subsequent military operations across the Euphrates River to eliminate ISIS forces from its eastern banks.
Originally conceptualized as a specialized detachment within the Syrian Army, the ISIS Hunters were formally recognized as a distinct entity with the enactment of Decree 55 in March 2017. This transformation marked their transition from a military unit to a more conventional private security firm, albeit with continued access to military resources due to their initial mandate against ISIS.
Post the recapture of Palmyra by Syrian forces and their allies in 2017, the Russian-supported ISIS Hunters were tasked with the town's security against possible ISIS incursions, clearing surrounding areas, reclaiming the Palmyra gas fields, and ensuring the accessibility of vital routes like the Homs-Palmyra highway. Their operations extended to clearing operations near Kusham on the eastern bank of the Euphrates, approximately 15 kilometers southeast of Deir Ezzor, culminating in the security of Kate Island north of Deir Ezzor city and the capture of 250 ISIS combatants on November 17, 2017.
Presently, the primary responsibilities of the ISIS Hunters include safeguarding pipelines in eastern Homs, maintaining a military presence at al-Talaa Camp in Deir Ezzor, and managing security checkpoints between the Syrian regime and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Deir Ezzor province. Their most recent known engagement was a limited involvement in the 2018 battles in Eastern Ghouta.
Al-Qalaa Company for Security Services (Affiliated with Iran)
Al-Qalaa Company was founded on October 10, 2017, under the leadership of Syrian entrepreneur Mohammed Dirki. Initially, Al-Qalaa commenced operations with a narrow focus. However, by February 2018, the company's visibility increased significantly when its security personnel, dressed in black uniforms and armed with compact machine guns, were observed in the Sayyida Zainab District of Damascus. Their primary assignment was to ensure the safety of a Shi’ite religious procession from Iran, Lebanon, and Iraq, visiting significant Shi’ite shrines in the area. This protective measure was instigated by Iran to safeguard these religious groups following several attacks involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs) targeting Shi’ite pilgrims in Damascus.
With the recapture of vast stretches of the Syrian and Eastern Homs Deserts by the Syrian military and its allies, there arose a heightened demand for security forces. In April 2018, the Syrian Interior Ministry, with Russian endorsement, authorized Al-Qalaa to upgrade its arsenal significantly to aid other units like the ISIS Hunters in securing strategic infrastructures such as roads and pipelines across the desert. Subsequently, Al-Qalaa was equipped with 25 advanced 4x4 trucks outfitted with heavy machine guns and deployed across eastern Homs, southern Raqqah, and segments of the main Deir Ezzor-Homs highway.
During the 2018 Damascus International Fair, Al-Qalaa’s general manager elaborated on the company's expansion since May 2018, detailing its extended service offerings, which now include:
Protection of critical infrastructure.
Security for Shi’ite religious convoys.
Security for commercial convoys.
Engineering support.
Anti-narcotics operations.
Emergency response services.
Support for military operations.
These developments illustrate Al-Qalaa's evolution from a company with limited initial capabilities to a multifaceted security provider playing a critical role in the region's stability and security.
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