| Lions of Hussein | |
|---|---|
| Arabic:لواء أسود الحسين | |
 The logo of the militia. On the bottom the slogan "Homeland, Honour, Sincerity" is written. | |
| Leaders | Muhammad Tawfiq al-Assad †[1] Hussein Tawfiq al-Assad[2] |
| Dates of operation | 1980s – 2015(asShabiha andcriminal organization)[1] 2015 – ?(as official militia)[2] |
| Allegiance |  Ba'athist Syria |
| Headquarters | Qardaha |
| Active regions | Syria |
| Ideology | Assadism[3] Anti-Wahhabism[4] |
| Size | c. 1,000(2014)[4] |
| Part of |
|
| Allies | |
| Opponents | |
| Battles and wars | Syrian Civil War |
TheGuardians of Syria Forces - Lions of Hussein (Arabic:قوات حماة سوريا - أسود الحسين,Quwat Humat Souriya - Usud al-Hussein), formerly known asLions of Hussein Brigade (Arabic:لواء أسود الحسين,Liwa Usud al-Hussein) and often shortened toLions of Hussein, was anAlawite militia which fought for theBa'athistgovernment during theSyrian Civil War.
The unit originated fromShabiha, acriminal organization that operated inLatakia Governorate since the 1980s, and only adopted its name and appearance in 2015. Since then, the Lions of Hussein reportedly continued their "criminal activities on the side".[1]
The Lions of Hussein began as the personal gang of Muhammad Tawfiq al-Assad, a native ofQardaha and member of the widerAl-Assad family. In the 1980s, the group ransmuggling networks throughout Latakia, dealt incontraband[7] as well asdrugs,[8] and was reportedly involved inkidnappings,extortion andtheft.[1][8] Between 1989 and 1994, they operated as government-sanctioned Shabiha, with Mohammed amassing millions of Syrian pounds[7] and becoming notorious and feared as smuggler and “highway robber (قطع الطريق; qata’ al-tariq)”.[9] According to aSyrian opposition source, the activities of the group became so excessive thatBassel al-Assad had Muhammad and some of his aides thrown into prison, though they were eventually released on the orders ofBashar al-Assad.[8]
As the Syrian economy opened up, Muhammad adopted a more legal persona, entered business and bought aPhD for himself, though kept his criminal network and fief around Qardaha.[1][7] After the outbreak of the civil war in 2011, Muhammad led the recruitment of new members for Shabiha militias in Latakia. According to an opposition source, Muhammad and his men committed various unspecified atrocities in course of the conflict, causing frictions among the powerful Alawite families of Latakia. Many clans feared possible rebel reprisals due to the actions of the Shabiha, and in October 2012 this reportedly caused an armed dispute between Muhammad and a member of the Khayyir family.[8] Initially affiliated with the al-Bustan Association, Muhammad's private militia started to closely cooperate with theIranianIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in 2014.[2] Counting about 1,000 fighters at the time, the group mostly fought in northern and eastern Latakia, and was responsible for the protection of Qardaha.[4]
Muhammad was eventually killed on 12 March 2015, when he was either ambushed and shot by a rival or killed during another dispute.[1][7] After his death, his followers reportedly brought his body to the frontline at Doreen in northern Latakia and went on to claim that he had died fighting rebels. AFree Syrian Army senior commander however denied that rebel forces had killed Muhammad.[9] According to aSyrian Army soldier Muhammad had been killed just after the government had asked him to form a paramilitary unit.[10]
After Muhammad's death, his son, Hussein Tawfiq al-Assad, took control of the criminal network and its armed contingent. He went on to rebrand and reorganize it as official paramilitary unit,[1][3] and around late June/early July 2015 officially "founded" the "Lions of Hussein Brigade". According to regional expertAymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi, the new name of the group could be understood as referring both to Hussein Tawfiq al-Assad himself as well as ImamHusayn ibn Ali.[2] The reorganization aimed at reducing the group's previous negative image that had resulted from its association with Muhammad's criminal activities.[4] According to 2017 reports by theAustrian Armed Forces'Truppendienst magazine[5] and aClingendael Institute researcher[3] the militia became part of theRussian-backed andRepublican Guard-led4th Corps.[11] A commander of the Lions of Hussein later denied any affiliation with the 4th Corps or Russia. The Lions of Hussein consequently fought for the government in various war zones, participating in thePalmyra offensive (July–August 2015) against theIslamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), theAl-Ghab offensive (July–August 2015), the offensive to recaptureMarj al-Sultan airbase in late 2015, and the2015–16 Latakia offensive.[2] Meanwhile, the unit reportedly continues its "criminal activities on the side".[1]
Around February 2016, the unit underwent another reformation and reconstitution, adopting a new name: "Guardians of Syria Forces - Lions of Hussein". This was due to the group absorbing 200 fighters who had links to theRussian forces in Syria.[2] At the time, the militia was stationed nearKinsabba, and enjoyed the public support of various Alawite sheikhs.[4] By March, the Lions were active in easternAleppo.[6] The Lions of Hussein also launched a recruitment campaign in June 2016, promising recruitsLS 50,000 (US$230) for fighting in the Latakia region, and LS 80,000 (US$360) for fighting in Palmyra.[12][10][13] Furthermore, the group continued to strengthen its ties to the Revolutionary Guard, developing an "official affiliation" with it during 2016. It also joined the Latakia branch of the Iranian-backed Local Defence Forces.[2]
Alongside other units of the Local Defence Forces, the Lions of Hussein helped to break theSiege of Deir ez-Zor, closely cooperating with theTiger Forces during thebattle for the city in late 2017. Following theEastern Syria campaign (September–December 2017)'s conclusion, the group was among the units left to secureMayadin andAbu Kamal Districts against remnants of ISIL.[2]
The Lions of Hussein are considered to be "well armed";[1] their primary weapons appear to beAKMs andAK-74s,[2][12] while they employtechnicals asimprovised fighting vehicles.[2] The group also possesses heavy weapons, such asRPG-7s,[12]9K111 Fagot or9M113 Konkurs rocket launchers and at least one tank.[1]
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