Pro-Syrian opposition media circulated reports about a new security formation in the regime’s army, linked with the regime’s security apparatus.
MENA Research and Study Center has obtained information about the new formation, “Sanad Military Security.”
According to MENA’s sources, the group is led by Raslan Esbar, a brigadier general of the Syrian regime army, working under the name “Sanad Guard and Security Services Company”, owned by Ahmed Khalil and Nasser Deeb Deeb, with a stake of 50% for each.
The sources confirmed that the formation’s mission is limited to escorting and protecting convoys and cars, and that it is backed by the regime’s military security and has direct connections with Russian forces.
The sources noted that most of the security guard and protection companies licensed in Syria are directly affiliated with the Military Intelligence Division, known in Syria as the Military Security.
The company was established in 2016, located in the southern section of the Russia-controlled T4 military airport in eastern Homs.
According to MENA sources, it consists of around 100 members chosen on a sectarian basis, most of them had carried out several military operations in different areas of Syria.
Sanad license’ decision
According to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Consumer Protection’s decree No. 2337, viewed by MENA, the Ministry has approved the license of Sanad Gurad and Security Services LTD. with a capital of 50 million Syrian pounds.
The company has the right to provide protection and guarding services for establishments, property individuals, the protection of documents, as well as transferring money, jewelry, and precious metals to those who request such services.
According to the license, the company is allowed to import whatever needed for accomplishing its missions, after obtaining the approval of the Syrian Ministry of the Interior in accordance with the regulations, except for selling and trading in housing.
It is noteworthy that the internet presence of the Arab companies has included Sanad in the list as a limited company, based in Damascus.
Media reports said the Sanad forces are mainly present in the Syrian Desert, and they amount to 800 members with a salary of $200 for fighters.
According to media reports, a new military formation supported by Russia and operating in eastern Syrian has recently emerged.
The formation later describes itself as a special security guard company that has nothing to do with the conflict in Syria, the headquarters located in the city of Deir Ezzor.
Analysts believe that the reason behind Russia’s support for that company is to gain a foothold in the Syrian desert, where US forces, Iranian and Iraqi militias are present, while Russia has almost no presence there.
Russian Honoring
Pro-regime media has recently circulated a copy of an honor certificate, granted by the Russian military in Syria, for the Sanad commander Raslan Esbar.
“The Russian forces thank Brigadier General for leading the military units in his sector and combatting the international terrorism, targeting the Syrian Arab Republic.”
The recently established private security companies are protecting the banks of Bemo, Syria and overseas, Al Baraka, and Islamic International Bank, as well as the Al Safir Hotel in Homs, at which the negotiations between the Syrian regime and besieged civilians in Homs took place after the city’s siege.
It is noteworthy that security and guard companies are a new phenomenon in Syria, and they are owned by persons linked to the Syrian regime and its intelligence apparatus.
