Suqur al-Sahara

Suqur al-Sahara (صقور الصحراء, in English Desert Falcons) is an armed branch of the Syrian Arab Army fighting on the side of the Syrian government in the Syrian Civil War. It is primarily composed of former military officers and veterans as well as volunteers from other pro-government groups, with an age range of 25 to 40 years. Suqur al-Sahara has been described as an "elite" group trained in ambush tactics, and has been employed in special assignments on several fronts. The group is equipped with light and medium arms, and is given artillery support from the regular Syrian Arab Army when needed.

The group was formed in Homs Governorate and operated in the desert regions bordering Iraq and Jordan to cut routes used by anti-government rebel groups to smuggle fighters and supplies in and out of Syria. It participated in the June 2013 capture of the town of al-Qaryatayn, where it lost one of its commanders in the fighting. After rebels launched an offensive in northern Latakia Governorate and seized control of the majority-Armenian town of Kessab, Suqur al-Sahara was transferred to that front, where its members helped lead the capture of the strategic height of Tower 45, losing at least three members in combat.