Page "Syrian Armed Forces" Paragraph 4

The Syrian Armed Forces fought in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War ( against Israel ), and were involved in a number of military coups.

Between 1948 and 1967, a series of military coups destroyed the stability of the government and any remaining professionalism within the armed forces.

In March 1949, the chief of staff, General Husni al-Za ' im, installed himself as president.

Two more military dictators followed by December 1949.

General Adib Shishakli then held power until deposed in the 1954 Syrian coup d ' etat.

Further coups followed, each attended by a purge of the officer corps to remove supporters of the losers from the force.