As Syria gained independence in 1946 , its leaders envisioned a division-sized army . On June 19 , 1947 , the Syrian Army took the survivors of Pan Am Flight 121 to the Presbyterian mission hospital at Deir ez-Zor . The 1st Brigade was ready by the time of the Syrian war against Israel on May 15 , 1948 . It consisted of two infantry battalions and one armored battalion . The 2nd Brigade was organized during the 1948 Arab – Israeli War and also included two infantry battalions and one armored battalion
Pan Am Flight 121
Pan Am Flight 121
Syrian Army