The Internal Security Forces (; abbr.: ISF) are the national police service and internal security force of Syria.
It is primarily responsible for law enforcement, protecting civilians and properties alongside investigating crimes with assistance from the General Intelligence Service, and for drug-related cases, the Drug Enforcement Department. It also performs other routine police functions, including traffic control. It is administered and controlled by the Ministry of Interior.
History
The Internal Security Forces, or known as the General Security Service at the time, was the police force of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which controlled areas in Northern Syria, replacing the Free Syrian Police before it was transferred to the interior ministry of the Syrian Salvation Government in April 2024. Its roots could be traced to 1945 when the Public Security Police was formed. A police academy was opened in September 2023 and produced its first batch of graduates in August 2024.
The Ba'athist-led Public Security Police collapsed in 2024 with the fall of the Assad regime. HTS brought the General Security Service from Idlib to maintain order and security in recently captured areas in the country. In January 2025, the new de facto rulers of Syria, the Syrian caretaker government, made preparations to reorganize the General Security Service as Syria's police force, including Sharia as part of the police training.
On 29 November 2025, the Syrian Ministry of Interior presented several new police vehicles. The vehicles, all Hyundai models, include: Armoured variants assigned to the Diplomatic Security and Officials Protection units; Vehicles for the Criminal Investigations Department; Patrol cars for the Road Security (traffic police) branch. On 30 November 2025, the Syrian Arab News Agency published images of several new vehicle designs for the Ministry of Interior's vehicles, including the vehicles of the Internal Security Forces.
Incidents
Involvement in the 2025 massacres of Alawites In March 2025, members of the at the time General Security Service were accused of taking part in the 2025 massacres against Alawite civilians along Syria's coastal regions.
Death of Mohammed Hossam al-Din Ghamira On August 2026, Mohammed Hossam al-Din Ghamira was pronounced dead at Latakia University Hospital due to his injuries and complications as a result of haemophilia after he was beaten by several police officers whilst under arrest at a police station in Al-Haffah, Latakia. According to both Interior Minister Anas Khattab and Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh, the officers responsible for his death were later arrested for further investigation.
Equipment
Protective gear NamePhotoOriginNotesRuyin-5Standard issue.Future Assault Shell Technology Standard issue.
Small arms
Pistols NamePhotoOriginCartridgeNotesMakarov9×18mm Makarov
Battle and semi-auto rifles NamePhotoOriginCartridgeNotesSKS7.62×39mmGold-plated variant. Used for ceremonial purposes.Heckler & Koch G37.62×51mm NATODonated by Turkey.
Assault rifles NamePhotoOriginCartridgeNotesAK-477.62×39mmStandard issue. Also used by special forces.AKM7.62×39mmStandard issue.M4 carbine5.56×45mm NATOSeen during clashes with Islamic State forces.
Vehicles NamePhotoOriginNotesHyundai TucsonMitsubishi Pajero SportSeen in use by traffic security police.Chevrolet SuburbanSeen in use by diplomatic security forces.Mitsubishi TritonNissan PatrolSeen in use by traffic security police.Hyundai StariaToyota Land Cruiser PradoSeen in use by special forces.Fengon 580Used by the Tourist Police.
See also Law enforcement in Syria Ministry of Interior (Syria)
References