Homs Military Academy (
Arabic: الكلية العسكرية بحمص) is a military educational and training institution located in
Homs,
Syria.
History
Establishment
Homs Military Academy was founded in 1933 by France during the
Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon. During the period of French administration the academy provided officer training for the Troupes Speciales du Levant - the locally recruited Syrian and Lebanese units forming part of the
Army of the Levant.[1][2]
Continuing in existence after the end of the Mandate in 1943 and throughout various political changes, it remains the oldest and largest military service institution in Syria.[3] At first, it was primarily an academy for infantry officers, while graduates who selected the other services went on to additional specialized training at other army-operated specialist schools. Graduates were often selected for a military academy in the
Soviet Union.[4]
Homs Academy admitted entrants who did not possess high level education qualifications, as well as offering a relatively rare rapid career path for graduates. In addition to large numbers of Syrian and Lebanese nationals it also offered officer training to French citizens who were denied by class or education from attending comparable academies within France.[5]
Syrian civil war
On 23 July 2011, there were reports of explosions at the Homs Academy during the
Syrian revolution, which later denied by the Syrian military.[6] On 15 April 2012, the Syrian Army targeted the neighborhood of
al-Waer from the nearby Homs Academy during the
military confrontation in the city.[7] On 30 August 2013, the academy was evacuated and its military equipment moved, to avoid a possible air attack from the United States following the
Ghouta chemical attack.[8]
On 5 October 2023,
a drone attack during a graduation ceremony at the academy killed over 100 people.[9]
Notable alumni
Ziad al-Atassi, Major General
Lu'ay al-Atassi, Lieutenant-General, military attache to USA. Titular President during interim government.[10]