National Defence Force

The National Defence Force (NDF) is the national guard formalised and professionalised by the Levant Arab Republic from former wartime militias. It is organised on a part-time volunteer basis as reserves to supplement the Levant Armed Forces. The NDF is made from units throughout the country and run by volunteers.

Role
The National Defence Force in peacetime serve as local security forces, working with law enforcement in their tasks of counter-insurgency and military intelligence for the apprehension of suspected spies.

In wartime, the National Defence Force serve as the home-guard to allow the main armed forces to fight in the frontlines. In this duty they take the duties of manning checkpoints, support rearline tasks of the armed forces such as defending supply convoys and key military installations. If wars reach the country itself the National Defence Force serve as support infantry, and see combat for their advantage in local terrain knowledge.

Structure
The National Defence Force is structured by State, and Governorate under the Governor during peacetime or military commanders in war.

Training
Each member, depending on role is given minimum two weeks training. General training is overseen by the Levant Arab Army.

Outside of weapons training, recruits receive training in guerrilla and urban warfare and the capture and control of checkpoints. Analysts have compared the training to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of the former Iranian regime.

Further training vary by state. Chechen "Spetsnaz" were sighted training several Syrian NDF units. There are disputed reports of former Hezbollah personnel receiving shorter prison sentences in exchange for training Lebanon-based NDF personnel. It is known that Palestinian militias such as Liwa Al-Quds and the Palestinian Liberation Army reformed into NDF units. In Jordan however, the NDF retain the traditions of the Royal Jordanian Army.

Equipment
Main article: Equipment of the Levantine Armed Forces

The equipment of the National Defence Forces is supplied by the government, and controlled. Militiamen only receive access to small-arms in peace, but are trained in the use of heavy equipment such as machine guns as well. Each militiamen are responsible for the safeguarding of their own weapon and ammunition.