Sayeret: Encyclopedia II - Sayeret - Sayeret units in the IDF

Sayeret - Sayeret units in the IDF

Combat brigades in the IDF usually have a company with improved weaponry, also known as plugat siyur (Hebrew: פלוגת-סיור, pl. plugot siyur, abbr: palsar פלס"ר), that is used to reinforce the brigade's regular forces. Other sayarot are larger units, operating under corps and commands. Although the plugot siyur are mostly oriented at battlefield support (which is their raison d'être), many have participated in special operations during recent years. All infantry units as well as the 7th Armoured Brigade have plugot siyur.

Each of the four Infantry Brigades (Golani, Givati, Nahal and Paratroopers) has its own Special Forces reconnaissance battalion (Yehidat Siyur, abbr: Yahsar). This battalion is made up of three specialized company-size units: Demolitions (Plugat Heil Handasa, abbr: Palhan), Recon (Palsar, mentioned above) and Anti-Tank (Plugat Neged Tankim, abbr: Palnat). While in the past there were differences between the three units, the IDF is now consolidating the three specialized units into one larger battalion-size unit with many different capabilities. This is part of the Yatah Project or, as it is called in English, the Low-Intensity Combat Unit project. This project aims at changing the Reconnaissance battalions into specialized urban counter terror units, that are specifically trained and equipt to operate in current combat situations.

In addition to the brigade sayeret units, IDF combat divisions have their own battalion-size recon units (Gdud Siyur, abbr: Gadsar).

There are also several battalion-size special forces units which report directly to regional, functional (navy/air-force) and the general commands. The best known of these are Sayeret Matkal and Shayetet 13.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Sayeret units in the IDF", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki