The Syrian Arab Army is the land force branch of the Syrian Armed Forces. The Syrian Arab Army exists as the primary land force branch of the Syrian Armed Forces, which dominates the military service of the four uniformed services, controlling the most senior posts in the armed forces, and having the greatest manpower, approximately 80 percent of the combined services. The Syrian Arab Army originated in local military forces formed by the French after World War I, after France obtained a mandate over the region. It officially came into being in 1945, before Syria obtained full independence the following year and 2 years after official independence.