Sensing that they depend on the largely secular government, many of the militias of Syrian Christians (like Sootoro in Al-Hasakah) fight on the Baathist Syrian government's side and seek to defend their ancient towns, villages and farmsteads from ISIL (see also Christian Militias in Syria). NDF members, like regular army soldiers, are allowed to loot the battlefields (but only if they participate in raids with the army), and can sell the loot for extra money. The force has a 500-strong women's wing called " Lionesses of National Defense" which operates checkpoints. The force acts in an infantry role, directly fighting against rebels on the ground and running counter-insurgency operations in coordination with the army, who provides them with logistical and artillery support. They receive their salaries and military equipment from the government, and in 2013 numbered around 100,000 troops. The Syrian NDF was formed out of pro-government militias. Main article: National Defence Forces (Syria)
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