[21] The Division had a military base in the south of Damascus, covering about 91 square kilometres (35 sq mi) and including several mountain bunkers.

[22][23] The division played a key role in the early insurgency phase of the Syrian civil war (2011–2012) in the government's attempts to defeat the rebels.

The division then conducted operations in the western and northern parts of the Damascus governorate, which consisted of blocking rebel enclaves in Wadi Barad, Jimraya, in the west Ghouta and in Al-Tal.

[26] Both the division as a whole and its component parts have been accused of engaging in human rights abuses during the Syrian uprising, such as arbitrary arrests and beatings, and the shooting of unarmed protesters.

[29] After the start of Russian military operation in Syria in 2015, the division was able to take the cities of Muadamiyat al-Sham, Khan al-Shih, Darayya and the Wadi Barada valley.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Maher al-Assad and his forces controlled the major drug manufacturing facilities of the state.

[34] Amid the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024, the 4th Armoured Division under Maher al-Assad was one of the few loyalist units to attempt defending Damascus.

These efforts were hampered by the chaos and general collapse of the Syrian Armed Forces, with 4th Division's second-in-command being killed during the Fall of Damascus.

[39][40] The 4th Division lost many experienced officers and ran its own training program, it was not adopting any practices brought in by Russia or incorporated by other army units.