Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa announced an agreement Tuesday to dissolve all armed factions and unify them under the defence ministry, according to a statement from the new administration. This move follows years of conflict that culminated in rebels seizing Damascus on December 8, forcing Bashar al-Assad to flee and ending over 13 years of civil war and decades of his family’s rule.
Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir had previously revealed plans to restructure the defence ministry, integrating former rebel groups and officers who defected from Assad’s army. Sharaa now faces the challenge of preventing clashes among the numerous groups being consolidated.
Murhaf Abu Qasra, a prominent figure in the insurgency that ousted Assad, has been appointed defence minister in the interim government. Abu Qasra’s leadership is expected to play a crucial role in maintaining stability during the transitional period.
Syria’s diverse population, including Muslim Kurds, Shi’ites, Orthodox Christians, and Druze, faced significant uncertainty during the civil war. Many feared that Sunni Islamist rule could jeopardize their way of life. Sharaa, who leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al Qaeda affiliate, has assured Western officials that the new administration will neither seek revenge against the former regime nor suppress religious minorities.
The agreement marks a significant step toward consolidating Syria’s fragmented military landscape, offering hope for a unified defence strategy under the country’s new leadership.
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