Syrian armed factions agree to dissolve and merge under Defense Ministry
Footages from the meeting that took place between Syrian armed faction leaders and the Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Shara. (SANA Photo)
Syrian armed factions have agreed to dissolve themselves and merge under a newly established Defense Ministry, according to state media reports.
The agreement was reached during a meeting in Damascus between Ahmed al-Sharaa, the de facto leader of Syria’s new administration, and representatives of the country’s revolutionary factions.
Photos published by the state news agency SANA showed numerous faction leaders present at the meeting.
Steps toward unified military structure in Syria
During a press conference held earlier in Damascus alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Sharaa emphasized the need for a unified military structure.
“During the revolution, there were many groups, but that cannot continue in the state. In the coming days, a Defense Ministry will be announced, and a committee of senior military officials will be formed to create Syria’s future army. Afterward, the groups will disband,” he stated.
Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir also noted last week that the Defense Ministry would integrate former opposition factions and officers who had previously defected from Bashar al-Assad’s military forces.
The dissolution and integration of armed factions mark a significant milestone in Syria’s transition from years of civil war to a more centralized governance structure. While the road ahead remains uncertain, the formation of a unified army under a Defense Ministry signals a potential step toward long-term stability.
