The government gives armed groups 10 days to join its forces

Syrian Minister of Defense Mourhaf Abou Qasra, on Saturday, gave armed groups a 10-day deadline to join the country’s forces, the latest attempt to unify ranks after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad.

After overthrowing Bashar al-Assad last December, the new government of Ahmad al-Sharaa dissolved the army and security agencies linked to the deposed leader.

It then announced the dissolution of all armed factions, including the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group led by Sharaa, which had led the offensive that removed Assad from power.

“Anyone who was armed and has the capacity to join the Ministry of Defense will be welcome,” said Sharaa, now interim president. “Immediately after the liberation of Syria, we worked on integrating the [armed groups] into a unified institution,” said Abou Qasra in a statement, who faces the heavy task of rebuilding the Syrian army after nearly 14 years of civil war.

Read also

Sharia, jihad and settling scores: Behind the radical wing of the new Syrian regime

The minister announced “the integration of all units within the Syrian Ministry of Defense,” but emphasized “the necessity for the smaller military groups that have not yet done so to join the ministry within a maximum period of 10 days from this announcement.”

“In case of delay, appropriate measures will be taken in accordance with the law,” added Abou Qasra, without further details. 

The new government is struggling to establish control over the entire territory due to the presence of armed groups with diverse allegiances.

Le pouvoir donne 10 jours à des groupes armés pour rejoindre ses forces