Syria faces significant challenges in integrating armed factions amid ongoing conflict and instability.

As Syria embarks on a new chapter following the conclusion of its long-standing civil conflict, the nation grapples with the significant challenge of stabilizing and reintegrating its fragmented society. With the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024, the transitional authority faces the uphill task of disarmament and reconstruction while navigating the complex relationships among diverse factions that have emerged over the years. This critical juncture, marked by persistent tensions and the demand for a unified governance structure, illustrates the profound struggle facing a nation eager to reshape its future amidst potential internal conflicts and external geopolitical influences.

In December 2024, Syria’s civil conflict officially concluded with the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, yet the aftermath left a significant number of armed citizens. After nearly 14 years of war, factions proliferated throughout the country, from the opposition groups in the northwest to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northeast. These developments presented a formidable challenge for Syria’s transitional authority, tasked with demilitarizing society and re-establishing unity in a nation starkly divided by violent conflict.

The initial steps towards this goal included the swift dissolution of the al-Assad regime’s armed forces and the initiation of a status settlement process, allowing soldiers to register for civilian life or to rejoin a new army. Thousands chose to embark on this journey towards rehabilitation; however, some, particularly in the Alawite-majority coastal region, abstained, opting to join anti-government factions instead. This ongoing resistance led to violent confrontations, including a coordinated attack that resulted in over 100 government personnel deaths and escalated into a week of widespread violence, claiming more than 1,000 lives.

Despite this turmoil, many former regime personnel have received training to join Syria’s new security forces. Efforts to rebuild the Ministry of Defence are underway, establishing a framework for a robust national military as well as specialized counterterrorism and cyber units. However, tensions remain, especially with support still flowing from former regime figures in exile and allies, which complicates the country’s geopolitical relations.

The transitional authority is focused on creating a cohesive security structure, where the Ministry of Interior has taken a more pronounced role in addressing local security issues, resulting in improvements in many areas. The shift to MOI forces, predominantly composed of newly recruited individuals, has engendered a marked reduction in violence, particularly in the coastal region, which has shifted from one of the most volatile areas to a more stable environment.

Nonetheless, territorial issues persist in the northeast and southern regions, where armed groups act as alternatives to central governance, constantly testing the authority of the transitional government. The ongoing negotiations aimed at integrating the SDF have yet to yield significant results, and tensions remain high, particularly following a recent skirmish that escalated violence in Aleppo.

In the southern Suwayda region, rising drug trafficking and militia activity pose serious challenges to security, exacerbated by external influences and the involvement of former regime officers in local militias. This situation contributes to instability that complicates Syria’s efforts to establish a cohesive and peaceful future.

The successful resolution of these factions is inherently political, intertwined with the challenges stemming from Syria’s civil conflict and the transitional process. While the international community’s support bolsters Syria’s transitional government, geopolitical tensions threaten to obstruct integration efforts, prolonging instability in a nation that aspires to harmony and growth following years of war.

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