Turkey-backed Armed Factions to Merge Under Syrian Defense Ministry

A meeting between Ahmed Al-Sharaa and armed faction leaders in Damascus.
A meeting between Ahmed Al-Sharaa and armed faction leaders in Damascus.

DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – On Tuesday, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the leader of Syria’s new military operations, reached an agreement with armed faction leaders to dissolve their factions and integrate them into the Syrian Ministry of Defense, according to the state-run SANA agency.

Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad weeks ago, Syria has faced military instability due to the fragmented control of armed factions, particularly in the northern regions under the so-called Syrian National Army.

SANA reported that Al-Sharaa met with the leaders of various factions in Damascus, resulting in an agreement to dissolve all factions and bring them under the umbrella of the Ministry of Defense.

In the newly formed interim Syrian government, Al-Sharaa appointed Murhaf Abu Qasra as acting Minister of Defense. Abu Qasra, an engineer, participated in the meeting to discuss the structure of the new military institution.

Salem Turki Al-Antri, the leader of the Free Syrian Army, told Al Arabiya Al Hadath, “We have no issues with the new administration and are willing to integrate into the new Ministry of Defense. We will continue to ensure security in our regions.”