After years of devastating conflict, efforts are now underway to rebuild the Syrian army under the leadership of transitional president Ahmad Al-Sharaa. A key part of this effort is the development of a new military doctrine aimed at overcoming internal divisions and fostering long-term stability. According to political analysts and military experts, this emerging doctrine is non-sectarian and focused on protecting the Syrian people and restoring national sovereignty. The plan envisions a force of approximately 300,000 soldiers, organized into 20 divisions, adopting a hybrid model that combines traditional combat strategies with modern technology.
Political analyst Samer Khilewi told +963 that “national unity and citizenship form the cornerstone for building a new and stable Syria, both now and in the future.” He emphasized that allegiance must be to the Syrian state, transcending sectarian, ethnic, or regional loyalties, where all citizens share the same rights and responsibilities.
Military expert Abdullah Al-Assad echoed this view, stating: “The new military doctrine significantly differs from the previous one. It defines the army’s strategic approach, its battle plans, and the core ideology that guides its operations.”
He added: “This new army has gained substantial expertise, particularly in industrial technology, artificial intelligence, and advanced weaponry, including drones. The new forces have excelled in operating Shahed drones, which is a critical capability. Remarkably, around 70% of the army’s personnel are university students or graduates with diverse academic backgrounds.”
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A Civil Army Under the Rule of Law
On the political front, Al-Sharaa is working to build an army that aligns with the vision of a new, civilian-led government grounded in strong institutions and the rule of law. This includes calls for national reconciliation across all segments of Syrian society and ensuring fair representation in both military and security institutions.
A key part of this vision is integrating former armed factions into the restructured army. This step is designed to unify the military doctrine across all units, promote discipline, and ensure that the army functions as a cohesive force.
The new leadership is also emphasizing the importance of humanitarian principles in military operations. New codes of conduct have been issued to build a national, professional army that respects human rights, though the real-world implementation of these principles remains a subject of scrutiny.
Commenting on the integration of former factions, Khilewi said: “As long as the new army is free from sectarian, ethnic, or regional biases, it should be a source of security, not fear. In fact, bringing these factions under the army’s structure will transform them from independent fighting groups into loyal units operating under the command of the state.”
He explained that this process would “dissolve divisions and ensure that the state is the sole authority supervising these groups, enhancing control and operational coherence.”
On the issue of protecting civilians, Al-Assad said: “There has been noticeable progress in the past few months. Civilians are increasingly treated with dignity and respect, clearly separated from those engaged in armed conflict against the state. This shift helps reinforce the army’s role as a protector, not a threat, to civilians.”
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Integration Challenges: Foreign Fighters and Religious Influence
Despite these promising goals, the army’s rebuilding process faces significant challenges. One area of concern is the growing religious influence within training camps, where Islamic teachings and religious practices are being emphasized. Some observers worry that this could undermine the goal of creating a truly non-sectarian national army.
Additionally, plans to incorporate foreign fighters, including recruits from groups like the Uyghurs have raised questions about the army’s cohesion and national identity. Reports suggest that around 3,500 foreign fighters are expected to join the army, sparking concerns about long-term unity and the security implications for Syria’s future.
The integration of these fighters is part of broader disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) programs aimed at collecting weapons from various factions and fostering cohesion among new recruits.
Political analyst Khilewi downplayed the risks, saying: “The number of foreign fighters is relatively small, around 3,000 to 5,000, which is insignificant compared to the size of the new Syrian army. This is not unprecedented; foreign fighters have participated in revolutions and liberation movements around the world, including in Cuba, Bosnia, France, and Ukraine. They should be honoured for their contributions but not placed in senior leadership roles.”
Military expert Brigadier General Fayez Al-Asmar agreed, emphasizing that the presence of foreign fighters “should not be seen as a source of tension, but rather as a factor of support and stability.” He noted that this practice has historical precedents in many liberation movements.
Al-Asmar added: “The inclusion of foreign fighters is not a new phenomenon. France, the U.S., and Bosnia have all had similar experiences, often assigning these fighters to special units that typically do not remain active for long.”
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A Strategy of Internal Deterrence and Modernization
The Syrian army’s new doctrine focuses primarily on internal deterrence, as the current situation does not allow for meaningful external deterrence. Al-Sharaa stated that “the current doctrine is centred on internal deterrence,” emphasizing the need to address domestic threats over external ones for the time being.
Nonetheless, the new leadership is actively working to rebuild diplomatic relations with regional and international partners to modernize the army and learn from advanced military practices. Restoring ties with Arab states and opening channels with the West are considered essential parts of this strategy.
Commenting on the importance of military discipline and the new defence charter, Al-Asmar said: “Superior combat performance requires not just advanced weapons and training, but also a high level of strict discipline, which strengthens morale and drives soldiers to fight courageously. Real-life combat exercises and high-quality training are essential to prepare the army for future battles.”
In the past few days, the Syrian Ministry of Defense announced a new military service charter, following the near completion of integrating former armed factions into the national army structure.
According to Al-Asmar: “The new military charter aims to establish a professional, disciplined, and law-abiding national army that respects the rights of all citizens and defends national unity and sovereignty while adhering to international humanitarian law. The new doctrine blends modern technology with numerical strength and addresses post-conflict challenges, such as terrorism and cyber warfare, while focusing on enhancing Syria’s air, ground, and special forces capabilities in line with the country’s geography and resources.”
