Damascus
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, May 24, Nour al-Din al-Baba said the Ministry had decided to merge the police and public security agencies into a single entity under the name “Internal Security Command.” This unified command will operate at the governorate level and be led by a commander who represents the Minister of Interior. Several directorates within the administrative regions of each governorate will report directly to this commander.
Al-Baba also revealed that the Ministry is working to modernise its operations by streamlining procedures, automating data systems, and introducing new personal identification cards featuring a modern visual identity reflective of the “new Syria.” He noted the establishment of departments dedicated to receiving complaints, monitoring misconduct, and addressing behavioural violations. A mobile application for submitting complaints is also in development and will be launched soon.
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The Ministry has created separate departments for communications, information networks, cybersecurity, and communications security. A new department dedicated to prisons and corrections has also been established.
As part of the overhaul, the former “Criminal Security” division has been renamed the “Criminal Investigation Department.” Al-Baba said a new traffic vision based on smart city concepts is being developed, where modern technologies will perform the duties traditionally handled by traffic officers.
Additional new departments include the Anti-Human Trafficking Department and the Tourist Police Department, the latter of which will be responsible for securing tourist sites and assisting visitors. Personnel in this department will receive training in foreign languages and intercultural communication.
In coordination with the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Interior is also preparing a legislative package aimed at reducing the widespread possession of illegal weapons and curbing their proliferation.
Al-Baba added that the Ministry is working to resolve the legal status of approximately eight million individuals wanted.
