The army and security apparatus in Syria remain a vital axis for any future political trajectory, particularly under the current transitional government. These institutions have demonstrated their ability to maintain partial stability across wide areas of the country, yet they are simultaneously linked to practices that could hinder the transition toward a democratic, civilian state. The continuation of the traditional security approach, rooted in control and surveillance, raises serious concerns about the Syrian government’s capacity to implement profound reforms without facing internal resistance from within these very institutions.
Conversely, the reality suggests that any attempt to reduce the military’s role or to merge diverse factions into a unified army will encounter significant challenges on the ground, especially in areas dominated by armed groups with varying orientations. Here lies the real danger: not in the mere existence of the army and security services, but in how the Syrian government defines their scope of authority, and how it balances security guarantees with citizens’ rights, in order to prevent the reproduction of past conflicts and to pave the way for a more stable and inclusive Syria.
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The Absence of a National Doctrine Threatens Syria’s Future
Syrian academic and writer Dr. Malik Al-Hafiz, currently residing in Turkey, warns of the risks threatening Syria’s future as long as military and security institutions persist in operating with a control-based mindset, detached from any modern national vision. He stresses that such an approach obstructs the building of a stable state, despite the presence of a genuine opportunity for restructuring, provided it is grounded in professional standards, a clear defensive doctrine, and subject to civilian oversight that ensures integration into a national project reflecting Syrians’ aspirations.
Al-Hafiz points out that the Syrian army faces critical challenges, chief among them weak discipline and professionalism, fragmented loyalties, and a deficit of mutual trust with society, all of which limit its ability to function as a unifying force. As for the security agencies, he notes that while they exert direct influence over stability, they remain a source of tension if they persist solely in their surveillance-driven role. He argues that reshaping their function around citizen protection and the rule of law could transform them into a genuine pillar of stability.
Al-Hafiz further emphasizes to +963 that international and regional involvement is a decisive element in any reconstruction process, whether through pressure to adopt structural reforms or through direct support in training and reorganization. He cites international experiences such as Bosnia and Eastern Europe, which demonstrate that clear civilian oversight, a new national doctrine, and independent legal monitoring are crucial factors in successful transitions, lessons that Syria could draw upon if adapted to its local context.
He concludes that Syria’s military and security institutions still lack a coherent national doctrine, functioning instead as tools of political and social control rather than as protectors of citizens. He argues that moving toward a national doctrine requires a comprehensive reassessment of their roles, placing them under transparent civilian supervision, and ensuring their mission is redefined to serve solely the protection of Syrians, not the safeguarding of the ruling authority.
Despite the Syrian Ministry of Defense announcing the integration of more than 130 factions into its structure in recent months, and the establishment of several divisions and brigades across various provinces, the incorporation of armed groups, organizations, and military councils into the new Syrian army remains one of the greatest challenges facing the new Syrian administration in the aftermath of Bashar al-Assad’s downfall.
Also read: Can Syria End the Factionalism Inside Its Army?
Urgent Restructuring to Ensure National Security
Retired Brigadier General, writer, and political-strategic analyst Taqi al-Din al-Tannir, based in Beirut, asserts that armies and security services do not inherently threaten the future of states; rather, they may simply suffer from inadequate resources, training, or modern technologies. He stresses that Syria, after fifteen years of crises, now requires a comprehensive restructuring of its security forces, one that enhances engagement with citizens and strengthens order and discipline under the rule of law.
In statements to +963, al-Tannir highlights a clear shortfall, both locally and internationally, in supporting these forces. He underscores that a national army is fundamentally different from factional militias in terms of doctrine and allegiance, differences that inevitably affect training, readiness, and discipline, particularly under current conditions.
He further notes that the Syrian army has lost much of its weaponry and faces grave security challenges threatening national unity, most notably repeated Israeli strikes on Syrian territory. These challenges, he argues, obstruct the army’s progress and erode its preparedness and efficiency, especially in the absence of adequate training and a unified combat doctrine.
Al-Tannir criticizes Syrian officials for failing to grant the army the necessary priority in terms of establishment, equipment, and training, calling it a grave mistake. He urges supporting states, both near and far, to intensify their efforts in training the Syrian army and equipping it with expertise and capabilities, given the direct impact this would have on Syria’s security and that of the broader Arab region.
He insists on the urgent need to build a well-trained army with a unified national doctrine that incorporates all components of Syrian society, thereby enabling it to protect and serve the country under the Syrian flag.
Observers agree that rebuilding the Syrian army has become an urgent necessity amid escalating internal and external security challenges, and that any step toward strengthening its capacities and developing its national doctrine will positively reflect on the stability of Syria and the region as a whole. Some analysts also point to the emerging security cooperation between Damascus and Ankara, which includes training and technical support, as a potential turning point in the process of restructuring the Syrian army, particularly in confronting extremist groups and repeated Israeli aggressions.
