Syrian armed groups to be merged into one structure, says al-Sharaa

Various Syrian armed groups are set to merge into a single structure under the auspices of the country’s Defense Ministry, according to Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, the militant leader of the primary group leading the Syrian opposition.

In a statement to Syrian media, al-Sharaa announced, “The Syrian armed groups will be united into one structure within a new army under the Defense Ministry,” Caliber.Az reports.

Al-Sharaa held discussions with the leaders of various armed groups to finalize the framework for the Syrian army in the event of President Bashar al-Assad's ouster. This initiative marks a significant step toward restructuring the opposition forces into a more cohesive military entity.

In late November, opposition fighters launched a large-scale offensive against Syrian government positions in Aleppo and Idlib governorates. By December 7, anti-Assad forces had seized several key cities, including Aleppo, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Deraa, and Homs. On December 8, opposition forces entered Damascus after Syrian army units withdrew from the city.

On December 10, Mohammed al-Bashir, who has led the so-called Syrian Salvation Government in Idlib province since January 2024, announced his appointment as head of the Syrian transitional cabinet. This government is expected to remain in place until March 1, 2025, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict and efforts to establish a new political structure in Syria.

By Khagan Isayev