The Syrian Defense Minister, Marhaf Abu Qasra, has urged small armed groups that have not yet integrated with the security forces to do so within a ten-day timeframe, warning of unspecified actions if they fail to comply. This move aims to reinforce state authority following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad six months ago.
The presence of numerous weapons not under government control poses a significant challenge to President Ahmad al-Shara’s efforts to establish his rule, as both supportive and opposing factions continue to hold arms.
In a statement released late Saturday, the Defense Minister announced, “We began immediately after the liberation of Syria to work on integrating military units into a unified institutional framework. Today, we share the news with our esteemed populace about the integration of all units into the Syrian Ministry of Defense.”
He emphasized the importance of institutional work, stating, “We stress the necessity for the remaining small military groups to join the ministry within ten days from the date of this announcement, in order to complete efforts for unity and organization. We also affirm that any delay in this matter will necessitate appropriate actions in accordance with applicable laws.”
The minister did not specify which factions he was referring to.