Syria’s challenges to rebuild its armed forces

Al JazeeraCenterEN 7 min read 100% complete by Justin SalhaniJanuary 4, 2026 at 08:18 AM

AI Summary

long article 7 min

A year after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, Syria's interim government is prioritizing rebuilding its national army and security forces. The restructuring process aims to create a professional army loyal to the country, moving away from the previous regime's focus on suppressing dissent. Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra highlighted efforts to develop all branches of the armed forces and increase military preparedness. However, analysts caution that rebuilding the army will be a long and difficult process. Key challenges include vetting recruits, deciding on equipment sources, integrating various armed groups, and building trust among minority groups. The success of this rebuilding effort is considered crucial for achieving political stability and attracting foreign investment.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Aleppo 40% Damascus ×240% Russian Federation 50% Murhaf Abu Qasra ×260% Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) 60% Bashar al-Assad ×270% Syria ×890%

Keywords

rebuilding armed forces 100% syria 90% national army 80% security forces 70% interim government 60% military restructuring 60% military preparedness 50% political stability 50% russian equipment 40% syrian democratic forces 40%