Skip to main content

Syria seeks to integrate myriad paramilitaries

The Syrian government faces a "what now?" dilemma as it struggles to deal with all the militant groups it recruited to fight for the regime, along with rebels who have surrendered.
Syrian soldiers and pro-regime militiamen man a heavy machine-gun mounted on the back of a pickup truck as they ride in the recently retaken desert town of Al-Qaryatain on October 26, 2017.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, reported on October 23, 2017 that Islamic State (IS) group militants massacred more than 100 people in the desert town of Al-Qaryatain during the month before they lost it to regime forces.
Before the civil war broke out in 2011, al-Qaryatain was a symbol
Read in 

Syria appears to have way too much of a "good" thing. The regime finds itself flooded with numerous paramilitary networks originally created to support its war against the opposition. That yearslong civil war seems to be winding down, though peace talks have been anything but smooth.

The government is working to stabilize security in the areas under its control, in part by reintegrating the paramilitary groups into its forces. These thousands of militants include former rebels who have surrendered. So far, it's been a small-scale effort conducted by superficial means. The regime needs to develop a long-term, institutionalized plan.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.