Syria Transitional Government Armed Factions Integration: A Fragile Peace in 2026

The war officially ended, but hundreds of thousands of citizens still bear arms. Since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024, Syria's transitional authority has faced the Herculean task of reunifying a fragmented nation. The process of disarming and reintegrating numerous militias into a reformed security sector remains the biggest hurdle to long-term stability.

While the Ministry of Interior (MOI) has seen success in stabilizing the coastal regions, other areas remain volatile. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continues to struggle with discipline and cohesion as it attempts to fold former opposition factions into 20 national divisions.

Syria Transitional Government Armed Factions Integration Challenges

The fragile peace was tested last week in Aleppo when government forces clashed with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). An SDF drone attack on January 5 triggered a spiral of violence, leading to the expulsion of SDF-linked militias from northwestern Aleppo by January 10. These hostilities have dealt a severe blow to integration talks mediated by the United States.

In the south, the Suwayda governorate presents a different kind of geopolitical headache. A Druze "National Guard," reportedly backed by Israel, is challenging Damascus's rule. This defiance has coincided with a 400% surge in drug trafficking toward Jordan, prompting Jordanian air strikes in late December. The situation highlights how external support for local militias undermines the transitional government's authority.