Syrian armed groups agree on dissolution

DAMASCUS — Syria's new leaders announced on Tuesday that they had reached an agreement with the country's other military factions on their dissolution and integration under the Defense Ministry.

Absent from the meeting were representatives of the US-backed, Kurdish-led forces that control swathes of Syria's northeast.

The meeting between the military groups and head of Syria's de facto governing group, Ahmed al-Sharaa, "ended in an agreement on the dissolution of all the groups and their integration under the supervision of the Ministry of Defense", said a statement carried by state news agency SANA and the authorities' Telegram account.

The announcement came as Syria navigates a sensitive political transition following the downfall of the previous government on Dec 8.

A militant alliance led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, waged a major military operation from northern Syria on Nov 27. It swept southward, captured the capital Damascus and overthrew former president Bashar al-Assad's government within 12 days.

On Sunday, Sharaa, commander of HTS, had said the new authorities would "absolutely not allow there to be weapons in the country outside state control".

That also applied to the Kurdishled Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, he said.

Last week, Sharaa told AFP that Kurdish-held areas would be integrated under the new leadership and that "Syria will not be divided".

SDF spokesman Farhad Shami told AFP the question of his group's integration into the national armed forces "should be discussed directly".

He did not dismiss the possibility, saying that doing so would strengthen "the whole of Syria".

Shami added that his forces prefer "dialogue with Damascus to resolve all questions".

Serving the people

Meanwhile, Asaad al-Shaibani, the newly appointed foreign minister by Syria's interim administration, pledged on Tuesday to prioritize serving the people and representing "every segment of society", asserting that the country will reclaim its regional and international role.

In a series of posts on X, Shaibani emphasized that protecting citizens' rights and interests, as well as ensuring fair representation of all ethnic and social groups, will be the "compass" guiding Syria's future.

"In the new Syria, everyone will feel they belong," he said, adding that the state aims to guarantee dignity, freedom and a return home for those displaced by past conflicts.

Acknowledging the struggles endured by the Syrian people, Shaibani highlighted "the immense sacrifices and suffering" they have faced.

"Our sole tribute to those victims", he said, "is to ensure such atrocities never happen again and to bring perpetrators to justice".

Regarding Syria's position in the international arena, Shaibani stated he would represent the country "with sincerity and strength", emphasizing the interim government's commitment to creating a "brighter future".

He also urged Syrian youth to contribute to the rebuilding of the country and to lead it toward innovation and progress.

"We require the efforts of all young Syrians to shape the present and map out the future," he said.

In another post on X, Shaibani warned Iran against "spreading chaos" in Syria, urging the country to "respect the will of the Syrian people". Iran has long been a key ally of Assad.

Shaibani, born in 1987, was appointed on Saturday by the Syrian interim administration, which is supported by HTS. He is known for his pivotal role as the head of HTS' political affairs department.

Xinhua-Agencies