UPDATE – Syria factions agree to dissolve, merge under defense ministry

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS

By Rania Abu Shamala

ISTANBUL (AA) – Syrian armed factions agreed on Tuesday to dissolve themselves and merge under the Defense Ministry, state media said.

The state news agency SANA said the move was taken during a meeting in Damascus between the head of Syria’s new administration Ahmed al-Sharaa and representatives of the revolutionary factions in the country.

Photos published by SANA showed a large number of Syrian faction leaders attending the meeting with al-Sharaa.

On Sunday, the Syrian leader stated during a press conference in Damascus alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan that the factions will announce their dissolution and enter the army.

“During the revolution, there were many groups, but that can't continue in the state. In the coming days, a Defense Ministry will be announced, and a committee of senior military officials will be formed to create Syria's future army. Afterwards, the groups will disband."

Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963.

The takeover came after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighters captured key cities in a lightning offensive that lasted less than two weeks.