The Syrian conflict, which quickly saw the emergence of hundreds of rival rebel groups, has gradually narrowed to include only a few major factions. The SNA was established as an umbrella organisation unifying several opposition factions under Turkish backing, encompassing a diverse array of actors. Following the end of the Assad government, interim Syrian president Ahmad al-Sharaa announced the dissolution of SNA factions, and the integration of their fighters into the Ministry of Defence (MOD), a move framed as a step toward military unification. However, this integration remains fragile and largely symbolic, as many factions continue to operate with significant autonomy. Understanding the motivations of fighters in the SNA up to this point is crucial for predicting and influencing how armed groups may act in Syria’s next phase.
Shifting loyalties: understanding fighter motivations in Syria’s transitional phase
With the collapse of the Assad regime, a key challenge for Syria’s transition government will be to create new governance structures and unify armed factions under a centralised authority. Understanding fighter motivations in groups such as the Syrian National Army can inform strategies to manage them.