The New Syrian Army, Between Military Doctrine and Religious Orientation

Armies are the backbone of modern states, the symbol of their power and the protector of their sovereignty.

From this perspective, the establishment of any new army in Syria must be based on clear national foundations, away from any specific ideological or religious orientation, to ensure its inclusiveness and independence.

The seriousness of the military’s religious ideological character:

The emergence of Syria’s new army chanting religious chants and raising Islamist slogans may seem spontaneous or inspired by the contexts of war and cultural identity, but it carries significant risks on several levels:

1. Diplomatic and regional implications:
   • Presenting the New Syrian Army to the world as an Islamic ideological army could raise international and regional concerns.
   • The international community, which views any military formation with a religious character with caution, may see it as an extension of unsuccessful experiences in the region, limiting its international legitimacy and its ability to build balanced diplomatic and military relations. Neighboring countries, some of which suffer from sectarian challenges or ideologically motivated armed movements, may also be wary of the emergence of a military entity with a clearly religious character.
2. Influencing national pluralism within the military:
   • The army is the national institution that should include all Syrians, regardless of their beliefs and affiliations, and when it is imprinted with a single religious identity, it excludes – directly or indirectly – other components that may feel unaffiliated with this orientation.
   • Syria is a multi-confessional country, and if the future army is to represent the future state, it must reflect this diversity, not become an institution with a narrow religious or sectarian identity.
3. Threatening the unity of the Syrian social fabric:
   • Adopting a religious discourse within the army may contribute to deepening divisions within Syrian society. Many Syrians of all orientations want an army that reflects all of them, not just one group. If a particular religious orientation is imposed, this may lead to the reluctance of many to join it, creating a vacuum within the military institution and opening the door to parallel formations outside the framework of the state.

A rational and balanced view of the common good:

We at Syrian Future Movement do not approach this issue from a personal or ideological standpoint, but rather from the angle of the short- and long-term interests of Syria and Syrians.

Building a strong and independent national army requires that it be free from religious or political ideology and be based on purely professional foundations, ensuring its loyalty to the country only.

The next army must be for all Syrians, without exception, so that everyone feels that it represents and protects them, without discrimination based on religion or sect. Historical experiences have proven that ideological armies often turn into authoritarian tools or internal forces of conflict, instead of being inclusive institutions of the state and society.

See Syrian Future Movement:

Syrian Future Movement believes that building a modern national army is a key pillar in building the new Syrian state, and from this point of view, we recommend the following:

1. Distancing the military from any religious or political ideology:
   • The next Syrian army must be a purely national army, free from ideological tensions, and its only loyalty must be to the country and the people, not to any religious or political ideology or movement.

2. Unifying military discourse around inclusive national values:
   • Military discourse should be unified around national values, such as protecting Syria’s sovereignty, defending its territorial integrity, and protecting all its citizens without discrimination, rather than adopting slogans of a religious or factional nature.

3. Strengthening professional military doctrine:
   • The army’s doctrine should be based on professionalism, discipline, and loyalty to the homeland, according to the standards of modern armies, which ensures its stability and keeps it away from internal conflicts or narrow loyalties.

4. Establishing international partnerships that support an independent national army:
   • We call for building strategic partnerships with countries that support a modern and advanced Syrian army that adheres to international laws and professional standards, which strengthens its legitimacy and gives it strength and balance in the local and international scene.

5. Respect diversity within the military:
   • The Syrian army should be a model of national unity, including all Syrians of all affiliations, without exclusion or discrimination, which strengthens everyone’s sense of belonging to it as a protector of the homeland and not to a particular belief or current.

Conclusion:

According to Syrian Future Movement, the establishment of an inclusive national army, free from religious or political ideology, is an essential step towards building a stable and advanced state.
The future of Syria requires a modern army that reflects all Syrians and does not turn into an institution with a narrow religious or ideological character, because any deviation from this path could lead to a repeat of disastrous experiences in the region.
The challenge today is not in the army’s slogan, but in its ability to protect Syria and Syrians of all backgrounds and move towards a future that promotes security and stability and establishes a state that respects everyone and fulfills their aspirations.

Presidential Office
Dr. Dr. Zahir Badrani
Article
Syrian Future Movement