The New Syrian Army: Between Military Doctrine and Religious Orientations

Armies form the backbone of modern states, serving as a symbol of their strength and a protector of their sovereignty.

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

The Danger of a Religious-Ideological Army:

The emergence of the new army in Syria, chanting religious slogans and raising Islamic banners, may seem spontaneous or influenced by the context of war and the prevailing cultural identity. However, it carries significant risks on multiple levels.

1. Diplomatic and Regional Implications:
   • Presenting the New Syrian Army to the world as an Islamic ideological force may raise concerns on both international and regional levels.
   • The international community, which views any military formation with a religious character with caution, may perceive it as an extension of unsuccessful experiences in the region, limiting its international legitimacy and its ability to establish balanced diplomatic and military relations. Additionally, neighboring countries, some of which struggle with sectarian challenges or ideologically driven armed movements, may be wary of the emergence of a military entity with a clear religious identity.
2. Impact on National Pluralism Within the Army:
   • The army is a national institution that must include all Syrians, regardless of their beliefs and affiliations. When it is shaped by a single religious identity, it directly or indirectly excludes other components that may feel disconnected from this orientation.
   • Syria is a country of multiple sects and denominations, and if the future army is to represent the state of tomorrow, it must reflect this diversity rather than become an institution with a narrow religious or sectarian identity.
3. Threat to the Unity of Syria’s Social Fabric:
   • Adopting religious rhetoric within the army may deepen divisions within Syrian society, as many Syrians, regardless of their orientations, seek a military force that represents all of them—not just one group over another.
   • If a specific religious orientation is imposed, it could deter many from joining, creating a vacuum within the military institution and opening the door for parallel formations outside the framework of the state.

A Rational and Balanced Vision for the Public Interest:

At the Syrian Future Movement, we do not approach this issue from a personal or ideological perspective but rather from the standpoint of Syria’s and Syrians’ best interests, both in the short and long term.

Building a strong and independent national army requires it to remain free from religious or political ideologization and to be founded on purely professional principles that ensure its loyalty to the nation alone.

The future army must belong to all Syrians without exception, so that everyone feels it represents and protects them, without discrimination based on religion or sect. Historical experiences have shown that ideological armies often turn into authoritarian tools or sources of internal conflict, rather than institutions that unify the state and society.

The Syrian Future Movement’s Vision:

The Syrian Future Movement believes that building a modern national army is a fundamental pillar in establishing the new Syrian state. From this perspective, we recommend the following:

1. Distance the Army from Any Religious or Political Ideology:
   • The future Syrian army must be a purely national army, free from ideological conflicts, with its loyalty solely to the nation and the people, not to any religious or political thought or movement.
2. Unifying the Military Discourse Around Common National Values:
   • The military discourse must be unified around national values, such as protecting Syria’s sovereignty, defending its territorial integrity, and safeguarding all of its citizens without discrimination, instead of adopting slogans with religious or sectarian undertones.
3. Strengthening the Professional Military Doctrine:
   • The army’s doctrine should be based on professionalism, discipline, and loyalty to the nation, in accordance with the standards of modern armies, ensuring its stability and keeping it away from internal conflicts or narrow allegiances.
4. Establishing International Partnerships to Support an Independent National Army:
   • We call for building strategic partnerships with countries that support a modern and developed Syrian army, one that adheres to international laws and professional standards, thereby enhancing its legitimacy and providing it with strength and balance in both the local and international arenas.
5. Respecting Diversity Within the Army:
   • The Syrian army should be a model of national unity, encompassing all Syrians regardless of their affiliations, without exclusion or discrimination, thus enhancing everyone’s sense of belonging to it as a protector of the nation, not of any specific belief or movement.

Conclusion:

The Syrian Future Movement believes that establishing a unified national army, free from religious or political ideologization, is a crucial step toward building a stable and advanced state.

Syria’s future requires a modern army that represents all Syrians and does not turn into an institution with a narrow religious or ideological character, as any deviation from this path could lead to the repetition of catastrophic experiences witnessed 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 to move towards a future that strengthens security and stability, and establishes a state that respects everyone and fulfills their aspirations.

Presidency office
Dr. Zaher Baadarani
Article
Syrian Future Movement