Pentagon reveals fragility of transitional government forces, presence of "terrorism" in Syria

An assessment prepared by the Pentagon for members of the US Congress revealed that the so-called "New Syrian Army" affiliated with the transitional government in Syria lacks a cohesive organizational structure and relies on a fragile and fragmented alliance comprising leaders from Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) and several "extremist Sunni militias."

The report showed that groups designated as dangerous by Washington, such as the Guardians of Religion Organization, have regained significant influence in Damascus despite announcing their dissolution after the fall of the Assad regime. They continue to influence the transitional government's policies, despite previous disagreements between them and Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham.

Strengthening the Influence of the Syrian Democratic Forces

The detailed report, which consists of approximately 70 pages, indicates that the Pentagon has expressed caution regarding expanding the transitional government's powers or increasing its resources. The report suggests that this situation will likely strengthen the influence of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northeast of the country, granting them greater autonomy than ever before.

The report indicates a shift in the US position away from supporting the idea of integrating the SDF with Damascus to ease the burden of protecting it from Turkish threats, emphasizing that preserving the SDF serves US national security interests. The report also clarified that Israel is leaning toward expanding the safety zone on its border with Syria, and perhaps controlling parts of southern Syria, bringing it closer to the capital, Damascus.

Congressional Concerns and Sanctions

The report raised concerns within Congress about any easing of sanctions imposed on Damascus, making it difficult for the US administration to renew exemptions or allow the implementation of economic memoranda of understanding signed by the transitional government with certain countries.

A report published by Al-Monitor revealed that some followers of the Guardians of Religion Organization are seeking "influence within the new government in Damascus."

According to estimates by US Defense Intelligence Agency officials, groups linked to al-Qaeda continue to operate with a degree of autonomy under the auspices of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, giving former Guardians of Religion mercenaries freedom of movement and the ability to influence the policies of the transitional government in Syria.

The report indicated that US Special Operations Forces have killed dozens of Guardians of Religion mercenaries in drone strikes in northwestern Syria since the group's founding in 2016.

Although Guardians of Religion announced its dissolution after Sharaa came to power in Damascus late last year, all of its members remained outside the operational control of the new administration, nearly seven months after the overthrow of the Baath regime.

The report confirmed continued concerns in Washington about Sharaa's inner circle, even as the US military reduces its presence in Syria and Iraq.

Last May, the transitional government in Syria appointed mercenary Ahmed Ihsan Fayyad al-Hayes as commander of the 86th Army Division, responsible for Deir ez-Zor, Hasaka, and Raqqa.

The United States imposed sanctions on al-Hayes in 2021, accusing him of committing war crimes against Syrian minorities. The US State Department described his appointment at the time as "a serious mistake that the United States does not support."

Last June, Washington's envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, confirmed that the US administration had limited itself to monitoring the activities of foreign fighters and sharing intelligence on them, after withdrawing its demand that al-Sharaa expel all fighters

Sh-S

ANHA