Dissent and defections within Syria’s army

New intelligence reports suggest more Syrian armed forces troops, particularly from the country’s Alawite sect, are leaving the regular rank-and-file to join unofficial pro-regime militias. These so-called “popular committees” or “national defence” groups are estimated to account for between 300,000 and 500,000 soldiers now fighting inside Syria. A detailed report by Reuters shows these National Defence Forces (NDF) have grown in popularity as divisions between Alawite officers and Sunni soldiers grow. Christian and Druze fighters have also began to join the NDF. A 35-year-old military commander, speaking on condition of anonymity, spoke to Arabstoday in a telephone conversation from Damascus. “After the outbreak of the conflict, our leadership began to lose confidence in the army and its effectiveness on the ground,” he says. “The Syrian army was weakening and large numbers of soldiers began to join militias instead. This is how the idea of the NDF came about.” Popular committees began cruising neighbourhoods until they gained legal status as the NDF in late 2012. Militias loyal to Damascus – otherwise known as the “shabiha” (ghosts) – have become dominated by a sectarian intent, sparking panic in the hearts of Syria’s Sunni majority, who accuse them of committing massacres against Sunni civilians. These militia underwent a process of reorganisation. However the formation of military forces parallel to the regime army could have dangerous consequences in a conflict that has already claimed the lives of over 70,000 people, displacing millions more. Minorities tend to prefer joining NDF groups instead of volunteering in the regular army, which consists of mostly Sunnis. Most NDF fighters are Alawites, with Christian and Druze now joining the ranks too. NDF headquarters can be found in cities across Syria currently under government control. Troops are paid monthly salaries and training takes between two weeks to a month, depending on each unit’s objectives and requirements. Syria’s armed opposition control most border areas in the north and south of the country, while the NDF spread across the country with no particular foothold or base. For the army, localised militia forces have several advantages because they know areas well. An officer in Homs, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said the military’s role is limited to logistics and training while NDF fighters run the show on the ground.