The Ministry of Defense of the Syrian Interim Government recently announced the merger of several formations within the National Army to create the Renaissance and Liberation Movement. This new entity combines the Samarkand Brigade, Brigade 112, and Glory Corps into the 36th and 37th Divisions under the Third Corps.
Despite rumors of a Syrian Liberation Army consolidation, Ahrar al-Sharqiya Division’s Ziad Khalaf refuted these claims, stating no changes have occurred within the Liberation and Building Movement. The exact number of fighters within the National Army remains uncertain, with estimates ranging from 50,000 to 70,000.
The National Army continues to see mergers and defections within its ranks, striving for reorganization amidst factional conflicts and the intrusion of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham in Aleppo. Recent reports reveal the recruitment of fighters from the National Army for conflicts in West Africa, facilitated by the Sultan Murad Division and backed by Turkey.
Efforts to restructure and strengthen the National Army persist, highlighting ongoing challenges and complexities in the Syrian conflict landscape.