“Shabiha Forever”.. Assad’s Creation, Control, and Use of Militias Since 2011

The report by: Kayla Koontz and Gregory Waters, shows Assad was able to manage a fragmented and decentralized military apparatus, in which warlords were infested, and undermined by a scarcity of resources, all this was by relying on and using pro-regime militias. This report confirms that the central state played a key role in establishing and supporting militias, since the early months of the Syrian Revolution, and the state itself has an essential role in the growth, and control of these “non-governmental” armed groups.
However, the role of these militias in Syria raises serious questions about the country’s political future.
You can read the entire report by clicking on the “Download” tab.
https://www.harmoon.org/?p=36202