Syria is still facing numerous challenges a year after the toppling of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Among the key priorities for the new government is rebuilding its national army and security forces.For decades, Syria’s security apparatus and the military were considered by many as a brutal force to protect the regime and crack down on dissent.The new interim government has begun the restructuring and recruiting process, focused on rebuilding the armed forces and adopting a new doctrine where loyalty is to the country.“We started the process of restructuring our military and army … and we are meeting the need of the moment by having an army that Syria deserves as a nation to building an army that represents Syria and is able to face the challenges,’’ Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra said during a ceremony for soldiers graduating from a military academy in the city of Aleppo. Syrian army soldiers stand on their armoured personnel carriers during a parade [Hussein Malla/AP Photo]“We will develop all branches of the armed forces and increase our military preparedness and efficiency to protect our nation. And we already issued rules of conduct and discipline,” Abu Qasra said after attending a military march by newly graduating candidates showing off their camouflage uniform and military vehicles and rifles.But analysts warn that the process of rebuilding could be long and difficult, given the challenges tha …
