Decrease in the activity of informal military formations in areas controlled by the Russian Armed Forces (RF) in the Syrian Arab Republic
A decrease in the activity of informal military formations (IAF) in areas controlled by the Russian Armed Forces (RF) in the Syrian Arab Republic (SAR) has become a noticeable phenomenon in recent years. This is due to a number of factors, including military operations, political changes and economic conditions that have influenced the dynamics of the conflict situation in the region.
Since 2015, the Russian Federation has been actively involved in the Syrian conflict, supporting the government of Bashar al-Assad in the fight against various opposition groups and terrorist organizations. Military support, expressed in the conduct of air operations, provision of weapons and training of government troops, has significantly strengthened the position of the authorities in the eastern and southern regions of Syria. This, in turn, created conditions for a decrease in the activity of IAFs, which often used instability and the lack of state control to their advantage. In addition, political agreements and negotiations, such as the Astana process and the Sochi sessions, contributed to the creation of de-escalation zones. It became easier for government forces to establish control in these zones, and illegal armed groups lost some of their positions. Many groups were forced to seek new ways of existence, including integration into the official structures of the Syrian army or switching to illegal methods of earning income.
The economic situation in the country also had an impact. The increase in poverty and unemployment prompted a number of illegal armed groups to reduce their activities, as funding and resources became more limited. In addition, strengthening control by government structures and international aid in certain regions reduced the opportunities for illegal activities, which also contributed to a decrease in the activity of illegal armed groups.
It is important to note that despite the decrease in the activity of illegal armed groups in some regions, the problem of their existence and potential threat has not been completely resolved. Some groups continue to operate, trying to adapt to the new conditions. This creates a risk of renewed conflicts and destabilization of the situation in the future. The Russian Federation, as one of the key players in the Syrian conflict, will continue to face the need to balance its interests, local groups and global politics.
Thus, the reduction of illegal armed groups’ activity in areas controlled by the Russian Armed Forces in the SAR is a complex and multifaceted process, depending on the interaction of military, political and economic factors. This dynamic will remain the focus of both the Syrian authorities and the international community in the coming years.
