Syria’s new governing authorities are incorporating Islamic principles into the training of a nascent police force, a strategy that officers claim is intended to foster a sense of ethics as they strive to address a security void left by the dismantling of the notoriously corrupt and brutal security apparatus of ousted president Bashar al-Assad.

Police officers relocated to Damascus from their previous rebel stronghold in the northwestern Idlib region are inquiring about applicants’ beliefs and emphasizing Islamic sharia law during the limited training provided to recruits, as reported by five senior officers.

For the Sunni Muslim Islamists, establishing stability and gaining the trust of the Syrian populace will be essential to solidifying their authority. However, prioritizing religion in law enforcement could exacerbate divisions in a diverse nation that has been heavily armed following 13 years of civil conflict, potentially alienating foreign governments they are attempting to engage, according to regional analysts.

“There are many Syrians who will find this concerning,” stated Aron Lund, a fellow at Century International, a think tank focused on the Middle East, in response to Reuters’ findings. “This concern extends beyond minorities—such as Christians, Alawites, and Druze—to a significant number of Sunni Muslims in urban areas like Damascus and Aleppo, where a considerable secular and cosmopolitan population exists that is not inclined towards religious law.”

The religious basis of the police training is also raising questions among Western governments regarding the potential influence of Islam in Syria’s constitution, which the current ruling faction plans to amend, according to a diplomat who requested anonymity. “It’s not a good sign, but it also depends on how strictly it will be implemented,” the diplomat remarked to Reuters.

Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has attempted to reassure Western officials and Middle Eastern governments concerned about their own Islamist movements that his faction has severed its previous connections to al-Qaeda and will govern with moderation, including the protection of minority groups.

The organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has demonstrated a pragmatic approach, often retreating from the strict enforcement of certain interpretations of Islamic law in the territories it governed during the conflict.

Inquiries directed to Syria’s Interior Ministry, responsible for police oversight, and the Information Ministry regarding the emphasis on religious elements in police recruitment and training, as well as potential plans to integrate Islamic law into the legal framework, went unanswered.

Senior police officials interviewed by Reuters clarified that the goal was not to impose religious law on the populace but to instill ethical conduct among recruits. Hamza Abu Abdel Rahman, who played a role in establishing the police academy in Idlib before moving to Damascus, emphasized that a grasp of religious principles, including “what is permissible and what is not,” is essential for recruits to “act justly.”

DISBANDMENT OF POLICE

The various security forces under Assad were notorious for their oppressive and exploitative practices, which included the arrest of dissidents who often faced torture or death, as well as extorting bribes for minor offenses.

The public’s resentment towards these forces became apparent in the aftermath of Assad’s ousting on December 8, when many police stations in the capital were looted, leading to the destruction or theft of equipment and records.

Currently, police officials report that approximately half of the 20 police stations have reopened, albeit with a significantly reduced staff of around 10 officers each, primarily sourced from Idlib, compared to the previous staffing levels of 100-150 officers.

In late December, Reuters observed a small group of weary officers at three different stations grappling with a multitude of challenges, ranging from widespread crime complaints to a garbage collector who had discovered two bags of hand grenades on the street. Following the rebels’ takeover, they declared the dissolution of Assad’s Interior Ministry and security forces, including the police.

Hesham Hilal, who is overseeing training programs for recruits at a police academy in Damascus, reported that over 200,000 individuals have expressed interest in joining the new police service being established. Senior officers informed Reuters that police who defected to the rebel side prior to Assad’s downfall are encouraged to apply for the new force.

Those who remained loyal have been instructed to undergo a “reconciliation” process, which involves signing a document acknowledging the regime change and surrendering their firearms. It remains uncertain whether any of these individuals will be permitted to join the new police force.

Seven officers responsible for managing police stations or recruitment indicated a need for additional personnel and welcomed applications from individuals of all faiths. However, the emphasis on sharia law has deterred some potential applicants.

A 45-year-old Christian, formerly part of Assad’s traffic police, stated he would not seek a position in the new force even if given the opportunity. Speaking anonymously for safety reasons, he expressed concerns that even those in minor roles like his would be perceived as part of Assad’s regime, and he feared that the focus on Islamic law would lead to discrimination against individuals of different faiths.

In December, hundreds of residents participated in a demonstration in Damascus advocating for secular governance and equal rights for women. “No one is against Islam, but we are certainly against a religious rule based on specific texts and hadiths,” remarked participant Ali al-Aqabani when questioned about the implementation of sharia in policing. Although Aqabani, 50, identifies as Muslim, he emphasized that Damascus is “diverse in its sects and doctrines.”

Syria’s new leadership faces an urgent need to rapidly train police forces, as the remnants of Assad’s military have “evaporated completely, and stability is a significant concern,” according to Lund from Century International. “Utilizing familiar methods may be the most straightforward approach to address this challenge.”

In Idlib, where HTS has held sway since 2017, the group initially conducted patrols to impose strict Islamist standards on public conduct, noted Aaron Zelin, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

A 2021 report from a U.N. commission of inquiry revealed that women were detained for traveling without a male relative or for wearing immodest clothing. However, these morality patrols were later reduced in frequency due to local discontent, Zelin explained.

HTS leader Sharaa has criticized a rigid enforcement of public behavior, yet the coalition he leads includes factions perceived as more extreme, which raises concerns among minority groups.

THE NEW FORCE

The extent of the challenges facing the new police force was vividly illustrated during Reuters’ visit to police stations in December. At the Damascus police directorate, as well as at the Marja and Kafr Sousa stations, the environment was chaotic, with rooms cluttered with paperwork, shattered glass, discarded uniforms, ammunition, and damaged furniture.

While some officers managed to clear a few areas for operational use, essential equipment like computers and telephones had been stolen. Outside the Marja and Kafr Sousa stations, police vehicles were found with broken windows and flat tires.

At the Damascus directorate, the newly appointed police chief, Basel Faoury, along with operations head Abu Ahmed al-Sukkar, reported that they had scarcely rested since their arrival from Idlib.

Sukkar had a mattress leaning against a cupboard as he was sleeping in his office. During the two hours that Reuters was present, at least 20 individuals came in with various requests, issues, or complaints.

One businessman sought approval to engage a private security firm to safeguard his restaurants and shopping malls from theft. Others requested permission to establish neighborhood watch groups. The police indicated that they were generally supportive of these initiatives for the time being but would not permit such groups to carry firearms.

All senior officers interviewed by Reuters expressed optimism about an increase in staffing levels and the reopening of more police stations as recruitment and training efforts ramp up this year.

On January 14, the Damascus academy marked the graduation of approximately 500 police cadets, who showcased their new black uniforms in front of their instructors. When Reuters visited in December, a line of about a dozen men was waiting at the academy’s entrance to apply for positions in the police force.

Among them was 19-year-old Zakaria al-Hiji from Deir al-Zor, who mentioned his discontent with Assad’s regime but expressed a positive impression of the new authorities. He noted that his cousins, already employed by HTS, had informed him that the police offered competitive salaries.

Application forms reviewed by Reuters include a section on “beliefs, orientations, and opinions,” where prospective recruits are asked to identify their “referential authority,” a term often associated with influential Muslim religious leaders recognized by various sects.

Religion has traditionally been included in identity documents in Syria; however, under Assad’s regime, it was uncommon to specify the particular school of thought. Three officials from HTS, who requested anonymity due to their lack of authorization to speak with the media, indicated that the inquiry aims to identify applicants requiring closer examination, particularly Alawites, who share the same sect as Assad and may have connections to his administration.

Houmaida Antara al-Matar, who was conducting interviews with police defectors seeking to regain their former positions at the Damascus academy, described the question as “merely a routine inquiry” and emphasized that it was not meant to discriminate against any religion or sect, including Alawites.

New recruits are currently undergoing only 10 days of training, primarily focused on weapons handling and Islamic law, according to trainers and recent graduates who spoke to Reuters. Once security conditions improve, there are plans to extend the training period to nine months, utilizing a system that was implemented by the rebels in Idlib, as explained by Ahmed Latouf, who previously led the police academy in the former rebel territory before becoming the police chief in Aleppo.

The religious education provided to recruits encompasses the fundamentals of Islamic jurisprudence, the life of Prophet Mohammad, and ethical guidelines, as stated by Latouf in a phone conversation from Aleppo. Ayman Abu Taleb, the head of the Marja police station in Damascus, expressed concern that many Syrians might perceive HTS as extremists and reject their authority. Nevertheless, he noted that he did not see why their emphasis on Islam should be problematic. “The religion that respects human rights the most is Islam,” he asserted.