The fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime in Syria has left behind a fragmented and demoralized military, with the collapse largely driven by corruption, mass desertions, and a crippling reliance on foreign allies. A Reuters’ investigation, based on interviews with senior Syrian officers, deserters, Iraqi militia commanders, and Hezbollah sources, paints a stark picture of the disintegration of Syria's armed forces and the loss of their ability to maintain control over the country.

The sources, including intelligence documents discovered in a Damascus military office, describe how the once powerful Syrian military has been hollowed out by years of war. Troops, demoralized and poorly paid, became increasingly reliant on Iranian and Hezbollah forces to compensate for their weakening position. As Assad’s military command structure became more dependent on Iranian military advisors and their affiliated militias, the Syrian army lost its operational effectiveness.

However, in recent months, foreign support has begun to decrease. Following Israeli airstrikes on Damascus earlier this year, many Iranian military advisors left Syria. By October, Hezbollah fighters, who had played a crucial role in Assad’s military operations, also withdrew to focus on the escalating war with Israel in Lebanon. This withdrawal, coupled with the loss of operational command from both Iranian and Hezbollah forces, crippled the Syrian military's ability to coordinate its defense, particularly in key cities like Aleppo. Russian forces, once a key ally, were unable to provide the necessary support on the ground as their focus shifted to broader geopolitical concerns. Even Iraq's militias, which had been instrumental in fighting rebels, struggled to organize without coordination from Iranian military advisors.

The fall of Aleppo in late November, with little resistance, was a clear indication of the military’s disintegration. As one Syrian officer explained, troops were given no clear plan of action, leaving them to either improvise or retreat. The lack of cohesion within the military was further compounded by rampant corruption and low morale across the ranks. With no clear orders or cohesion, the army lost control of the city, sending shockwaves through the ranks. Deserters, already a growing problem within the army, escalated as soldiers abandoned their posts, and many officers continued to collect salaries while leaving their units undermanned.

Reuters’ sources revealed that by 2020, the Syrian army had been reduced to 130,000 personnel, a significant depletion from its earlier numbers. Once a formidable fighting force, the military had been transformed into a militia-like organization focused primarily on internal security. The economic collapse exacerbated the situation, with soldiers’ pay failing to keep up with hyperinflation. Officers were also demoralized, with reports of rampant corruption and wealth accumulation among Assad’s inner circle while the general populace suffered.

For mid-ranking officers, the failure of the army to deliver better pay or working conditions after years of sacrifices became a major point of contention. While the government had raised military salaries in an attempt to curb inflation, the country’s economy continued to spiral out of control, with the Syrian pound crashing and the cost of living skyrocketing. Officers, frustrated by their inability to improve their lives despite years of fighting, increasingly turned against the regime.

Corruption was rampant at all levels of the military, with officers accused of selling supplies and stealing resources. The military’s inability to feed its soldiers or provide adequate equipment was one of the key factors that contributed to their disillusionment.

As desertions became widespread, soldiers were reportedly bribing officers to be let off duty, and entire units were left undermanned. Many soldiers, fed up with the worsening conditions, simply abandoned their posts, often changing into civilian clothes and leaving the battlefield. Videos circulating online showed soldiers walking away from their positions, and in some cases, entire bases were abandoned. By the time the regime's collapse was imminent in early December, reports from U.S. officials confirmed widespread defections and a dramatic shift in military allegiance, with some soldiers fleeing to Iraq.