Towards a New Phase – The Syrian Military Council – Statement of the Free Alawite Officers

The Syrian Military Council is a project aimed at forming a military body composed of defected officers from the Syrian regime and others still associated with the current military institution. Its purpose is to establish a transitional leadership capable of guiding Syria into a new phase, laying the groundwork for restructuring the Syrian Arab Army in its entirety, and ensuring civil peace and the protection of cultural heritage.

It is no secret to observers that the figure leading this project is Brigadier General Manaf Mustafa Tlass, who defected from the military institution of the Assad regime in July 2012. He is the son of former Defense Minister General Mustafa Tlass, a figure who enjoys relative acceptance on international, regional, and Arab levels.

The idea of establishing the Syrian Military Council emerged publicly several years ago, during which Tlass held meetings with Arab and Western states.
These efforts even led to Russia expressing interest in meeting him and listening to his vision, in addition to his engagement with American security and military figures (outside the U.S.), as well as Turkish diplomats and security officials. Despite speculation at the time that Tlass might be accepted as a successor to Bashar al-Assad, the international community found that notion unrealistic. However, the project of gathering free officers and forming a military council remained on the table, experiencing fluctuating international interest, with its success dependent on achieving practical unification among officers from all sects and ranks.

To date, Manaf Tlass has made notable progress—first, by maintaining a low media profile, unlike many other defected figures, and second, through initial self-funding from his brother, Firas Mustafa Tlass, a prominent businessman and the project’s main backer and initiator.

Indeed, the brigadier has successfully gathered the signatures of dozens—if not hundreds—of officers and non-commissioned officers both inside and outside Syria, as a step toward building an initial core for his “Syrian Military Council”.

A New Phase:

The announcement of the council’s statement, recorded on video and released recently—whether it was filmed in the hills of Suwayda or in the mountains overlooking Qardaha in Latakia, as reported—by individuals identifying themselves as “Free Alawite Officers” supporting the leadership of Manaf Tlass, marks a critical step toward a pivotal phase.

The announcement, made on Friday, August 11, 2023, came just one day after Bashar al-Assad appeared in a televised interview on Sky News Arabia, during which he reaffirmed the political deadlock and his continued commitment to a security-based, repressive approach toward the people and the revolution.
He also effectively buried the Arab initiative for a political solution, as implied by his statements.

Importance of the Free Alawite Officers’ Statement:

The statement by Free Alawite Officers in support of the Syrian Military Council is a significant move toward political transition in Syria. Its impact will echo within the walls of the **Presidential Palace in Damascus**, shaking the confidence of regime officers in their leadership. Although the statement may seem symbolic or media-focused, it is, in reality, a practical and operational step within the structure of the Syrian Military Council, led by a man who, not long ago, was a close confidant of Assad on both personal and institutional levels.

Moreover, establishing secure lines of communication between council officers inside Syria and Tlass abroad will likely encourage other officers—Alawite or otherwise—to follow suit and join the effort, contributing to the structure and formation of the council’s core.

The declaration by Alawite officers stepping away from the regime signals the erosion of fear that has long gripped the Alawite community, as well as other minority groups in Syria who have paid dearly for siding with Bashar al-Assad.

International Signals and Strategic Implications:

It is evident that Brigadier General Manaf Tlass is not working alone, and that the international signal—currently orange—might soon turn green. Signs of covert international support may indicate an emerging environment conducive to the council conducting strategic, high-precision security operations.
Arab League countries may adopt the council as a practical response to the regime’s rejection of the Arab initiative.

The potential involvement of high-ranking military leaders (generals) within the council could prompt international intelligence services to endorse the project, steering it toward goals that align with major global powers—such as the United States—and providing valuable intelligence about the regime's military structure, especially given the current lack of reliable data from inside Syria and the absence of effective coordination with the fragmented Syrian opposition.

Strengths and Alliances:

One of the council’s key strengths lies in its ability to unify ranks without clashing with any faction or group on the ground. It has not presented itself as a rival or replacement to any other force. Notably, the Syrian Military Council participated in the Syrian National Liberation Movement Conference in Afrin on July 28, 2023, held in opposition-controlled territory allied with Turkey—a clear indication of the council’s pragmatic approach toward various actors and authorities.

Its importance also lies in the fact that it offers a non-confrontational solution vis-à-vis the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), should coordination between the two ever become necessary.

Conclusion:

We assess the Syrian Military Council based on the deeds that validate its words, and by its ability to unite free officers from all sects around the core objectives of the Syrian revolution: bringing down Assad’s regime while preserving what remains of the Syrian state and its institutions.

We believe that if the council is successfully established, it must immediately issue clear reassurances to the Syrian people that it is not a precursor to a new military regime disguised in new rhetoric, but rather a transitional body working to ensure the fall of Assad’s regime, unify the military institution, and guarantee a smooth political transition toward a civil, democratic system of governance in Syria.