A number of rebel factions agreed to dissolve and be integrated under the defense ministry, according to the Syrian state-run news service. Trying to establish a single national military is the latest step to consolidate control by the fighters who overthrew the country’s leader, Bashar al-Assad.

Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa reached an agreement with former rebel faction chiefs to dissolve all groups and consolidate them under the defence ministry.

Sham, said all fighters should be incorporated into the Defense Ministry and that “everyone will be subject to the law.”

As the fighters who ousted Bashar al-Assad set out to assert control over the country, they pursued former government forces loyal to the Assad regime, resulting in deadly clashes in parts of the country.

Syria's new leaders announced on Tuesday that they had reached an agreement with the country's rebel groups on their dissolution and integration under the defense ministry. Absent from the meeting were representatives of the United States-backed,