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Reexamining Strategies of Resilience: A Study of the Role and Impact of Pro-Government Militias in the Syrian Civil War

par Hawach, Nanar
Président du jury Sfeir, Jihane
Promoteur Olsson, Christian
Publication Non publié, 2023-09-05

Thèse de doctorat

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Résumé :

This dissertation delves into the role of Pro-Government Militias (PGMs) in bolstering the resilience of the Syrian government throughout the Syrian civil war. Contrary to the prevailing narrative that emphasizes external support and domestic patronage networks as the primary factors behind the Syrian government's endurance, this study posits that PGMs played a more comprehensive role than merely providing "added manpower". Drawing from empirical evidence gathered between 2017 and 2022, the research is structured as an article-based thesis, encompassing four distinct essays that collectively address the overarching question: How did PGMs contribute to the Syrian government’s resilience during the Syrian civil war? The first essay underscores the military effectiveness of PGMs, highlighting their efficient leadership, cohesive units, and adaptability, which compensated for the shortcomings of the regular army. The second essay elucidates the multifaceted strategies employed by PGMs in the government's counterinsurgency campaign, ranging from exemplary force and massacres to amnesty and negotiations. The third essay sheds light on PGMs' economic contributions, revealing how they channeled funds to the government through illicit military business, thereby circumventing sanctions and bolstering the government's financial standing. The concluding essay synthesizes the findings, arguing that PGMs' multifaceted roles enabled the government to adapt to evolving challenges and re-establish its legitimacy.