A new security apparatus is coming together in the areas controlled by the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA), with the aim to crack down on the cells affiliated with the Islamic State (IS), the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian government.

The creation of the new security apparatus was first raised in March 2019. With the increasing bombing attacks that affected several cities and towns in northern Syria, the apparatus was bound to be formed.

An FSA military source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, “Defected regime police officers will take over the task of supervising the new security apparatus, which will be independent and whose work will be limited to the security-intelligence side, to pursue cells seeking to undermine stability in the area.”

He said, “The Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch and Peace Spring areas will be divided into nine centers, provided that all of these centers will be subordinate to one central command, which will manage all areas. All the security offices affiliated with the various factions in the area will also be dissolved as they have not achieved the security objectives required of them. Turkey supports this step, given its importance in controlling the security of the area.”