In a significant step toward strengthening security and stability in Syria’s liberated northern regions, the Ministry of the Interior of the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG) celebrated the graduation of its first class of officers and non-commissioned officers from the Police College in Idlib. The college, the first of its kind in the liberated north, was opened in the fall of last year.
The ceremony, held on Wednesday, marks the culmination of nine months of intensive training for officers, and four months for non-commissioned officers, underscoring the region’s ongoing efforts to develop its institutions and professional cadres. It was attended by notables of the region, the families of the graduates as well as many members of the SSG’s ministries and auxiliary administrative and advisory staff.
Ahmad Zaidan, a journalist and political analyst who attended the ceremony, described it as a milestone for the region. “A new edifice for the liberated northern Syrian edifices,” Zaidan said. “Graduation of the first batch of police officers and security personnel in the presence of the Prime Minister, ministers, the Chairman of the Shura Council, members of the Council, and leaders and dignitaries of the liberated area, amidst dazzling displays of procedural police work from drug detection to the pursuit of suspects. The exhibition concluded with the revolutionary oath… Thank you to everyone who sows such seeds in the liberated area so we may soon reap the benefits…”
The ceremony, featured military parades and demonstrations of the graduates’ training exercises and policing methods. The flags of the SSG, the Ministry of Interior, and the Syrian revolution were prominently displayed during the event.
Motaz Nasser, another political analyst present at the event, praised the organization and professionalism on display. “The ceremony was wonderful in terms of discipline and organization, and the supervisors dedicated themselves to honoring the guests,” Nasser remarked. “The heroic graduates excelled in the segments they presented, which reflects the professionalism of training and mastery of tasks, and heralds a new era of professional security work based on the tolerant Sharia and disciplined by fair law.”
The graduating class, named in honor of Martyr Khalil al-Bair, a prominent security official from Raqqa who died in the February 2023 earthquake, included 300 officers and non-commissioned officers. These graduates will soon be deployed across the region to serve in various police units, stations, and traffic centers, contributing to the broader goal of enhancing public safety.
Zaidan also highlighted the broader implications of the event, noting the potential for the region’s efforts to inspire hope across the country. He posited that such “professional displays from a graduating batch of officers and security personnel in the SSG in liberated northern Syria show that eyes will remain on the occupied Syrian cities of Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, Daraa, Deir Ezzor, Latakia, and other cities.” He was hopeful that, “The Levant will return to its original people, no matter how long it takes, and how much falsehood runs rampant and crime and occupation spread.”
Nasser also emphasized the attention to security and safety during the event. “The honorable organizers of the ceremony took into account the safety factor in holding it, as its date was changed several times, and the guests were transported in an organized manner, at an early and specific time,” he noted. “With the activation of security and safety procedures regarding drones and security breaches, and with all this pressure, they did not forget to smile and celebrate with everyone who attended, so may God reward them with all good.”
The Police College established in December 2022 by a decree from the SSG, officially opened its doors to students after a year of planning and preparation, reflecting a strategic move to formalize and expand the training of police personnel in the region. Since then, the institution has quickly become a cornerstone of the region’s efforts to build a capable and professional security force.
Interior Minister Muhammad Abd al-Rahman emphasized the college’s role in the region’s development, stating, “The Police College is not just a training ground; it is a scientific edifice contributing to the advancement of security in the liberated areas. Our mission is to maintain security and safety for our people, which remains our utmost priority.”
The establishment of the institution and the graduation of its first class signify a trend of institutional development in northern Syria, where efforts are being made to professionalize various sectors, with a particular focus on security. As the region continues to rebuild and stabilize, the presence of a well-trained and responsive police force is expected to play a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens.
 celebrated the graduation of its first class of officers and non-commissioned officers from the Police College in Idlib.){kind=link}