SUMMARY
A range of different pro-government militias have been active in the Syrian civil war, both local militias made up of Syrians, and foreign militias made up of predominantly Shia Muslim fighters from Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan. The militias are overseen by the Syrian army and the Syrian intelligence agencies. The foreign militias are trained and financed by Iran. The militias have grown in numbers. In 2016, they were estimated to number as many men in total as the combined Syrian army. Many militias are localized and their main task is to guard and defend local communities in government controlled parts of the country. However, some have engaged in offensive military operations together with the regular army. Recruitment is mostly on a voluntary basis. Recruits are motivated by the prospects of earning a steady monthly salary, the wish to defend their local communities against rebel groups and the possibility to avoid compulsory military service. Many militias are involved in criminal activity and are accused of murder, kidnappings and other kinds of abuse.