The White Helmets, the internationally recognised civil defence group known for their emergency response amid Syria'sprolonged conflict, announced on Tuesday that they will be fully absorbed into the Syrian government under the ministry of emergency and disaster management.
The decision, described by the organisation as "historic", came after their 10th annual general assembly, where members agreed on full integration into the government framework.
In a statement, the White Helmets said the move will unify and enhance emergency response efforts nationwide, placing them within an official institutional framework.
"This decision is made in pursuit of the supreme interest of the Syrian people and reflects our commitment to principles signed a decade ago," the statement read.
"Our humanitarian mission goes beyond saving lives during conflict to actively participating in building a stable, prosperous, and peaceful Syria."
At a press conference held at the ministry’s headquarters in Damascus, Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh said the integration aims to strengthen Syria's national emergency response.
He highlighted the ongoing crisis, noting that approximately 140,000 people remain missing in Syria, with reports of mass graves but no definitive statistics on their scale.
As part of the integration, the White Helmets will focus on emergency response, while responsibilities for justice, accountability, and advocacy will shift to relevant government ministries and bodies.
Deputy Minister Hussam Hallaq explained that the Syrian civil defence initially formed from local volunteer teams in areas outside the control of the Assad regime. It was established to meet urgent needs caused by years of bombing, conflict, and disasters.
Speaking to The New Arab's Arabic language edition, Hallaq said the name "White Helmets" came later, after the organisation was nominated for an Oscar and became associated with the distinctive helmet colour worn by its teams.
He described the group's evolution from grassroots volunteering to formal institutionalisation in 2016, overcoming challenges such as funding shortages in 2019.
Following Assad's ousting, Hallaq said the need arose for a specialised emergency ministry to address the increasing number of disasters after years of unrest. The ministry has since developed a national response plan and early warning systems, which he called "an added value" and key to Syria's future.
In December, the White Helmets called for the protection of mass graves, warning against vandalism or exhumations that could destroy crucial forensic evidence or hinder identification of victims.
The group has been widely praised for their first aid work and rapid emergency responses during the conflict. After Assad's removal, White Helmets teams helped with firefighting, clearing war debris, and improving conditions in health and sanitation, enabling displaced people to return home. Some also entered prisons to aid detainees.