Shafaq News/ On Monday, SyrianInterim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa announced that “thousands of volunteers” havejoined the new Syrian Army, emphasizing that mandatory conscription has notbeen imposed, and that recruitment remains “strictly voluntary.”
Al-Sharaa made the announcement in apodcast interview with Alastair Campbell, former spokesperson for British PrimeMinister Tony Blair, and Rory Stewart, a former UK Conservative minister.During the interview, he called on the West to lift sanctions on Syria, arguingthat “visitors to Damascus widely agree on the need for their removal.” Hewarned that the country faces significant security challenges, stressing that “economicgrowth is essential for stability, and without development, Syria risks furtherchaos and insecurity.”
He also addressed the issue of compulsorymilitary service, noting that many young Syrians had fled the country in pastyears to “escape forced conscription under the previous regime.” Militaryservice had been a major concern for Syrians since the conflict began in 2011,which resulted in over half a million deaths and drove many into exile.
Since taking office on January 29,the new administration has enacted sweeping military reforms, including the dissolutionof all armed opposition factions, the dismantling of the former army andsecurity apparatus, and the establishment of centers to process the status ofdischarged soldiers.
The administration is also engagedin negotiations with Kurdish forces, who have controlled large areas innortheastern Syria for several years, but Al-Sharaa reaffirmed his government'sfirm opposition to “federal division of the country.”
Notably, before the war, the SyrianArmy had an estimated 300,000 combat troops, but half its forces were lost dueto battle casualties, desertions, and defections. Despite receiving militarybacking from Iran, affiliated parties, and Russia, the former regime collapsedrapidly in November following a surprise offensive led by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham.
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