Syria has transitioned from mandatory conscription to voluntary military service, a move that has led to a surge in new enlistments. The policy change comes under the new Syrian administration, which has ruled the country since December, following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s government.
Interim Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa confirmed the shift during a podcast interview with Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, stating that compulsory service has been replaced with voluntary recruitment. He also announced plans for a constitutional declaration to guide Syria’s political transition.
Why Does a New Volunteer Model Matter?
Under Assad’s rule, many Syrian men fled conscription, seeking refuge in Lebanon, Jordan, and Türkiye. The military’s strength was significantly reduced due to casualties, defections, and draft-dodging, shrinking from 300,000 soldiers to nearly half that number.
While Syria’s economy remains fragile, some exiled Syrians may return to enlist, particularly if the military shifts towards a civilian-led structure. In January, the Defense Ministry held discussions with military leaders on integrating various factions into the armed forces.
Who Will Be Syria’s New Defense Partners?
During his February visit to Türkiye, President Al-Sharaa met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss border security and counterterrorism. Reports suggest Ankara is considering establishing two air bases in Syria and has proposed training Syrian soldiers.
While no formal defense pact has been signed, Turkish officials have left open the possibility of future military cooperation. If an agreement is reached, Syria could benefit from NATO-style military training through Türkiye, which is a NATO member.
As Syria rebuilds its defense institutions, President Sharaa faces a critical challenge—securing partnerships while maintaining Syria’s stability and neutrality in a region often shaped by international power struggles.
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Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 25th May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The World Health Organization warned on Monday that the fast-moving Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda was outpacing response efforts, with 220 suspected deaths reported so far.
As dawn broke on Monday, pilgrims began arriving at the sacred site of Mina west of Mecca, marking the start of Hajj - one of the most significant spiritual journeys in Islam.
The UK is experiencing potentially record-breaking temperatures after forecasters confirmed some areas reached highs close to 34°C on Monday.
A Palestinian shepherd says her family’s Eid al-Adha preparations were destroyed after dozens of sheep were allegedly stolen in a pre-dawn raid in the occupied West Bank, leaving her without both a religious sacrifice and her family’s main source of income.
Armenia’s upcoming elections are emerging as a defining geopolitical test, amid growing debate over the country’s future direction between Russia and the West, rising regional pressure, energy dependence concerns and shifting security alliances.
Shortly after nine o’clock on Tuesday morning (26 May), a sleek white train eased into Tbilisi’s central railway station, a couple of minutes behind schedule, carrying passengers from Baku for the first time since 2020.
A Turkish court ruling reinstating former CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu triggered fresh unrest on Sunday (24 May), as riot police stormed the opposition party’s Ankara headquarters amid an escalating political crisis that critics say threatens democratic norms in Türkiye.
For the first time in decades, Armenia has rail access to the EU. The Akhalkalaki–Kars corridor, running through Georgia into Türkiye, is now officially open for Armenian cargo - a quiet but consequential shift in the region’s economic geography.
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