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.
Ibrahim Kalin meets with Iranian officials in Tehran to discuss security issues, including counterterrorism efforts and developments in Gaza and Syria
‘Our goal is to generate 25,000 new jobs in the technology sector over the next five years and to help Syria build a sustainable tech ecosystem,’ says one of the organizers.
The U.S. Department of Defense is developing plans to withdraw all U.S. troops from Syria, NBC News reported on Wednesday, citing two U.S. defense officials.
Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen expressed hope on Wednesday (February 12) that the United States will continue supporting Ukraine. He made the remarks during a meeting of Ukraine's military allies at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, has been ranked the world’s most polluted city by the Air Quality Index. Thick smog is sparking growing concerns among both residents and visitors.
Thousands of visitors gathered in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, to see the spectacular annual spiritual festival. The streets came alive with elephants, vibrant lights, energetic dancers, and a display of tradition - making it a night to remember.
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) continues to provide stunning insights into the universe.
A fire at a clothing factory in Rio de Janeiro left at least 20 people injured, with some in critical condition. The factory, which makes costumes for samba schools, was preparing for the upcoming Carnival.
The Sarandí stream in Buenos Aires, Argentina, turned bright red on Thursday for unknown reasons, raising concerns among authorities and residents. The waterway, which flows into the Río de la Plata, is under investigation to determine the cause.
Uzbekistan’s flag carrier has announced airline’s plan to purchase a dozen of aircrafts from Boeing and Airbus, marking a significant milestone in upgrading and expanding its fleet.
Azerbaijan has halted activities of “Russian House” in Baku according to local media reports on Thursday, following accusations of espionage. This is being described as an escalation of tensions between the two countries.
Elon Musk has called for the shutdown of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Voice of America (VOA), arguing that the U.S.-funded media outlets serve as government propaganda tools and waste taxpayer money.
Oxford researchers unveil a scalable quantum supercomputer capable of quantum teleportation, paving the way for next-gen tech with enhanced security and computational power.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte supports U.S. President Trump’s call for a more balanced sharing of Ukraine aid between the U.S. and European allies.
The trial of Ruben Vardanyan in Azerbaijan is drawing international attention, as he faces serious charges of war crimes and terrorism, while Ukrainian lawmakers intensify their criticism over his alleged ties to the Kremlin.
On January 20, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sat down for an exclusive interview with China’s CGTN (China Global Television Network) during the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Iran alerted the United Nations on Tuesday to what it called “reckless and inflammatory statements” by former U.S. President Donald Trump, warning that any act of aggression would have “severe consequences.” Iran’s UN envoy urged the Security Council to condemn Trump’s rhetoric.
Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen expressed hope on Wednesday (February 12) that the United States will continue supporting Ukraine. He made the remarks during a meeting of Ukraine's military allies at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, has been ranked the world’s most polluted city by the Air Quality Index. Thick smog is sparking growing concerns among both residents and visitors.
Thousands of visitors gathered in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, to see the spectacular annual spiritual festival. The streets came alive with elephants, vibrant lights, energetic dancers, and a display of tradition - making it a night to remember.
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) continues to provide stunning insights into the universe.
A fire at a clothing factory in Rio de Janeiro left at least 20 people injured, with some in critical condition. The factory, which makes costumes for samba schools, was preparing for the upcoming Carnival.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment