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.
The World Bank has said it's approved more than $1 billion in new funding to support rebuilding efforts and infrastructure development in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague to discuss key regional and global issues.
At least 20 people were killed and more than 50 injured after a suicide bomber attacked a church in central Damascus, Syria’s capital, on Sunday, officials confirmed.
Switzerland has announced the lifting of a wide array of economic sanctions on Syria, including measures targeting the country’s central bank. The move follows a series of international steps aimed at supporting Syria’s recovery after the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
More than 2 million Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons have returned to their homes since December, according to the UN refugee agency, which emphasized the urgent need for a political resolution to prevent renewed instability.
Kazakhstan will create six new nature conservation institutions to preserve biodiversity, aiming to increase protected territories to 12.5% of the national area.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov downplayed NATO’s new 5% defence spending target, saying it won’t have a major impact on Russia’s security and accusing the alliance of exaggerating the threat his country poses.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov’s first visit to Malaysia in 30 years sealed a raft of deals on energy, halal industry and tourism. Both nations say the trip launches a “strategic partnership” to match their fast-growing economies.
Germany will halt funding for Mediterranean migrant rescue missions, redirecting aid to conflict-hit regions like Sudan, in a move critics warn will worsen the humanitarian crisis at sea.
Kazakhstan’s industrial sector grew by 6.4% year-on-year in the first five months of 2025, driven by increased oil production and strong performance in manufacturing, according to Halyk Finance.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
Kazakhstan will create six new nature conservation institutions to preserve biodiversity, aiming to increase protected territories to 12.5% of the national area.
Kazakhstan’s industrial sector grew by 6.4% year-on-year in the first five months of 2025, driven by increased oil production and strong performance in manufacturing, according to Halyk Finance.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that any future U.S. attack would trigger strikes on American bases in the region, marking his first public remarks since the Iran-Israel ceasefire.
Turkmen and Russian foreign ministers met in Ashgabat on 25 June and signed a bilateral cooperation program for 2025–2026, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening political and economic ties.
Kazakhstan's e-commerce sector has soared to 3.2 trillion tenge (around 6.2 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, marking a sevenfold increase since 2020, according to Deputy Prime Minister Serik Jumanğarin.
Kazakhstan will create six new nature conservation institutions to preserve biodiversity, aiming to increase protected territories to 12.5% of the national area.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov downplayed NATO’s new 5% defence spending target, saying it won’t have a major impact on Russia’s security and accusing the alliance of exaggerating the threat his country poses.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov’s first visit to Malaysia in 30 years sealed a raft of deals on energy, halal industry and tourism. Both nations say the trip launches a “strategic partnership” to match their fast-growing economies.
Germany will halt funding for Mediterranean migrant rescue missions, redirecting aid to conflict-hit regions like Sudan, in a move critics warn will worsen the humanitarian crisis at sea.
Kazakhstan’s industrial sector grew by 6.4% year-on-year in the first five months of 2025, driven by increased oil production and strong performance in manufacturing, according to Halyk Finance.
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