All factions in Syria to be dissolved, no mandatory draft: al-Sharaa
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The head of the Military Operations Administration in Syria says the new administration's primary priorities are rebuilding destroyed homes and returning displaced individuals.
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The leader of the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, Ahmad al-Sharaa, aka Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, arrives at the Syrian capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque to address a crowd gathered there on December 8, 2024 (AFP)
Ahmad al-Sharaa, the head of the Military Operations Administration in Syria, revealed a set of decisions currently under review by the country's interim government.
In a press meet on Sunday, al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, confirmed that "there will be no mandatory military conscription, except for certain specialties, which will be obligatory for short periods."
Additionally, increasing salaries by 400% in Syria is being considered, said al-Sharaa, who is also the leader of the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that managed, as part of an alliance, to capture most of the Syrian territory and lead to the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last week.
He pointed out that the primary priorities are rebuilding destroyed homes and returning displaced individuals.
Al-Sharaa also confirmed that all factions in Syria will be dissolved, emphasizing that there will be no weapons in the hands of anyone other than the new Syrian state.
In parallel, the Central Bank of Syria issued a decision allowing importers to finance their imports of permitted goods for domestic consumption, regardless of the foreign currency source used for the financing, unless it contradicts international or local regulations related to money laundering.
We are not looking to engage in conflict with 'Israel': Al-Sharaa
On Saturday, al-Sharaa affirmed that the new Syrian administration has "no intention of confronting Israel."
"We are not looking to engage in a conflict with Israel and cannot bear such a battle," he indicated.
Al-Sharaa claimed that the new Syrian administration has no hostilities with the Iranian people, adding, however, that the toppling of al-Assad's government was "a victory over the dangerous Iranian project in the region."
Commenting on the Russian presence in Syria, al-Sharaa said the new administration could have targeted Russian bases in Syria but chose to give Russia an opportunity to reconsider its relationship with the Syrian people.
He also confirmed that the new Syrian administration is in contact with Western embassies and is holding discussions with Britain about reinstating its representation in the Syrian capital Damascus.
Elsewhere, al-Sharaa said the news Syrian state "should not be governed with a revolutionary mindset, and we need laws and institutions [to this end]."
Read more: UN envoy to Syria urges inclusive political process, end to sanctions
