Syria defense minister says military service to be voluntary
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The Syrian defense minister highlights efforts to restructure the army, restore military institutions, and implement voluntary enlistment.
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Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra (SANA)
Syrian authorities will not allow “anyone to remain outside the authority of the Ministry of Defense,” Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra stressed on Monday.
In an interview for Syrian TV on Monday, Abu Qasra indicated that the presence of weapons outside the authority of the state does not contribute to achieving stability.
Over 130 factions engaged in army integration talks
He said he had met with around 130 factions to discuss the army’s new structure, describing the ministry’s efforts to integrate these groups as “a major success.”
Rebuilding Syrian armed forces
The Syrian defense minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to organizing the armed forces and strengthening institutional work, adding that the authorities in Damascus are working to restore military educational facilities to prepare them for receiving armed forces recruits.
Abu Qasra also noted that officers who defected from the former Syrian army are eager to contribute to rebuilding the armed forces and serving the country, "and we are working to bring them back.”
“We are taking deliberate steps to transition the army from a revolutionary framework to an institutional one,” he pointed out.
The defense minister revealed that some small groups joined the ministry's security forces following a 10-day deadline, hailing what he described as his ministry’s “success in incorporating all factions.”
Read more: Syria overhauls Interior Ministry to 'tackle cybercrime, arms spread'
Voluntary military service to ensure loyalty
He also announced that military service would be voluntary rather than mandatory, “to ensure that only loyal soldiers join its ranks,” and noted a significant interest in volunteering.
Institutionalizing the armed forces
Abu Qasra explained that the ministry has set several criteria for joining the military, including physical fitness, good conduct, and educational qualifications, and confirmed that applications are now being accepted for the military academy following the release of high school exam results.
He emphasized that these measures aim to “restore the army’s fundamental mission of defending the Syrian people.”
Earlier this month, Abu Qasra had announced the integration of “all military units under the Ministry of Defense,” stressing the need for “any remaining small military groups to join within a maximum period of ten days.”
Read more: Syria restructures MoI, overhauls security across 12 provinces
