Damascus: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated in a recent interview that 'thousands' of individuals are joining the newly formed Syrian army following the fall of Bashar al-Assad and the disbandment of his military forces.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, President al-Sharaa explained during 'The Rest is Politics' podcast, hosted by Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, that he decided against mandatory conscription in favor of voluntary enlistment. He noted the significant turnout in response to this approach.
Since December, when al-Assad's regime was overthrown, Syrian authorities have dismantled the former military and security infrastructure. New centers have been established to manage the integration of personnel who previously served under the ousted government.
In the early years of Syria's civil war, the military reportedly lost about half of its 300,000 troops due to casualties, defections, and draft evasion. The military's survival depended heavily on support from Russia, Iran, and groups like Lebanon's Hezbollah. However, as this support waned, the army collapsed amid an offensive led by al-Sharaa's group, 'Hayat Tahrir al-Sham' (HTS).
Appointed interim president last month, al-Sharaa mentioned that many young men had left Syria to avoid compulsory military service. He also highlighted that several defected officers are now rejoining the current defense ministry.
The new Syrian authorities plan to incorporate armed groups into the national army amid ongoing security challenges. Conflicts continue between pro-Turkish fighters and the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northeast.
Al-Sharaa has called for the lifting of sanctions imposed during al-Assad's regime, arguing there is no longer a justification for them. He emphasized the need for economic growth as a means to achieve stability and prevent further chaos.
The Syrian conflict, which began in 2011, has resulted in over 500,000 deaths and displaced millions. Al-Sharaa has been actively engaging with various media outlets to discuss Syria's path forward, stressing the importance of economic development in addressing security issues.