Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has directed Defense Minister General Ali Abbas to inaugurate the first recruitment center in Damascus, following the completion of network connections with relevant ministries and institutions. The center, which began a trial run in April, will handle all recruitment requirements including military service registration, deferments, exemptions, alternative payment, travel permits, and more. This networking with governmental institutions such as the General Directorate of Civil Status, the Immigration and Passport Administration, and the Ministries of Education and Finance is intended to save time and effort for citizens.
During his tour of the center’s halls and after reviewing the recruitment services provided to the citizens, the Syrian Defense Minister emphasized the importance of launching the center at the highest service level. He highlighted the ease and immediacy with which services can be accessed, particularly beneficial given the center’s central location in Damascus Governorate.
The Syrian military, alongside its allies, has been involved in intense escalations, particularly in northwest Syria, leading to significant civilian casualties and displacement. These military actions have targeted residential neighborhoods and vital infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and displacement camps, contributing to a humanitarian crisis that has persisted for over a decade.
The military involvement of external actors like Russia and the involvement of various factions within Syria, such as the Syrian National Army and the Syrian Democratic Forces, complicate the internal dynamics. The Syrian National Army, supported by Turkey, has faced allegations of severe human rights abuses, including recruitment of child soldiers. The Syrian Democratic Forces, on the other hand, while being a key U.S.-backed entity in the northeast, have also been involved in practices such as arbitrary detention and recruitment of children.
On the diplomatic front, attempts to address these issues have seen mixed results. The UN has called for de-escalation and protection of civilians, emphasizing the critical state of the humanitarian situation in Syria, where airstrikes and military operations continue to impact heavily on the civilian population.
