Syria Opens First Military Settlement Center for Former Assad Soldiers and Police

DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Syria’s new transitional government opened the first military settlement center in Damascus on Saturday, aimed at former soldiers, officers, policemen, clerks, and units who served under the Assad regime. The center, located in the former headquarters of the “Al-Baath” Party in the Al-Mazza district, has already processed hundreds of requests from individuals seeking to resolve their military status.

An official from the military operations department of the transitional government, who oversees the settlement center, explained the procedure’s workflow: “Each person receives a document and a serial number upon registration. Their data, along with any standard-issue equipment they may still possess, is sent to the corresponding office. After review, the individual is informed of a specific date to return and receive their updated civil ID card.”

Efficient and Fair Process

Mustafa Ajaj, a former Brigadier General in Assad’s army, described the settlement process as “smooth and straightforward.” He emphasized the absence of nepotism and noted that every applicant is processed based on their assigned queue number.

“Each one registers their name and data, and then the procedure follows without any obstacles or favoritism,” Ajaj added.

Lilian Salih, a former clerk in Assad’s military, echoed this sentiment. “I came to resolve my status and submitted all my information. They asked me to return on Saturday to receive my civil ID card,” she said.

A Symbolic Step Forward

The settlement center represents a significant move by the transitional government to integrate former regime members into the evolving political and military landscape of Syria. This process seeks to foster national reconciliation by addressing the military and civil statuses of those who served in Assad’s regime.

While the center has only just begun its operations, its opening has already garnered significant attention from former regime personnel, reflecting the broad interest in moving forward under the new administration.

This initiative is seen as a step towards establishing trust and collaboration between former regime affiliates and the transitional authorities, further aiding the country’s stabilization efforts post-conflict.