Military service evaders resort to settlements in Syria’s Suwayda
SUWAYDA, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian government’s recent decision to seize the assets of those who have failed to complete the country’s compulsory military service have forced those over the age of 42 in the Suwayda region to engage in settlements.
On Saturday, the government’s local conscription office in Damascus announced that those over 42 years old (the upper age limit for completing military service) who have failed to complete their service would have their property seized.
Those over the age of 42 with no assets will have the property of their families or relatives seized, the Payment Office added in a separate statement. Seizures will continue in full force until the individual pays $8,000 to the government.
On Sunday, the government security and military committees in the building of Suwayda governorate made settlements for evaders of both compulsory and reserve military services, as well as those wanted for security reasons.
One man who engaged in a settlement, who preferred to be unnamed, said that dozens of Suwayda young men headed towards the governorate building regarding settlement related to military service and security issues.
“The form includes a pledge not to demonstrate or use anti-Syrian government slogans, and another term stipulates not to carry weapons against government forces,” he added.
About 30,000 young men have evaded both compulsory and reserve military services since 2011, and they are registered in conscription office of their governorate.
The settlement is to join the First Legion in Quneitra, Daraa, and Suwayda after clearing all prosecutions and legal procedures filed against an individual, a source who preferred to stay unnamed said.
Those who made settlements are allowed to move freely within government-held areas until they are informed of the location at which they will be stationed.
Early last year, a Russian delegation in Suwayda made promises to heads of the governorate to settle conditions of those who evaded government military service.